Rev. Jimmie Hawkins – Current Issues Facing the PCUSA’s Office of Public Witness
On Sunday, June 8, the Presbyterian Church of Morristown, in partnership with Highlands Presbytery’s Committee on Representation, hosted the Rev. Dr. Jimmie Hawkins, Director of the advocacy offices of the Presbyterian Church (USA). These office include the Office of Public Witness in Washington DC, and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations in New York City.
Rev. Hawkins preached at Sunday worship and later spoke on the topic, “Current Issues Facing the Office of Public Witness.” Links to both can be found below.
With changing attitudes in Washington regarding Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Hawkins spoke on how the PC(U.S.A.)’s advocacy is supporting and upholding those values nationwide.
Thank you to all those at the Presbyterian Church of Morristown who made this event possible!
About Rev. Dr. Jimmie Hawkins
Rev. Hawkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC); a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (Richmond, VA); and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center/Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary (Atlanta, GA).
For twenty years he served as the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC, 1996 – 2016. Between 1992 – 1996, he served as the senior pastor of Grace Presbyterian, Holmes Memorial and Trinity Presbyterian churches in Virginia (Peaks Presbytery).
He served on the boards of Church World Service, the National Council of Churches and Union Presbyterian Seminary. He has chaired several interfaith /ecumenical and non-profit boards: NC NAACP Executive Committee, Durham Congregations in Action, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Religious Coalition for a Non-Violent Durham, Housing for New Hope (homeless advocacy), End Poverty Now, and others. He serves as a tri-chair of the Washington Interreligious Staff Committee (WISC) and the Heads of Washington Office (HOWO).
His community ministry includes being a leader for the Moral Monday Movement since its onset in 2013. He engaged in four actions of civil disobedience protesting the actions to curtail voting rights, healthcare and a living wage. He has been active in justice advocacy throughout his ministry.
His book, Unbroken and Unbowed, was released by Westminster John Knox Press, in February 2022.
He is the son of Elsie L. and the late James P. Hawkins. He is married to Sheinita Hampton Hawkins and they have two children: Kaela Renee and James Hampton.
