James F. Nations

2019 Lifetime Achievement Award

James F. Nations was born in Walthall County, near Tylertown, MS, on February 4, 1938, to Reverend Lonnie and Myrtle Yates Nations. He was the only son with 3 sisters.

He graduated from High School in Wesson, MS, and graduated from Copiah Lincoln Community College in Pre-Engineering. He attended Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, and Mississippi College. He received a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Twin-Cities University in West Monroe, LA. Upon graduating from Community College, Bro. Nations enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served in Texas, Colorado, and Dover, Delaware. During his tour in Delaware, he assisted Reverend Wayne and Janet Trout in building the first United Pentecostal Church in Dover. At the General Conference in Columbus, Ohio, in 1962, Brother Nations met the love of his life, Peggy Shelton, who became his wife on March 1, 1963.

After serving for 4 years in the United States Air Force, Brother and Sister Nations moved to Mississippi, where they both were employed with South Central Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company, where Brother Nations retired after 28 years. Sis Nations also worked at Bell Telephone Company until their first son, Kevin, was born, and she decided not to continue her secular work but dedicated her time to raising their family.

His dad, Reverend Lonnie Nations, was pastor for 28 years at the Springhill United Pentecostal Church, Wesson, Mississippi, where Brother Nations received the Holy Ghost in 1952 at the age of 14.

After moving to Mississippi, Brother and Sister Nations assisted his dad, Reverend Lonnie Nations, at Springhill UPC for the next 6 years. During this time, he was licensed with the United Pentecostal Church International. In 1966 received his Ordination Charge by General Secretary Stanley Chambers with the UPCI at the Mississippi Camp Grounds near Philadelphia, MS. He has remained an Ordained Minister with the UPCI for over 50 years.

In early 1969, they were called to assume the pastorate of the Bethel Temple UPC near Brookhaven, MS, for the next 8 years. During their tenure at Bethel Temple, they completed a new church building that was already started and built an educational building that housed Sunday School rooms, evangelist quarters, and a fellowship hall.

In prayer, God moved upon Bro and Sister Nations to move the Raymond, MS, as there were no oneness churches in Raymond.  After selling their home, they purchased a house in the area and moved. The Home Missions Department approved the use of the Double Wide Trailer for them to use. Land was purchased, the Home Mission Trailer was set up, and the church was begun. After two years, a new building was erected. Brother and Sister remained there for almost 15 years. In 1992, Brother Nations was elected to serve as the District Secretary and Treasurer of the Mississippi District of the UPCI, where he served for the next 20 years.

For approximately 14 years, Bro Nations served as a chaplain and retired with the Rank of Brigadier General in the Mississippi State Guard.

In addition to serving the Mississippi District Board, Brother Nations has served other boards, including Tupelo Children’s Mansion and Jackson College of Ministries, where he taught Business Administration from 1993-1995. He founded Foster Ministries Inc., where he serves as President, and co-founded Outreach Services, where he served as President for 10 years.

In 2013, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and chosen as Co-Lin’s Alumni of the Year at Copiah Lincoln Community College.

Katrina, a great Disastrous Hurricane, hit the MS Gulf Coast in August 2005, and many United Pentecostal Churches experienced major damage. At this time, under the direction of District Superintendent James E. Carney, Brother Nations was appointed to lead the recovery by determining the needs of each pastor and church, assisted by Reverends Raymond Bowling, Coy Hill, Albert Reid, and James Sandy.

Brother Nations served the Mississippi District United Pentecostal Church in several leadership capacities. He served as Sectional Youth Director, Sectional Sunday School Director, Sectional Home Mission Director, Sectional Presbyter, and District Secretary. During his tenure as District Secretary/Treasurer, Bro. Nations served with four District Superintendents, G. R. Travis, James E. Carney, James E. Sandy, and David Tipton Jr., before retiring in 2012 upon completing 20 years as District Secretary. Presently serves as an Honorary Board Member of the Mississippi District Board.

Brother Nations and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 56 years. They have three sons, Kevin, Anthony, and Davin, and 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

His Slogan is: The Journey Has Been Wonderful!!!

JFN