The Body of Christ Assembly, Inc.

In January of 1977, Brother Samuel C. Watkins Sr. joined the United States Army. He was positioned as an enlisted specialist. There he learned discipline and self-control, while adjusting to an environment that posed great opposition. Shortly after his conversion in November of 1979, God called Brother Watkins into the ministry to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the time of his enlistment, he became the pastor’s assistant, in one of the Foreign Missions located right outside the base in West Germany. This work enhanced his opportunity to meet and minister to people of many races and ethnic backgrounds.

 

In January 1981, Brother Watkins returned to his home in Rome, Georgia where he began to work with local church assemblies, and different pastors in the community. Brother Watkins became greatly concerned about the tremendous barriers that existed amongst the local assemblies he encountered. Each church assembly professed to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet because of certain bi-laws, denominational creeds, and organizational doctrines, fellowship amongst these assemblies could not be obtained. God’s Holy word does not speak of any particular church denomination or organization in which he will return. Christ is coming back for His bride who will consist of born-again believers that are established on His word. 

 

In 1983, Brother Watkins took a job at Floyd Medical Center. It was there that he met his lovely wife-to-be, Licensed Practical Nurse-Diane Dillard. Their mutual love for Christ and each other drew them closer together. On August 27, 1983, Brother Watkins and Sister Dillard were united in holy matrimony. Together they worked in the ministry in which God gave them. 

Their family grew quickly.  They were blessed with three wonderful children: Anthony, Natalie, and Sam Jr. 

 

In the year of 1987, Brother Watkins was lead by God to go the Statesboro, Ga. to assist in establishing a bible study at the home of Brother and Sister J.R. Holloway. He along with his wife, children, parents (Mom and Pop Watkins) and other co-workers in the Lord, commuted from Rome to Statesboro, twice a month for several years. The bible study grew and as time passed, God placed Brother Watkins as overseer of the bible study. 

 

During this time, he also began a ministry in the family’s home on Don Caster Road in Rome, Ga. Pastor Watkins was ordained by God to establish a ministry that would specifically minister to people who were spiritually drained. He was given a vision enabling him to witness to people of different nationalities, becoming established in their personal relationship with God. Also, it was and still is Pastor Watkins’ desire to see clergy join hand in hand to fulfill God’s purpose with denominational barriers. After much prayer and fasting, on June 6, 1992 The Body of Christ Assembly, Inc. was established. On September 18, 1993, Pastor Watkins was lead by God to move his wife and three children to Statesboro, Ga. After moving he continued the ministry he had begun. Church services continued to be held at the home of his sister, Annette Holloway and her husband J.R. Holloway, while bible study was held at Pastor and First Lady’s home.

 

January 1994, the Lord blessed the Body of Christ Assembly Inc. to lease a church building located at 238 west Main Street where they resided for 7 years. In 1995, the church purchased six acres of land off the out skirts of Statesboro, Ga. In May of 2001, the present building was erected. 

 

Another blessing in the form of release came in 2004. After many years of being a full-time pastor and working a full-time job, Pastor Watkins was blessed to leave his secular job and focus solely on the ministry.   

 

The Body of Christ Inc. continued to grow and change. Under Pastor Watkins’ leadership and at the ushering of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Watkins sets out to find a church covering to maintain accountability and develop leadership. Abundant Life Ministries met this need in April of 2005, where Pastor Woodrow Walker and First Lady Francine Walker preside.   

 

Just as water must move and flow so that it does not become stagnant, so have Pastor Watkins and his family. He is presently pursuing a degree in sociology at Georgia Southern University. He is also on the advisory committee of the AABOC- a coalition of African American business’ men and women.  

His wife, Diane Watkins, completed her bachelor’s of science degree in nursing in 2002. She worked as a registered nurse in the areas of telemetry nursing and hospice nursing before becoming full-time in the ministry. She is also acting president of READY 2000- a nonprofit outreach program designed to reach children and young adults.  

Their oldest son, Anthony proved to be incredibly intelligent and hard working. He graduated with honors from high school and went on to graduate from the University of Georgia in accounting. He later obtained his Master's degree at Georgia Tech. He is now a CPA living in Kansas City, Missouri. He has been blessed with an adorable son named A. Anthony Watkins III in December of 2013.

 

Their lovely daughter Natalie grew into a woman of tremendous kindness and concern for others- especially young people. She also graduated from high school with honors and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in education from Georgia Southern University. She recently completed her masters of education degree in mathematics education and is currently employed at Charter Conservatory as the middle school social studies teacher. Natalie also met the love of her life in Bulloch county, Korey Cone, who is an artist and recently received his degree as a Master barber. They married in November of 2004. They also were blessed to give birth to Pastor and First Lady Watkins’s first grandchild-Akoria Cone. They currently live in Statesboro, Ga. 

 

Their youngest son Samuel Jr. is a young man very similar to his father.  His easygoing nature endears him to those around him. He’s extremely generous and quick to laugh. He’s also gifted in dealing with and understanding electronics and tech items. He graduated from high school and went on to take classes at Georgia Southern University before traveling to Afghanistan for a year. Prior to moving to Afghanistan, he met and married the lovely vocalist-Evangeline Huff in a winter wedding. After returning to the states, Sam graduated and put his tech skills to use and is employed with Alltel Communications.  His wife, Evangeline, continues expresses her gift of making women look beautiful from home as a cosmetologist. They currently have two handsome little boys, Romeo and Angelo. They currently reside in Ellenwood, GA.

 

Although there have been many ups and downs on this journey, God has proven himself and his servants. Pastor Watkins and First Lady Diane continue to press on in Jesus name serving his people as He has directed them and continue to witness the restoration of Jesus Christ to this dying world.