Fernandez Sims
Fernandez "Brother" Sims (born c. 1964 in Birmingham) is the pastor of Charis Community Church, a case manager at Impact Family Services, and a candidate for Mayor of Birmingham in the 2017 Birmingham municipal election.
Sims grew up in Birmingham and attended Kingston and Gibson Elementary Schools, Kennedy Middle School, and Woodlawn High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as a dental technician and also as a combat medic in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his discharge he went on to earn a degree from Southeastern Bible College.
In addition to pastoring Charis Community Church, Sims has worked as a bereavement coordinator for St Vincent’s Home Health and Hospice and volunteered with numerous organizations, including the A. G. Gaston Nursing Home, Firehouse Shelter, Mission Birmingham, ARC of Jefferson County, Alabama Youth Homes and others.
Sims announced his candidacy for Mayor in March 2017. He pledged to conduct a "forensic audit" of the city's budget and to ensure that underserved neighborhoods would receive a greater share of public resources. He also promised to work hard on improving Birmingham City Schools and to boost morale for public safety workers.
In 2018 Sims and attorney Richard Rice founded Charis for Communities which provides immediate counseling assistance to families impacted by homicide.
Sims and his wife, the former LaWanda Minley, have five children.
References
- Edgemon, Erin (March 31, 2017) "Fernandez Sims, Birmingham native and pastor, announces run for mayor." The Birmingham News
- Jones, Monique (April 6, 2017) "Pastor Fernandez Sims on running for mayor: 'We have 99 neighborhoods... 96 are uncared for'." The Birmingham Times
- Scott, Ryan (May 2, 2017) "Brother Fernandez Sims campaigns for a united Birmingham." Weld for Birmingham
- Edgemon, Erin (August 22, 2018) "New non-profit provides compassionate response to Birmingham violence." The Birmingham News
External links
- Brother Sims for Mayor campaign website