Reverend Simmons is a native of Aiken County, SC. He is the nineteenth child of the late Reverend J.J. Simmons and Effie Mae Toney Simmons. Reverend Simmons is married to Angela Carter Simmons and this union is blessed with three daughters: Lacey, and twins, Adriann and Amanda.
Reverend Simmons is a 1975 graduate of Aiken High School; a 1979 graduate of South Carolina State University of Orangeburg, SC; and a 1990 graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center—Morehouse School of Religion of Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, he has completed studies at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Wheaton, Illinois and the Institute of Church Administration and Management of Atlanta, Georgia. He is presently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Interdenominational Theological Center—Morehouse School of Religion of Atlanta, Georgia.
Upon completing his studies at South Carolina State University in 1979, he was employed by W.R. Grace & Company, Cryovac Division, Simpsonville, SC. In 1983, he was called into the gospel ministry and licensed in July 1983 by the Summer Grove Baptist Church of Aiken County and the Reedy River Baptist Church of Mauldin, SC. Later in 1983, he was called to pastor the Reedy Fork Baptist Church of Simpsonville, SC where he continues to serve. In 1987, Pastor Simmons became the full time pastor of Reedy Fork Baptist Church. Under his divine leadership the membership has increased over 75%. In addition, the church has grown in spirit and in assets, which include a 1.8 million dollar facility consisting of 28.286 square feet of administration, educational, and family life center.
Reverend Simmons is affiliated with the Reedy River Baptist Association and its auxiliaries, the Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina, and the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and its auxiliaries.
Affiliations:
He presently serves as committee member on the United Way of Greenville County, the IMPACT Committee, and the Greenville Technical College Advisory Committee.