Rev. Anthony Sims Sr. is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He is the third of the late Rev. Dr. Walter and Bennie Ruth Sims’ six children. He attended Birmingham City Schools and graduated from Ensley Magnet High School in 1988. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989 and served there until 1993, when he was honorably discharged. He continued his education at the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. In 2010, he graduated from Andersonville Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in Theology.
On July 31, 1995, at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Ishkooda, Pastor Sims responded to the call of God and started his preaching ministry. He was appointed Youth Pastor at the Macedonia 17th Street Baptist Church in March 1997 after being ordained. He was elected as the Progressive Baptist Church’s new pastor in April 1997, and he diligently served in that capacity until the year 2000. Rev. Sims was appointed as the first pastor of the newly established Divine Faith Baptist Church in the latter months of 2000, where he served until 2004. He was appointed senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Booker Heights in July 2005, where he served faithfully for 17 years. In June 2022, Pastor Sims was elected as the Senior Pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church. He is passionate about touching and transforming lives, teaching and preaching God’s word, and saving souls.
Pastor Sims is a fervent supporter of Christian missions and education. From 2007 through 2016, he worked as a district teacher at Mount Pilgrim District #5. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the team’s chaplain for the Pinson Valley High School football team.
Mrs. Shannon Renae Sims is the wife of Pastor Sims. Triniti Nicolle, Andrew Warren, and Anthony Jr. are their three grown children. They have been blessed with one wonderful grandson, Jaiden Tate.
“And Joshua said unto the people, sanctify yourselves for tomorrow for the Lord will do wonders among you.” – Joshua 3:5