James Perkins

TeleCounselor

B.A. in Psychology, 2008; North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, NC; M.A. in Biblical Counseling, Dallas Theological Seminary, Current Student.

Worked in Admissions since: April 2009

Thanks for taking time to peruse through our admissions page. As you can see, there are a variety of different people from various backgrounds and different interests that make up the Admissions family; it is a privilege to be able to work with all of them. If you have any questions and want an inside scoop on typical seminary lifestyle, feel free to contact me at your leisure. I would love to share my testimony of God’s faithfulness and provision with you.

My experience at DTS thus far has been transforming, edifying, equipping, energizing, enlightening and a bunch of other words that I could use. I distinctly remember hearing our President, Dr. Bailey, addressing us during orientation. Amidst all the excitement of starting, he made this profound but needed statement: "At no other time will the enemy seek to divide your soul’s interest in the word of God as when you have set aside time to specifically devote yourselves to the study of God’s word and being equipped for ministry to advance the kingdom of God." This statement still comes to my mind often as I am making progress with my degree. Seminary will no doubt be demanding, but the rewards are life-long and eternal. The relationships that I have built with peers, instructors, in conjunction with the overall campus atmosphere, have made a deep-seated impression on me that I will never forget.

I am in great anticipation of seeing how God will cause our paths to cross if this is where He is leading you to pursue studies of not just knowing about God but knowing Him. If you know this is where God is leading you, trust Him, take a step of faith, and He will, like he always does, prove to be faithful to His word.

Be blessed and know that "With God, All Things Are Possible."

What are your hobbies or outside interests?
Reading anything pertaining to Psychology/Counseling, enriching relationships of all kinds, basketball, traveling, mowing grass, investing in people, and eating

What made you decide to go to DTS?
God guided me here by repeatedly closing doors. In retrospect, I'm so glad he did. DTS exceeded my expectations in a lot of ways that I am eternally grateful for.

What do you do on your day off?
Read my own personal books, build relationships with people, do laundry, walk & process, watch a movie

What are your favorite foods?
Lasagna, grilled fish, chicken alfredo, my mother’s vegetable soup, my father’s steak, chicken, and crab legs, bread sticks and soup from olive garden, the biscuits from Red Lobster

What is your favorite television show of all time?
There’s no possible way I can give you one: Tom & Jerry, Bugs & Daffy, Cosby Show, Fresh Prince, CSI, Magical School Bus

What is the best part about working in the DTS admissions office?
By far, the staff. Before I got hired I would just come by to chill out for a little bit - it was like talking to my siblings. And foremost, I’m loving being able to hear people’s stories about how God has woven and tailored all of their life events to fit into what He has called them to do. Assisting and watching this in play is rewarding beyond measure.

What is your favorite piece of literature?
The Pilgrim’s Progress

What is your favorite quote?
Watch your thoughts for they become words,
Choose your words for they become actions,
Understand your actions for they will become
Your habits, study your habits for they become
Your character, develop your character for it
Will become your destiny

What is your favorite musical artist/group/genre of music?
This is a tough one: I have become very eclectic in my music taste over the last couple of years. Fred Hammond, Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin (Select Songs), Yo Yo Ma, classical, smooth & Big Band/swing jazz, Anthony Evans, Tye Tribbet, Byron Cage, Michael W. Smith, Richard Smallwood, select oldies

What was your major in college?
Psychology

Who is the person you admire most and why?
My father, a good but not perfect portrait of servanthood, grace, sacrifice, and love

Who is your favorite Bible character and why?
Joseph - not because he’s a popular character but because when he had a chance to repay his brothers back for all they had put him through, he showed love and didn’t allow the bitterness of the past to overtake him because he trusted in God’s sovereignty.

If you could have superhero powers, what would they be?
Read, retain, and comprehend every word that I have ever read

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Haven’t narrowed it down, but any place with water, warm weather, good scenery, and privacy