James “Jim” Leroy Rawlins

Posted on May 16, 2018

James “Jim” Leroy Rawlins, 68, was united with his Savior May 11, 2018, in Gainesville. Jim was born Oct. 15, 1949, in Bartow, to Leroy Rawlins and Mildred Rawlins.

Jim honorably served our country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a revivalist, apostle, author, college professor, pastor, school principal, and after forty plus years of ministry, prior to getting sick, he traveled throughout the nation, unlocking regions for a move of God.

Jim dreamed one night as a young boy he was standing behind the podium in the U.S. Senate praying for revival in America. That dream placed a lifelong burning desire inside of him for a Third Great Awakening in his dearly beloved America. That burning desire resulted in the founding of Keys of Awakening Ministries.

In August of 2016, the Lord asked Jim if he was going to live in Taylor County and leave it the same. A few months later, the strategy for this was given and Impact Taylor Prayer Group was founded. This group of prayer warriors formed and began to work on uniting the body of Christ to advance the Kingdom of Heaven in defeating drugs in our region.

Jim served in full time ministry over forty years. His multifaceted ministry of revivalist, apostle, missionary, author, and also serving in Christian education as teacher, principal and college professor equipped him to unlock regions. God not only gifted and prepared Jim to unlock regions but uniquely equipped him to father a coming generation of revivalists. His heart’s desire was to not pass the baton of revival to the next generation but to run alongside of them as a multi-generational army marching towards revival.

Jim authored four published books including, “Twenty-one Keys of Awakening.”

Jim was preceded in death by: his first wife, Neva Rawlins; his father, Leroy Rawlins; and his brother, Robert S. “Bobby” Rawlins.

Jim is survived by: his wife, Joan Rawlins; his children, Linda Wolf, Cheryl Laprade (Mike), Jon Rawlins (Jessica) and Maggie Wallace (Paul); his stepchildren, Chad Agner (Coleen), Samantha Crouse and Christopher Sessions; his mother, Mildred Rawlins; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 14, at 11 a.m. at First Assembly of God of Perry with Bro. Gary Brett and Bro. David Stephens officiating. Interment services followed immediately afterwards in Shiloh Cemetery. The family received friends from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, May 14, at First Assembly of God of Perry.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fisher House, a private/public partnership that supports America’s military and their families in their time of need, at gainesvillefisherhouse.org. All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com