Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Akins.
Hi Eli , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Life for me wasn’t your typical “pastor story.” I didn’t grow up in chaos or without a foundation—actually, I had a great family. My mom and dad have been married over 40 years, so my whole life I saw consistency, commitment, and love under one roof. But even with that strong foundation, my journey took a very different path than most expect.
I started preaching at 16 years old. Truth be told, preaching wasn’t what I was aiming for. I had dreams in sports—Track and Field was my passion, and I wanted to build my whole future around it. But when God calls, you have to answer, even when the call interrupts your plans. And that’s exactly what happened.
But at the same time, at 16, I became a father to my daughter, Zaria Akins. So there I was—young, gifted, trying to find my way—working jobs, going to school, training for track, preaching sermons, and trying to raise a child. I had the calling, but I also had flaws. I was anointed, but I was also still growing.
As I got older, I strayed. I sold drugs. I joined a gang in Illinois. I walked paths that could have killed me or locked me up. But even on my roughest roads, God never let go. He brought me through things that should have broken me. And every time I look back, I know it wasn’t my strength that saved me—it was His grace.
As I grew closer to God, my mindset began to change. My priorities shifted. The more I surrendered to Him, the more He began to use me. Little by little, He pulled me out of the world’s field and placed me into His field.
From Youth Pastor, to Executive Pastor, serving in different churches, to now standing as Senior Pastor of Fresh Start Church in Lenexa, KS—God ordered every step, even the ones I stumbled on.
I always tell people:
“I’m not your traditional pastor.”
I think differently because of what I’ve seen and where I’ve come from. My past isn’t a setback—it’s part of my testimony. And that’s why I’m honest about my story. Because you never know who’s dealing with the same battles, and your transparency might be the key to someone else’s breakthrough.
Today, I stand where I am not because of perfection, but because of God’s purpose. It’s never been about building my name or my platform. It’s about building God’s Kingdom.
The Bible says, “Seek Him first, not man.”
So everything I do—every sermon, every decision, every sacrifice—is for God’s glory, not my own.
I’m living proof that God can take you from the fields of the world to the pulpit of the Church. From brokenness to leadership. From misdirection to destiny.
And He’s still writing my story
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My Journey Hasn’t Been Easy, But God Has Been Faithful
The road I’ve traveled has been anything but smooth. Raising a family at just 16 years old was a challenge that forced me to grow up fast. By the age of 20, I was married to my wife, Mikki Akins, and together we started building a life from scratch. We didn’t come from much, and there were seasons where we barely had enough. But God kept giving us strength to keep going.
We were young, trying to figure out life, parenthood, marriage, and responsibility all at the same time. It wasn’t always easy. There were struggles, sacrifices, long nights, and moments when the road felt too rough to walk. But by God’s grace, I am where I am today.
Now, after 23 years of marriage, Mikki and I can look back and see how far God has brought us. We have two beautiful daughters who are proof of God’s goodness and favor:
• Zaria, now 26, following her dreams in acting while also working for the City of Kansas City, MO.
• Zaya, 20, blessed with a full scholarship to run track and building a future that we once only dreamed about.
Everything we’ve been through—every struggle, every setback, every “rough road”—has shaped me into the husband, father, and pastor I am today. And every part of my story reminds me of one simple truth:
God can take what looks broken and build something beautiful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve come from a long line of retail leadership—moving from Store Manager, to District Manager, to RVP Training Manager—before stepping fully into my calling as a Pastor. No matter the position or title, one thing has always been true about me: I love people. I love helping people. I’ve walked through enough life to know that judging someone based on what they’re dealing with is never the answer, because at one point, that was me.
God has given me a compassion that comes from experience, not theory. My transparency about my own journey has become a bridge for others. It helps people open up, be honest, and find healing through their own transparency. I believe wholeheartedly that God set me apart to reach and save a dying generation—one conversation, one moment, one soul at a time.
I don’t point people to myself; I point them to Christ. God didn’t put us on this earth to judge people, but to love them the way He has loved us. And that’s what I strive to do every single day
How do you define success?
Success is not measured by a perfect past, flawless decisions, or a straight path. Success is the journey of becoming who God called you to be—despite where you started and despite the mistakes you made along the way.
Success in this story means:
1. Answering God’s Call Even When It Conflicts With Your Plans
You had dreams, ambitions, and a path laid out, but true success came when you surrendered to God’s purpose rather than your own.
2. Overcoming Circumstances Instead of Being Defined by Them
Fatherhood at 16, gang life, drug dealing, and the pressures of youth could’ve destroyed the future—but success came through resilience, repentance, and God’s grace pulling you out.
3. Growing Through Mistakes Instead of Hiding Them
Your flaws didn’t cancel your calling. Success came by learning, evolving, and allowing God to transform your mindset.
4. Letting Your Story Become a Testimony That Helps Others
You share your journey not to boast but to bless. Success is using your past as a bridge for someone else’s breakthrough.
5. Walking Into Leadership With Humility and Purpose
From youth pastor to executive pastor to senior pastor—success is the progression God guided, not a title you chased.
6. Choosing God’s Kingdom Over Your Own Interests
Success, for you, is not about status, image, or tradition. It’s about building God’s kingdom, not a personal empire.
7. Allowing God to Change Your Heart, Mindset, and Direction
The real victory is the internal transformation—your shift from the world’s field to God’s field.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.freshstartchurch.org
- Instagram: @gomz5730
- Facebook: Eli Akins
