About Our First Lady

First Lady Erica Lynette Akins (formerly Martin) was born in Staten Island, New York and lived most of her life in the state of Maryland.  She comes from a family full of preachers and teachers of the Word, Evangelists, singers, and musicians.  She continues to live out the legacy of salvation and holiness that was instilled in her family generations ago.  One evening during a youth shut in, at the age of 11, First Lady received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues.  However, she did not remain saved throughout her teenage and young adult years, but once you encounter God, you will never be the same.  Though living in the world, First Lady never felt at peace until one day she fully surrendered her will to God.  Once and for all, she gave her life to the Lord and became a believer of Jesus Christ at the age of 20 and began to answer the call to ministry.  She enrolled in the Church of God in Christ C.H. Mason Bible Institute and was licensed as a Missionary in her twenties.  Years later, at the age of 29, she became a licensed Evangelist. 

More than twenty years prior, it was prophesied to First Lady, then Erica Martin, that she would marry a Preacher and become a First Lady.  For several years, she did not want to accept the prophecy, but low and behold, it came to pass!  After three months of meeting, First Lady married Elder Charles P. Akins in August 2013.  She now serves in ministry alongside her husband, Pastor Akins.  From their union they have two beautiful, god-fearing children, Mariah A. Johnson and Charles P. Akins Jr. 

Over the course of her life, First Lady Akins served in many facets of the ministry.  From singing in the choir, Praise Team, Finance and Administration, serving in the Youth Ministry, Singles Ministry, Bible Study and Sunday School Teacher, Evangelism and Missions, Women’s Ministry, to speaking God’s Word and the list goes on.  Each of these experiences has equipped her to serve with Pastor Akins and to assist with birthing out the vision God has given him.

Like Pastor Akins, First Lady also has a deep desire to help those in need. Since she was in her teens, she always had a deep desire to feed the homeless, help neglected children, and assist and care for the Elderly. Not long after in her young adult years, God gave her the scriptures Isaiah 58:12 and Isaiah 61:4, of which the 3R Foundation (Repair, Rebuild, Restore) was conceived/ignited in her spirit.  However, such a great calling/mission cannot be solely accomplished, nor could it be fully birthed without help. When First Lady married Elder Akins, low and behold, he had the other half and took the vision even further!  As Pastor Akins, First Lady sees the building of new homes and safe housing for families, community development initiatives, Job Corp training, feeding the homeless, safe community center for children, and building homes and assisted living for the elderly in the future.  Together with her husband and of course with the help of the Lord, it shall come to pass, and, on that day, her testimony will be "To God Be the Glory for the Great Things He Has Done!"

First Lady Akins is also well educated.  She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Maryland, University College and works as a Supervisory Accountant for the Federal Government.

For counseling services, speaking engagements, workshops, or other, call (240) 520-3060 or email at .