Jamie Howell teaches courses in biblical counseling and pastoral ministry for RBS.

Conversion

Jamie Howell grew up in a historic Southern Baptist church in Charleston, SC. Although he professed faith in Christ at the age of seven, he was not truly converted. At the age of fourteen, a fellow student shared with him how the Lord had completely transformed his life, only one week prior! That night he realized that he was hopelessly lost and needed for Jesus to save him. But he believed he had rejected Him so many times, he was beyond His grace. Another friend shared with him from John 6:37, "Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out." When he realized that the issue was not his own worthiness of saving or his ability to trust, but simply Jesus' faithfulness to His promise, his heart was changed and Jesus became his Lord and Savior. Within a few years, God placed in his heart a longing to preach this good news to others, which eventually culminated in a call to the gospel ministry.

Family

Pastor Howell married his best friend Lydia soon after graduating from college, nearly 45 years ago. They have three adult children, two by adoption. Their one biological son suffered a severe brain injury at birth, resulting in profound mental and physical disability. So their journey as a family has been a continuing series of learning to trust the Lord more and more deeply, and God has always proven faithful. Their oldest son is married and they have one grandson who is 3 1/2 and who brings them great joy. The Howells are so thankful to their Heavenly Father for the precious family He has provided through many winding paths and challenging circumstances.

Vocation

Pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Taylors, SC.

Hobbies

Music (a variety of styles), woodworking, and hiking in the woods. Spending time with his kids and grandson. He and his wife are very active with the Parents Board of the residential facility where their son Jonathan now lives.

Church Ministry

Pastor / Teaching Elder. His primary responsibilities include preaching and teaching God's word, prayer, shepherding the saints, biblical counseling, and administration for the church.

Ministry Experience

Pastor Howell first began attending the church in which he now serves as a college student in 1978. After graduating from seminary in 1984, the church called him to return to the Greenville, SC area and serve as assistant to the Pastor. Over the years he has led the music, college outreach, Christian education, youth ministries. Later he became a vocational pastor / teaching elder at the same church, Grace Baptist Church of Taylors. However, in 2007 he resigned from the ministry to address personal and family issues, and was out of vocational ministry for eight years. In God's amazing kindness, He led the church to call him to return to the elder board as a ruling elder in 2014 and then to the vocational pastor role a year later.

Education

B.A. in history from Furman University; M. Div. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

Teaching Experience

Reformed Baptist Seminary. In recent years Pastor Howell has had the privilege of teaching pastoral training modules for a faithful group of village pastors in Telengana Province in India. This coming year he plans to make a sixth trip, with the hope to continuing this work as long as the Lord allows.