GOD IS THE SOURCE
OF EVERLASTING LIFE

JOHN BELIEVES THAT...

ohn Deberry Jr. preached his first sermon in 1968 at a Sunday afternoon fellowship meeting at his father’s church in Alamo, Tennessee. Through grace and perseverance, he preached this first sermon, all while in high school and has proudly preached every Sunday since then. As a military veteran and preacher, himself, John Deberry Sr. instilled a sense of duty, both civically and spiritually in all his children which helped color John Deberry Jr.’s path. He was involved in integrating his high school in Alamo, marched with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., served as District 90 representative in the TN House for 26 years and now serves as senior advisor to Governor Bill Lee, making him the first African American to fulfill this role.

His favorite verse is John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John conveys that this golden text of the bible is the impetus and foundation for the scheme of redemption. God chose to save us despite ourselves. He did not have to save us. It was not mandated and in fact, the wages of sin is death. However, before there was sin, there was already a Savior; God decided to save us even before we sinned. God sent his son, Jesus to die in our place so that we may regain life.

As a child, John recounts being taken book hunting in secondhand stores by his father which ultimately instilled a love for books, reading and writing especially when it involves studying the scriptures. In his forever child-like imagination, he loves writing children stories which he admits, keeps him mentally sharp and allows him to use that ability to frame many of his sermons creatively and clearly where they can be grasped
by those of all ages. When releasing and relaxing, John loves good sci-fi and adventure movies and when the moment allows, a good round of golf. However, he treasures time spent with his large family the most. “We are just like any other family where despite adversity or even knockdown-drag outs, nothing breaks the bond of love that we share as a family and that I love above other things in life.”

J