Our Mission
Heart of God Ministries is built on the foundation of God’s teachings, and our mission is to serve with excellence and compassion. Our goal is to help those who are lost and hurting and to treat all people with the dignity and respect they deserve, as commanded by our Lord. We strive to educate and uplift members of our community through spiritual, moral, and academic programs, promoting active involvement, personal fulfillment, and strong leadership. Ultimately, our goal is to bring joy to God.
Senior Pastor
Bishop Fred T. Simms
Bishop is a West Virginia native and the founder of Heart of God Ministries, a church in Beckley, West Virginia. He was ordained as a deacon in 1977 and preached his first sermon that year. He served as Assistant Pastor at New Jerusalem Holiness Church for 14 years before founding Heart of God Ministries in 1993. He received a Doctorate of Divinity degree in 2005 and has appeared on Daystar Television and hosted a weekly television and radio broadcast. He has a strong passion for community outreach programs and organized events to address issues in the community. His work includes providing school supplies and food pantry, Project Hope Addiction’s Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, special youth programs, and community garden. He also organized and participated in several committees and events to address issues in the community.
Due to Bishop Simms’s sacrifice and determination, leaders around the states have noticed. He has earned the “key to the city” on several occasions; Bishop Simms has also been the recipient of numerous awards for his community service, which includes: the 2008 “Citizen of the Year” award from the Mountain State Bar Association; Mountain State University’s School of Leadership and Professional Development’s “Living Leadership” award; the “Sharing of Self” award presented by
the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday Commission of the State of West Virginia; an acknowledgment by the City of Beckley for excellence in community service during the Common Council meeting on March 24, 2015; in 2017, received the distinguished honor of having his street renamed “Fred T. Simms Terrace”; and on December 11, 2017, at the YMCA’s 31st annual banquet, he received the “Spirit of Beckley” award – a community service award given to an individual who has worked selflessly to enrich southern West Virginia and positively affect the lives of those who live here. From a historical perspective, he was the first African American recipient of this prestigious honor. In addition to the many accolades of his accomplishments, in June 2010, he became a published author.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a thriving, Christ-centered community that transforms lives and impacts our city and beyond with God’s love. We aspire to be a beacon of hope, welcoming all people to experience the life-changing power of Jesus, grow in their faith, and live out their purpose. Through intentional discipleship, compassionate outreach, and empowering leadership, we seek to inspire generations to follow Jesus and make a lasting impact on our world.
Who We Are
This fellowship shall be to establish and maintain a place for worship; to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ; to honor the Holy Ghost; to convert souls to the Lord Jesus Christ; to evangelize, equip, encourage, and enable according to the teaching and practices of the Holy Bible. Heart of God Ministries is a church in Beckley, West Virginia, founded by Elder Fred T. Simms in 1993. The first service was held on February 7th, 1993, with 72 people in attendance. The church’s first six members joined that day, one of which joined by way of baptism and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The church name was chosen by Elder Simms’s 10-year-old daughter, who had no prior knowledge of the church.
In 1995, the church purchased property and constructed a new sanctuary, which was dedicated on September 1st, 1996. In 2004, the sanctuary was expanded to accommodate 700 people. The church has since expanded to include affiliated churches in India, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The church also established a scholarship fund and hosts community events such as blood drives and job fairs.