Pastor Biography
Rev. James Louis Etchison was born in the city of Loganville, located in Walton County, Georgia, approximately 45 miles east of Stone Mountain. He is the second oldest of eight children birthed by Essie Mae (Etchison) Broughton; biological father being Preston Thompson; step-father being Henry Broughton. His parents were share-croppers for a living.
After high school graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was assigned and trained for the status of combat duty, His first tour of duty was to Southeast Asia Republic of Viet Nam. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds incurred during his military service.
Rev. Etchison earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from formerly Dekalb Junior College; followed by a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting received from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. He later received a Master of Arts in Leadershp from Luther Rice University in Lithonia, Georgia.
Rev. Etchison married Iris B (Porter) Etchison, the love of his life, on April 19, 1980. From this union, God blessed them with two lovely and wonderful daughters: (1) Miyoshia Treion Plummer, husband – Matthew and grandson, Kaden; and (2) Monieka Lashun Etchison Lucas, husband – John and grand-daughter, Liaila CeAnn Stewart.
Rev. Etchison received and answered the call of God into the Ministry in 1988 under the leadership of the late great Pastor B. Z. Daniels of the Carters Hill Baptist Church in Loganville, Georgia, which remains as his honorary church home where he were licensed and ordained.
After casual visitation of several years to First Norman Grove Baptist Church and meeting Pastor, Bishop E. L.Elison , Sr. and the congregation, eventually resulted in twenty years plus of a wonderful, awesome fellowship.
In 1993, Rev. Etchison was installed as Assistant Pastor of First Norman Grove Baptist Church. He is a very well-rounded individual who work in love, wisdom, humility, with courage, patience, joy and self-denial. He cares for the sick and the sorrowing. Those in trouble know him as a friend who is always to be counted upon and he is always alerted to be wherever he is most needed in these capacities. He works throughout the church and hold the offices of Vice Chairman of the Outreach Committee and the Advisor of the Prayer Band.
Rev. J. L. Etchison was installed as Pastor of First Norman Grove Baptist Church on May 19, 2019.
As a result of his faithfulness to the work of the Kingdom, God has tremendously blessed his ministry. He is highly respected among his peers as a praying preacher. Over the years, he has been selected as the keynote speaker in many churches and family reunions.
Rev. Etchison continues to support the congregation and church by all the many acts of love that he shows and of his assistance in the upkeep of the church. He is a strong God-fearing Servant, who is a Lover of the Lord who preaches and teaches God’s Word.