Dr. Jerry Vines is a native of Carrollton, Georgia and was educated at Mercer University (B.A.), New Orleans Theological Seminary (B.D.), and Luther Rice Seminary, (Th.D.). He has spent over 60 years as a Baptist pastor/preacher and was elected President of several Pastors' Conferences throughout his ministry career. Dr. Vines spent 24 years serving  as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, retiring in 2006 to focus on mentoring and leading a new generation of pastors through his seminars and teaching materials. He and his wife, Janet have four children and seven grandchildren.