Pastor Douglas Simmons is a ministerial visionary, altruistic philanthropist, and a spiritual leader who has inspired and encouraged his congregation and many others in the surrounding areas and communities to pursue a personal relationship with God.
Possessing a commitment to education and to the studies of Theology, Pastor Simmons received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Claflin University, in Orangeburg, SC. His zeal for teaching, preaching, and spiritual leadership, encouraged him to later pursue and acquire a Master of Divinity degree, which began at the historic Morehouse School of Religion on the campus of The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA. He completed his Master’s from Liberty University Lynchburg, VA.
He is proud to have served his country in the United States Army where he fought with other great men and women during “Operation Desert Storm/Shield.” He was later commissioned as an officer and underwent Chaplaincy training at The U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, SC.
Pastor Simmons began his ministerial journey in April 1996 at Lovely Hill Baptist Church in his home town of Smoaks, SC. After being ordained in 1998 by the Lovely Hill Baptist Association, Pastor Simmons was called to his first pastoral ministry at Greater Sydney Park Baptist Church in Bamberg, SC. After a short tenure with Greater Sydney Park Baptist Church, he began his second call to pastoral ministry at Springtown Baptist Church also in Bamberg, SC.
Since June of 2002, Pastor Simmons has been faithfully serving Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Eastover, SC. Over the past years, God has lead the church through transition, renovation, transformation, and much inspiration. The lives of Pastor Simmons’ congregants have been enhanced spiritually, psychological, socially, and economically.
Pastor Simmons served as Vice Moderator of The Wateree Baptist Association for five years, and is currently serving as the Moderator of the same association. Pastor Simmons is known for his “gospel preaching” and for his practical approach to the Bible. His exceptional gift to teach and preach has provided various opportunities for him to evangelize throughout the state of South Carolina preaching revivals, communicating the plan of salvation with clarity and conviction, building spiritual relationships with unbelievers, and challenging people to have faith in Jesus Christ.
He is passionate about proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, making the Word of God relevant in the lives of believers, and building the Kingdom of God in the congregation and in the community.
Pastor Simmons continuously seeks God for guidance in maximizing and utilizing his God given gifts and talents to continue to obtain intellectual achievement, to make further advances towards church leadership, growth, and development, and to take “The Gospel” to the next level in this contemporary age in the African American Church.
He is married to Ronda Risher Simmons, and they have two daughters, Taylor Savona and Tyra Renae Simmons.
