18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. -Matthew 4:18-20
When I was 16...I rededicated my life to Christ at an old fashioned tent revival outside of a christian coffee house in Baltimore and I decided that I was finished going through the motions of calling myself a christian but living contrary. It was time to really follow Jesus!
August 20th, 2004 I married my beautiful wife and we made a decision that we would not only be committed to each other in everything...but that our marriage was a covenant between us and the Lord and that we would surrender our will to his will and that our home would honor him and that together we would follow Jesus!
March 2005 We were called into full time Student ministry at New Covenant Church of God (my home church for 13 years) and we served there with all of our hearts! We experienced the blessings of God and the struggles that life and ministry presented...but through it all...we pushed through to follow Jesus!
February 2009 We felt God calling us to the eastern shore. Some ministry opportunities were presented..but none were his will. We couldn't sell our house but we stepped out in faith...moved to the shore and began working...a lot! Amber work 50+ hrs a week apprenticing at a salon and I work 70-80hrs a week at Wawa and Chick fil a. We did that for 7 months...and in march we found an incredible church...Dagsboro Church of God!
They had a youth pastor, the worship team was full and there seemed to be no need for me and amber. But after 3 weeks of visiting...we knew God called us here...regardless of where we fit...we knew....we.were.following.Jesus.
August 2009 we were brought on staff part time to serve the students of this great church and community. Eventually coming on full time staff...God continued to bless us. And since coming to DCOG God has blessed us with amazing opportunities including:
Becoming a part of an amazing staff and leadership team whom we will always respect and thank the Lord for, being a part of the worship team, serving students - attending their sporting and school events, getting to know their families and serving this community as youth pastors, connecting and working together with other student ministries in our community, working with LCS students, speaking in their chapel and other christian schools in the area, teaching purity classes for LCS 7th and 8th grade boys, working with our B&G club and trying to be a positive influence in kids lives as well as helping the club move forward, being a part of the amazing changes made in our kids ministry including leading live worship for the kids each week, leading worship and speaking at the Stockley center...and being a part of an amazing church family who we love dearly!
A few months ago...we felt God stirring us to seek him. Once again...he is calling us to follow him...and we are.
We have 2 more weeks left as of the date of this Blog to serve DCOG and this community. We have been blessed and honored to be here and to be embraced into this great family...but we are all part of an even bigger family...the Body of Christ!
God has presented us with the opportunity to go and serve the community of Clermont Florida with Pastor Chris & Julie Dutruch at Celebration of Praise Church of God. God has had his hand on our lives and we are so excited for all he has in store. There is much work to be done...and we all need to be doing what he is calling us to.
I have recently shared James 2:20 with people...
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
The last 6 years we have preached the gospel and shared our faith! Since I was a young boy I have been singing and writing music about my faith and now I get to sing with Amber. Since I was 16, my goal in life has been to follow Jesus and to walk by faith...not by sight, and if we are not willing to follow him when he calls...if we are not willing to step out and trust him even when we don't have it all figured out...my friends...all of these things have been done in vain.
But...
we have heard Him...
we have peace that He has got us...
we are walking by faith...
and once again following Jesus!
God is so incredible! He is literally beyond amazing...and to think...for even one second that we get to follow Jesus...
We will!
We love you all and I want to tell you...God has called you to also do something great for him and for the Kingdom of God! He loves you! He has an incredible plan for your life. If you haven't yet...choose to follow Jesus. Accept him as your savior and start experiencing the abundant life...and eternity that John 10:10 promises.
And if Jesus is calling you to do something...will you answer his call? Will you follow him?
-jimmy akers
