Bio for Dr. Akins Dr. James M. (Jim) Akins is Pastor of Winterville First Baptist Church. Dr. Akins is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, where he received a Bachelor of Arts;  Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri, where he received a Master of Divinity;  and Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, Florida, where he received a Doctorate of Ministry. Dr. Akins served as Strategy Coordinator for the East Region of the North American Mission Board in Alpharetta, Georgia, until his retirement December 31, 2004.  Prior to joining the NAMB staff, he served as Director for the Office of Evangelism at the California Southern Baptist Convention for over seven years.  He has served as Pastor of churches in Missouri, Texas, and California, and has served as Pastor of Winterville First Baptist Church since 2006.  He and his lovely wife Penny reside here in Winterville.