Rev. O. Jermaine Simmons Sr., pastor of Jacob Chapel Baptist Church in Tallahassee, will serve as Florida A&M Universitys (FAMU) summer commencement speaker. Commencement will be held on Friday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. in the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
As a fourth generation preacher and pastor, Rev. Simmons is self-described as a humble servant. He was born to the Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr. and Elaine Griffin Simmons. He accepted Christ as his Savior in March of 1984, at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., where his father served and still serves as pastor.
In March of 1999, Simmons was called to preach the gospel. In August of that same year, he was licensed by the Abyssinian Baptist Church and received further training at the Antioch Baptist Church North in Atlanta, Ga. During his time at Antioch, Rev. Simmons was trained under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Cameron M. Alexander.
From 2001 to 2004, Rev. Simmons taught 4th grade and eventually 5th grade in the Atlanta Public School System. He has received numerous awards from various educational organizations for his tireless commitment to teachers and students alike.
In August of 2004, Rev. Simmons relocated to the City of Tallahassee, where he served as the Youth and Collegiate Director for the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. During this time, he received further guidance and training under the leadership of Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes, Jr. In December of 2005, Rev. Simmons begin serving as Jacob Chapel Baptist Churchs ninth pastor.
Since his arrival at Jacob Chapel, more than 4,000 members have been added to the local church. Thirty plus ministries have been implemented, all of which are rooted in the motto of Doctrine, Stewardship, Fellowship and Evangelism.
Simmons and his wife, Elise, are the proud parents of one son, Orinthius Jermaine Simmons, Jr. Rev. Simmons received his bachelors degree in early childhood education from Morris Brown College in 2001. During his years at Morris Brown, he served as the gospel choir director as well as a leader in the campus ministry department.
For more information, call the Office of Communications at (850) 599-3413.