A Faithful Servant
FAITH
BY JEANA DURST
even changed careers. Bham Family
Akins had served children
at Vestavia Hills Baptist
Church for 30 years and
is continuing her devotion
to the ministry. I talked
her long career serving
God and children came
motivated.
Akins started her
ministry at the church
on January 2, 1990, after
attending The Southern
Baptist Theological
Seminary in Louisville,
she was following God’s
yet know where that would
lead her. “I met a lot of
people who knew what
wasn’t sure,” Akins says.
Along the way, she met
with professors and mentors who advised her to
trust that God would direct her to a profession as
she moved through seminary. “At the time, I had
no idea and I didn’t know there was such a thing
as a children’s minister,” Akins says. However,
an inspirational instructor, Katherine Chapman,
whose holistic approach to ministry and lessons
in child and spiritual development, helped Akins
important foundation for families,” Akins says.
36 Bham Family April 2020
she interviewed in), many things have
come into focus for Akins. And as
at seminary told her she
would most likely work at
a few different churches
home. “I said, I’d really like
to go somewhere and stay
for a long time,’ and so here
I am 30 years later … I felt
like Vestavia was where I
recalls.
children, too. “I felt
to encourage families to
participate in the church
and to make church a
curriculum for their
family and not just an
Akins says. She makes sure
to provide resources for
families to use at home
“I am better when I can
work with others.”
NANCY AKINS
Christian educators of their children along with
from their parents,” Akins says.
I can work with others,” she says. Spoken like a
and the character of a leader.