Minister James Edwards Jr. is a humble servant, devoted husband, gifted preacher and teacher, a dedicated minister and faithful worshipper. He received and accepted his call to the gospel ministry in 1994. He served 19 years as an Associate Minister. He began at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA. He was sent to and joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Hinesville, GA as an Associate Minister from 1996 until 1998 where he witnessed church growth of a congregation of 75 members to over 1500 in just two years. Moving back to Virginia after the death of both parents he joined First Pentecostal United Holy Church as an Associate Minister from 1998 until 2009.

While at First Pentecostal Church (2004) he was ordained an Elder and also promoted to the position of District Elder for the United Holy Church of America. After the Church expansion in 2009, he was appointed Executive Pastor of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries of Virginia. Beach, VA., after the death of the founder of Shekinah Glory Ministries. Two Years later in 2011, while being led by the Holy Spirit and a letter of Christian experience; Minister Edwards joined Grove Baptist Church and is currently serving as Lead Minister for the Keeper of the Flame ministries.

Minister Edwards is currently enrolled in the Regent University’s Masters of Divinity program and has earned a B.A. in Religious Studies with a GPA of 4.0 from Norfolk Theological Seminary and College in June of 2006. He is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School of Portsmouth, VA and the Virginia State Police Academy of Richmond, VA. He is a member in good standings and has been appointed the Lead Keeper of the Flames Ministry at Grove Baptist Church in Portsmouth.

He is currently employed as the Deputy Chief of Police at Hampton University where he is the coordinator of Security for the annual Hampton University Ministers Conference. He is married to Minister Dr. Toni Turner Edwards of Southampton County Virginia.

The call of God in his life has directed him to seek the full time office of servant of the Most High God. He is a vessel used to educate, edify and equip the saints of God. His motto is that he is “Saved To Serve”!