James William Adkins

James William Adkins (Pastor Jim) passed away peacefully January 25, 2023, surrounded by his beloved family after a brief illness. He was born August 7, 1939, to V.A. and Selma Adkins in Louisville, Kentucky. Upon graduation for Eastern High School in 1957, Pastor Jim attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas. In 1964, Pastor Jim graduated from Belmont College majoring in Bible History and Theology. He also attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1959, Pastor Jim married the love of his life, Donna Faye Whobrey also from Louisville. They have two children, Mark (Tracy) Adkins and Karen Adkins and two grandchildren, Dr. Kristen Brooke Thornton, and Jessica Nicole (Casey) Cavanaugh. Pastor Jim was exceedingly proud of his family, and they were his life’s priority.

Pastor Jim and Donna moved to Jekyll Island, Georgia in 1969 to serve as the Pastor of the Jekyll Baptist Chapel and as an Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Brunswick. During their time on Jekyll Island, the current Baptist Chapel was built under their leadership. In 1973, alongside Pastors Bill Ligon and Calder Kenny, he was a founding pastor of Christian Renewal Church in Brunswick, Georgia. Over the next 40 years of ministry, Pastor Jim ministered at churches in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, eventually joining Bishop Joseph Garlington at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh. During their time at Covenant, Pastor Jim and Donna created the Breaking Free ministry which helped countless people achieve emotional and spiritual healing.

In 2000, Pastor Jim and Donna founded Covenant Church East in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. With a smaller congregation, they continued their work and ministry until they semi-retired in 2010. They returned to their beloved “Golden Isles” where Pastor Jim served part-time as the Chaplain of the Port of Brunswick with the International Seafarers Center. Pastor Jim loved going on the cargo ships and ministering to seafarers from all over the world.

The family wants to thank their friends, colleagues, and neighbors for all the support and care they have been extended. Arrangements for Pastor Jim are as follows: Visitation with the family on Tuesday, January 31st from 11:00-1:00 at Jekyll Island Baptist Chapel on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Funeral to follow at 1:00pm. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Brunswick, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Manna House or the International Seafarers Center:

Manna House

1408 G Street

Brunswick, GA 31520

International Seafarers Center

307 Newcastle Street

Brunswick, GA 31520

www.seafarerscenter.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Adkins family.