Brief Biography - feel free to contact us for more details if needed
Phyllis and I were both raised in Marion County, AL which borders the Mississippi line between the northern and central parts of the state. We were both raised in the country, near towns relatively small in size. We were both born into situations were our fathers needed and received a radical change in their lives, thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Afterwards, both of them entered ministry in Freewill Baptist Churches, although we have family roots in other denominations. During our teen years, Phyllis and I both became involved in leadership roles with our Youth Groups, and after High School Graduation, both entered college. Phyllis had a year of community college when we met, I two years at the Universtiy of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Phyllis and I first met briefly at a youth rally at her church, but did not make a real connection at that time. The next time we met was quite different. We were introduced by a friend of hers who I was dating. The next month we went on a date I will never forget. When I arrived at her house to pick her up, she was in the backyard praying. She was the only girl I remember asking could I kiss her, before I did. On the way home, I pulled my '66 Mustang over and had a heart-to-heart with God, weeping and sobbing of which I am not ashamed, rededicating my life to him. It was after this on subsequent dates that we grew closer, as our relationship with our Heavenly Father was now of one mind and one accord. When we met for the second time and made a real connection in May of 1981, it did not take long to realize that ours was to be a lifetime committment. We went out in June, set a date to be married in July, and moved it up several times before we decided that Nashville (where Phyllis was headed to college) and Tuscaloosa were too far apart. We got married on Friday, August 28th, and we were in church on Sunday, August 30th, and I was in class at the University of Alabama on August 31st, Monday morning.
I received a B.S. Degree in Secondary Education Social Science in 1983. Afterwards, Phyllis and I were houseparents at a shelter home for teens for some time, as well as owners of a Day Care Center for several years in my home town where I taught and coached, and after a very humbling beginning, was blessed with both academic and athletic awards. I received a Master's Degree in 1994, and have since recieved certification in Administration. We both have been involved in church ministries while having and raising two children, and recently, have been blessed with our first grandchild. Over the course of many years, and much travel and change I thought was related to coaching, we believe God has been preparing us for the ministry on which we now embark. We have attended churches of all different sizes, from thousands, to less than 100, both Freewill, Baptist, and most recently a plant church which openly claims no denomination affiliation. We have struggled through trials, as all of us have, but feel that part of the reason for so much change in our lives has been so God can use us in the particular ministry in which we now focus our efforts. We would be more than happy to help you in any way God leads.
May God Richly Bless You and Yours!
Randal and Phyllis Atkins
Phyllis and I first met briefly at a youth rally at her church, but did not make a real connection at that time. The next time we met was quite different. We were introduced by a friend of hers who I was dating. The next month we went on a date I will never forget. When I arrived at her house to pick her up, she was in the backyard praying. She was the only girl I remember asking could I kiss her, before I did. On the way home, I pulled my '66 Mustang over and had a heart-to-heart with God, weeping and sobbing of which I am not ashamed, rededicating my life to him. It was after this on subsequent dates that we grew closer, as our relationship with our Heavenly Father was now of one mind and one accord. When we met for the second time and made a real connection in May of 1981, it did not take long to realize that ours was to be a lifetime committment. We went out in June, set a date to be married in July, and moved it up several times before we decided that Nashville (where Phyllis was headed to college) and Tuscaloosa were too far apart. We got married on Friday, August 28th, and we were in church on Sunday, August 30th, and I was in class at the University of Alabama on August 31st, Monday morning.
I received a B.S. Degree in Secondary Education Social Science in 1983. Afterwards, Phyllis and I were houseparents at a shelter home for teens for some time, as well as owners of a Day Care Center for several years in my home town where I taught and coached, and after a very humbling beginning, was blessed with both academic and athletic awards. I received a Master's Degree in 1994, and have since recieved certification in Administration. We both have been involved in church ministries while having and raising two children, and recently, have been blessed with our first grandchild. Over the course of many years, and much travel and change I thought was related to coaching, we believe God has been preparing us for the ministry on which we now embark. We have attended churches of all different sizes, from thousands, to less than 100, both Freewill, Baptist, and most recently a plant church which openly claims no denomination affiliation. We have struggled through trials, as all of us have, but feel that part of the reason for so much change in our lives has been so God can use us in the particular ministry in which we now focus our efforts. We would be more than happy to help you in any way God leads.
May God Richly Bless You and Yours!
Randal and Phyllis Atkins