By Rebecca Kelley
Staff Writer
Goodrich – It has been the inspiration and influence of each father’s faith in God that has given birth to three generations of pastors at The Point church.
Campus Pastor, Joshua Combs, 26, officially joined the pastoral care at The Point, 9430 Perry Road in January 2008 which established three generations of pastors working at The Point together for the first time.
Josh’s father is The Point’s founding Pastor, Jim Combs, Jr. Jim’s father is the church’s Associate Pastor, Jim Combs, Sr.
‘My father was a preacher. He was killed in a coal mine collapse in West Virginia in 1948, I was only 7-years-old,? said Jim Combs, Sr. My mother married another man. He wasn’t a good man. So I was raised in a way which pointed me in the wrong direction.?
Jim Senior, now 67, said he became a teenage alcoholic at only 14-years-old. ‘The Lord delivered me from alcoholism in 1973 when I got saved,? he said.
He said it was when he started going to church God called him into the ministry to be a pastor. Having pastored his own church for nine years, he decided to join his son in ministry at The Point in 2003.
Reflecting over his life and the three generations of pastors which include his son and his grandson, he teared up.
‘I don’t have the words for it. I just thank God for His grace and mercy on my life. There wasn’t anything I ever did to deserve anything like this from God. I love Him because He loved me first.?
Jim Senior’s son Jim, Jr. currently pastors five campuses, The River, The Point, The Rock, Faith Baptist Church and New Life Camp.
In 1989 he started with 100 members at Atlas Community Baptist Church in Goodrich and has grown his church ministry to five church campuses which have approximately 10,000 members.
‘I don’t know if I can take any credit. I would love to tell you that I do a great job, however I am surrounded by incredible women who do amazing things. My mother Jeannie works at The Point in our children’s ministry and does a fantastic job. My wife Carole is one of the most Godly women I have ever met,? he said.
Diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Jim Jr. has benefited from the disorder.
‘Although some people might think being diagnosed with ADHD would be a negative, it has really helped me to have the energy I need to keep up with five different ministries. I am very high energy, but most of all I love people. That is really what energizes me,? he said, reflecting on preaching eight times on Sunday mornings at the five different church campuses.
He and his wife Carole have also founded a new ministry called the EsKape, a retreat for children. They said they plan to retire there, committing the rest of their lives to kids. The 26 acres in Clarkston has been purchased and construction is underway. They also host their own couples? conference each year where approximately 150 couples attend.
‘I just got back from Zambia, Africa where approximately 1,000 pastors across the United States shared God’s word.?
Although his ministry is a lesson in church growth for other pastors, Jim Sr. believes his real accomplishments are his family. He said his five children Joshua, Caleb, Isaiah, Luke and Angel have all committed their lives to Christ.
‘It is a calling in our family,? said the youngest, Campus Pastor Joshua Combs. ‘I affectionately refer to it as the family business. It is what God has privileged us to do and that is to serve God’s people.?
Joshua said he is responsible for everything that happens at The Point from top to bottom. ‘I speak at the 8:30 a.m. service and Dad gives his sermon at 10:30 a.m.
‘When I was 5-years-old I accepted Christ as my Savior. My grandfather and dad were there that night. I knew that I was going to be a pastor.?
Married to Jennifer, the couple have three children. Claire, Belle and son Maverick who is five months old.
‘My dad is by far the hardest worker I have ever met in my life. He knows his time here on earth is limited, so everything he does is very very important to him.?
Josh said ministry is all about trust. ‘My grandfather, my dad and I have to earn the trust of our membership. Once they trust us then we believe we will be able to give them God’s solutions to their problems. That’s how Jesus did it, he came to earth to live a human life to give us solutions to everyday living.?