FELLOWSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF PINE HILLS

Dr. Arthur D. Sims, Sr. was born March 22, 1944 in Oglethorpe County, Maxeys, Georgia to
the parents of the Rev. James H. Sims, Sr. and Sarah E. Sims.

His father was a legendary pastor and his mother was a gifted singer. Being the second of six 
children, he came from a very close-knitted family. Rev. Sims gave his life to Christ at the age of 
five by uniting with Oconee Baptist Church and was baptized by the Rev. J. C. Williams.

For the first nine years of his life, he was raised on a 162 acres farm and thereby knew the 
discipline of farm life. His mother prepared him well for school as he entered Oconee Elementary 
School at the age of five and began his studies in the second grade.  At Oconee, he soon became 
known for his gift of singing and academic achievement.

At the age of nine, the family moved to Athens, GA, where he enrolled in the Union Baptist 
Institute, a private and public school.

He united with the Ebenezer Baptist Church West under the leadership of Rev. J. C. Sanders. At 
Ebenezer he led the youth choir.

He soon enrolled at Athens High Industrial School where he was a soloist for the school’s chorus 
and graduated an honor student and ranked number five in his class of 105. He received the 
principal’s award from Professor H. T. Edwards in Music.

Dr. Sims was taught to sing and influenced greatly in Music by his teachers: Rev. W. F. Billups, 
Professor H. T. Edwards, and Mrs. Carrie Billups.

In 1961, he enrolled at Paine College in Augusta, GA where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree 
with a major in History and minor in Philosophy of Religion. While at Paine, he excelled in Music; 
receiving voice training from Dr. Emily Remington, Ms. Porter Remington, and Ms. Ruby Jenkins.

He was also president of the school’s chorus and a member of the concert choir; and song 
extensively for school activities as well as in the community.

While a student at Paine, he was called to preach the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
He was licensed to preach the gospel by his father at the Ebenezer Baptist Church West in Athens, 
GA. during the pastorate of the Rev. William James Hudson.

Dr. Sims was called to pastor the Crossroad Baptist Church in Washington, GA at the age of 18; and 
at the age of 19, he became the pastor of the First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in
Augusta, GA.

The Mt. Moriah Baptist Church was rebuilt under his leadership and became a persuasive force in the 
Augusta Community.

While pastoring in Augusta, he attended Morehouse School of religion under the auspices of the 
Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. As a student at ITC, he led the student 
government and graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree.  He also received the Malthalathian 
Award for having the Highest Grade Point Average (GPA) for Morehouse School of Religion.

In 1966, he married Jeanne Gloria Stephens Sims (deceased).  Four children was born to this union.

Pastor Sims was a Gospel radio host for WAUG radio station. Later on he became a high school 
teacher at Blanchard High School while completing further studies at Augusta College (University).

Pastor Sims became a leader in Civil Rights and maintained two broadcast ministries. In addition to 
pastoring and being a Civil Rights leader, he became the Executive Director of the Community 
Development Project, a Rust DuPont Poverty Program. He also established the First Community Action 
Program.

Dr. Sims became a recording Artist for the Nashboro Recording Company in Nashville, TN, and Jewel 
Recording Company, Shreveport, Louisiana becoming known as the Songbird of the South as he rendered 
many concerts.

He also earned a first degree black belt in Korean Karate (Tae Kwon Do) from the Lefiti School of 
Martial Arts. He established a school of Martial Arts at the church for young people.

In 1974, he became the youngest pastor of the Historic First Bryan Missionary Baptist Church in 
Savannah, GA. While at First Bryan, he maintained a radio broadcast ministry and produced a live 
televised service.

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He reestablished the identity of First Bryan as the Oldest Black Baptist Church in North America. 
Under his leadership the membership flourished, particularly with young people.

In 1982, he became the pastor of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church in Orlando, 
FL. During his pastorate there, he continued with developing a radio ministry, purchased property 
for the church and grew the membership.

Dr. Sims, in 1990, became the founder and organizing pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church of 
Pine Hills, Orlando, FL.

In 1992, Rev. Sims married Jerrie Coleman Sims. She has been a relentless supporter of his 
ministry, mother and grandmother to their children, 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

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Awards and Honors

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✓  Guest panelist sharing a wealth of information and insight regarding the 1970 Augusta Riot and 
     Civil Rights Days at Paine College (April 24, 2020)
✓  One of Bethel Baptist Association LEGENDS OF THE GOSPEL (May 1, 2020)
✓  AACCC Past President and Founder
✓  Legend Award from Delta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (2018)
✓  Malthalathian Award (1968), Morehouse School of Religion (Highest GPA)
✓  Listed in Outstanding Young Men of America
✓  Minister of the Year, Georgia Council of Ministers, 1970
✓  Lt. Colonel Aide DE Champs, The Honorable Jimmy Carter, Georgia

     Past Membership Affiliations and Other Honors
✓  Chairman, Board of Directors, Florida General Baptist Convention
✓  President, Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education
✓  Dean, Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education
✓  President, African American Council of Christian Clergy
✓  Member, Board of Directors, National Congress of Christian Education
✓  Teacher, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education
✓  Chairman, Entertainment Committee, National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., 1996
✓  Member, State Advisory Board, Human Resources of Orange County

     Current Membership Affiliations and Other Honors
✓  Chief Advisor to the Bethel Baptist Association
✓  Chief Advisor to the President of the Florida General Baptist Convention
✓  Chief Advisor to the President of the Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education
✓  Member, Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education
✓  Member, Baptist Ministerial Alliance, Orlando, FL
✓  Member, National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.
✓   Member, Bethel Baptist Association