Biography of Rev. Dr. James E. HAWKINS LECTURER, Expositor

Rev. Dr. James E. Hawkins, a native of Tyler, TX, believer and servant of Jesus Christ, who confessed his call to the Gospel ministry in January 1987. He preached his first sermon on February 15, 1987 at the Liberty Baptist Church in Tyler, TX where he was licensed to preach under the leadership of Rev. G. E. O’Neal.

In the same year, he was called to pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Edgewood, TX. After serving two years there, He served as Pastor of Mt. Elem Baptist Church for eight years where he licensed and ordained two ministers, began a building program, grew the church in faith and membership. Upon leaving Mt. Elem, pastored for a brief time at Progressive Baptist Church, Tyler, TX until GOD gave him vision to organize the Higher Heights Community Baptist Church.

Pastor Hawkins established and founded Higher Heights Community Baptist Church in October 1996, where GOD gave in a vision to “Be a church where the people’s needs are meet” through holistic ministry opportunity. GOD has ORDAINED, FAVORED and BLESSED this ministry.

In August 2011, Pastor Hawkins and Higher Heights was given a 2.5-million-dollar facility for ministry and to meet the needs of people. The vision that GOD gave Pastor Hawkins has multiplied and become one church in four countries, as Higher Heights has birthed three churches in Jamaica, Cost Rica, Pakistan and the United States.

Pastor Hawkins has mentored, licensed and ordained over 40 ministers. Ministries that have been added to the church including such as Celebrate Recovery Ministry, Literacy Program, After School Program, Education/tutoring, Singles and Marriage Ministry, Prison Ministry, Clothing Ministry, Food Pantry and a Health/Fitness Ministry. Pastor Hawkins credits this work to GOD, and proudly believes this to be one of his greatest endeavor and proudest accomplishment in life.

Pastor Hawkins received his degree in Business Administration from Texas College and a certificate in ministry from East Texas Baptist University. He has also attended Southwestern Theological Seminary, L. K. Williams Minister’s Institute, American Baptist Theological Seminary. McKinley Theological Seminary and Kenner Theological Bible College, where he received his doctorate in Theology.

As a community advocate Pastor Hawkins

· Currently serves as a member and lecturer on both the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America Evangelical Board,

· is a member of National Trusted Partners for Christ, Inc.

· He is a member and has served as the Director of Public Relations for the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Tyler and Vicinity

· Past Vice-Moderator of Smith Baptist Association

· He is a member African American Fellowship of Ministers of Tyler, TX, Original East Texas Baptist Association, and the Texas Baptist Convention.

· Pastor Hawkins has significant impact on his community as he has served on the Board of Directors for Tyler YMCA Executive Board, Meal on Wheels, Board member of Smith Baptist Association Executive Committee, Chaplin for Tyler Twisters Semi Pro Football Team, Chaplain of the University of Texas at Tyler Basketball Team, and the Board of directors for Goodwill Industries.

Pastor Hawkins is known for his determination, tenacity and his ability to rise to the occasion when faced with opposition. Pastor Hawkins has walked by faith in his more than 38 years of leadership and pastoral experience, building the church body and guiding congregants in their walk with the Lord.

Pastor Hawkins travels extensively throughout the U. S. and internationally preaching and lecturing on Evangelism, A Holistic Approach to Ministry, Meeting the Needs of the People and Raising Your Church to the Next Level Through a Holistic Approach.

Pastor Hawkins has been married to his high school sweetheart, Cynthia for 39 years. They have three children Chad, Tyiesha and Marquese. They have seven grandchildren, Geaniyah, Gabrielle, Brooklyn, Mariyah, Amiyah Rhylee, and Caiden. .