Pastor Marvin Sims Sr. - St. Mark Baptist Church

Pastor Marvin Mims Sr.

St. Mark Baptist Church

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Pastor Marvin Sims Sr.

Pastor Marvin Mims Sr. is the Senior Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church, located at 940 S. Lauderdale Street in Memphis. For 114 years, this church has established itself as a staple in their community, and Pastor Mims is only the 4th pastor to serve there.

“I became the Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in October 2019. Our church focuses on uplifting South Memphis and serving the citizens in the community. We offer annual Thanksgiving dinners and clothes giveaways, an annual Back to School Rally in August, and a fall festival outdoor cook-out celebration in October. We also offer a sports program for youth,” he says.

St. Mark Baptist Church also has a strong youth ministry. The church also delivers meals to homeless people in downtown Memphis, meals prepared by Four Way Restaurant. They also give to various organizations, including MIFA, Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis Lupus Foundation, and BETHEL International in Kenya. Pastor Mims’ predecessor, his Father-in-law, served for 53 years before transferring the ministry to him.

A native of Greenville, MS, in 1978, after graduating from Greenville High School, Pastor Mims moved to Memphis at the age of 17. Once there, he became employed at Giant Foods as a grocery bagger. In 1979, after taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam for a third time, he qualified to enter the Air Force at 18. At the age of 19, Pastor Mims was married to Anita, and the pair have enjoyed 43 years together. Their union has also been blessed with three children, two grandsons, and a son-in-law. Pastor Mims served 32 years in the Air Force, and in 2011, he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, which is the highest rank of an enlisted member. Pastor Mims received his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Crichton College and a graduate degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

More than anything, Pastor Mims says that he enjoys serving people. “As a servant leader, it is a joy to meet the needs of people spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially.” Pastor Mims also relies on his faith and doesn’t shy away from sharing how it has guided him through life. “God works things out for the good for them that love him. I overcame racism in the military on multiple occasions and was determined not to complain or quit. I decided to pursue change through the military chain of command and represent the core values of the Air Force, which are integrity, service before self, and excellence.

“I overcame racism in the military on multiple occasions and was determined not to complain or quit. I decided to pursue change through the military chain of command and represent the core values of the Air Force, which are integrity, service before self, and excellence.”

In 2001, Pastor Mims founded a nonprofit organization called BOLD BROTHERS, (BROTHERS OFFERING LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT). The organization is also a mentoring program designed primarily for young men between the ages of (9-18). As if he hadn’t already had his hands full, Pastor Mims has also found time to author and publish several books. He shares that the vision to write began in 2014. “I was inspired by the life of my father-in-law, the late Rev. Dr. J. C. Bachus, who had pastored our church for 50 years at the time. In 2022, I published my first book, “The Crossroads of Champions.” This book focuses on the interconnectedness of my father-in-law and me and has four major themes, Manhood, Military, Marriage, and Ministry. In 2024, I edited my grandson’s book, “Walker’s Wise Words.”

Currently, Pastor Mims is working on a book with his grandson, Hazen Walker. This production is scheduled to be published in October 2024. It is a Superhero book called The Conquerors of Evil. It will portray common people who are superheros that help people overcome everyday life problems.