Our Purpose
The purpose of First Baptist Church of Mantachie, Mississippi is the advancement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It seeks to attain this goal through the public worship of God, the preaching of the Gospel, consistent Christian living by its members, personal evangelism, missionary endeavor, and Christian education.
Senior Pastor, Dr. John M. Adams
Dr. John M. Adams, Jr., is a native of Mississippi. He was born September 8, 1950, in Canton to J. M. and Gladys Adams. He and his wife, Darla Kaye Fuller Adams, have two children: Trey and Dr. Trinity Kaye Adams Nichols and one grandchild, Addison Nichols. Mrs. Adams, a school nurse at Tupelo Middle School is employed by North Mississippi Medical Center. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a RN degree.
Adams received his high school diploma in 1968 from Benton High School, Benton, Mississippi; his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1975 from Southeastern College, Laurel, Mississippi; The Master of Divinity Degree from Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, Florida in 1978 and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in 1980 from Luther Rice Seminary. Adams received the Master of Education Degree from the College of Education, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas in 1983. He received national certification in History at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR in 1987.
Adams became a Christian in 1969 and surrendered to the ministry in 1970. He has served as Senior Pastor in churches of Mississippi, Texas, Colorado, and Arkansas. Dr. Adams presently serves as Executive Director of the Moral Action of Mississippi and the national organization, Moral Action of BMA. He has served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church since 2000.
Associate Pastor and Minister of Music, Dr. J. E. Sims
Dr. J. E. Sims, Sr. is a Mississippian by choice. He was born October 5, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee to Loyce E. and Sylvia Ramer Sims. He and his wife, Linda Sheryn (Cherry) Sims have two sons along with their wives and children: James E. and Erin Lynn Sims, their children, James Elbert Sims, III and Jarin Harrington Sims, and Robert M. and Larisa Marion Sims and their two children, Alayna Katherine and Andrew Dylan Sims.
Cherry Sims, Marketing and Data Manager with the Office of Planned Giving with the American Family Association, graduated with her Bachelor of Religious Education from Bethany Bible College in Dothan, Alabama and her Master of Religious Education from Bethany Baptist Theological Seminary in Dothan, Alabama in 1996.
Dr. Sims received his high school diploma from Mid-City Baptist School in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1966; his Bachelor of Music Degree from William Carey University in 1970 in Church Music and 1971 in Music Education; his Master of Ministry from Bethany Baptist Theological Seminary 1991 and his Doctor of Religious Education from Bethany Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993.
J. E. became a Christian in 1966 and surrendered to the ministry in May of 1966. He has served as Pastor, Associate Pastor, Minister of Music and Minister of Youth in churches in Mississippi and Florida. He has served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Music at First Baptist since 2005.
Associate Pastor and Minister of Youth, Trent Thompson
Trent Thompson is a native of Mississippi. He was born April 2, 1974, in Tupelo, MS. His parents are John Thompson and Lynne Riley Stewart. He and his wife Rebecca have been married for 11 years. Rebecca works in the Accounting Department at Renasant Bank in Tupelo. She is a graduate of The University of Mississippi.
Trent is a graduate of Itawamba Agricultural High School and The University of Mississippi with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.
Trent became a Christian in 2001 and worked as a sponsor with the youth since 1997 before becoming Youth Director in 2006.
Church Secretary - Mrs. Lynne Stewart
Kids4Truth Directors - Renae Starling and Richey Hester
Children's Worship Director - Richey Hester
Church Librarian - Betty Barnes
Custodian - Carolyn Sheffied
