About Our Pastor
Pastor Charles Payton Akins, Sr. was born to Pastor Eugene and Mother Helena Akins in Syracuse, New York. Like Samuel, Pastor Akins received the call to ministry at a very early age. He always knew that he was supposed to be a Preacher. His prayer life began at a young age, and he always understood the Word of God far beyond his years.
Instead of running to the Lord in his youth, Pastor Akins allowed anger and frustration to catapult him into a life of sin. However, the Prodigal Son finally returned, and gave his life to the Lord April 17, 1999, attended the C.H. Mason Bible institute, and was ordained as an Elder soon after in 2001.
From a young age, and being a Preacher’s Kid, also affectionately known as a “PK,” over the course of his life, Pastor Akins served in many facets of the ministry. He did everything from setting up tables for banquet halls, to ushering, being a musician/drummer for the church, singing in the choir, serving in the Youth Ministry, Elder over Singles Ministry, Couples Ministry, adjutancy, Bible Study Instructor, Sunday School Superintendent, to preaching the Word of God. The list goes on and on. Each of these experiences has prepared him for pastoring in that he learned to first serve. Pastor Akins learned that serving in what others view as the lowest part of ministry (cleaning toilets) and serving in leadership positions were not as different as most believe. Each require the same humility and surrender to God, and abandonment of self-pride. Pastor Akins stands firm on his convictions about leadership, as he constantly keeps in the forefront of his mind that true leadership is about serving the people. “Every serving position prepared him for the biggest servant role of all, leading God’s People.” “Contrary to popular opinion, being a Pastor”, as Pastor Akins puts it, “is about serving others, not being served (think about the inverted triangle).”
The call to Pastorate began with an overwhelming concern for people. One day Pastor Akins woke up and was deeply concerned about the spiritual, financial, and mental condition and welfare of those within his sphere of influence, as well as the world at large. His heart began to hurt as he witnessed the signs of the people crying out for assistance in coping with such a dark world. The Lord showed him the scripture Jeremiah 6:16. He began to comprehend and felt in his spirit that people needed to understand the cure to these conditions is having a real relationship with God; real surrender, real humility and honesty. Thus, Payton Tabernacle was birthed. The Tabernacle God sought to dwell within, as mentioned in Exodus 25:8, also ties in with Romans 12:1-2. We are (each of us) the Tabernacle and are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice for the Holy Spirit to dwell within.
The Pastor’s vision for God’s people is simple. One person, one family, and one community at a time. All of this to say that in order to repair communities at large, the real work begins with helping individuals discover their rightful place and relationship with our God. It is through this miracle of discovery that healing, deliverance, and salvation can repair, rebuild, and restore the individual. In doing so, we ultimately repair, rebuild, and restore families and communities simultaneously through increased faith, trust, and reliance upon God the Father and His Living Word! Join us and watch the Holy Spirit Reveal God’s Will for you as he heals your life circumstances through his word.
Alongside of him, serving in ministry, Pastor Akins married his beautiful wife, First Lady Erica L. Akins August 24, 2013. They have two beautiful, god-fearing children, Mariah A. Johnson and Charles P. Akins Jr. Pastor Akins is also well educated. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Syracuse University and works as a Financial Resource Consultant for the Federal Government.
For counseling services, speaking engagements, workshops, or other, call (240) 520-3060 or email at .