Apostle Dr. Norbert Simmons, center, has been awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest honor. Left to right are, Congressman Don Davis of Snow Hill who presented the honor; Simmons’ wife Gwen; Simmons; Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton; and Goldsboro Mayor Charles Gaylor. Simmons, a Mount Olive native, is the founder of Deeper Life Church Ministries in Goldsboro. (Contributed photo)
“May the work I’ve done speak for me.”
With those few words Apostle Dr. Norbert E. Simmons, founder of Deeper Life Church Ministries in Goldsboro, was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
A Mount Olive native, Simmons is the son of the late Levancie and Georgie Lena Jones Simmons and is a Carver High School graduate.
Congressman Don Davis of Snow Hill presented the honor Sunday, March 2, during the 41st anniversary celebration for Deeper Life Church Ministries where Simmons also was honored as the church’s founder.
He also was presented with a custom ring and a lapel pin with the LLP emblem on it.
According to The Order of the Long Leaf Pine website, “Since 1963, North Carolina’s governors have reserved their highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.”
Simmons founded Deeper Life Church Ministries in 1984 with just nine members. It has since grown to more than 2,000 members.
According to the church website the church “has blossomed into a city shaking, culture shifting entity that is a beacon of light in the city of Goldsboro.”
Simmons, who retired from pastoring in 2020, earned a Master of Theology as well as Doctorate of Theology from the N.C. College of Theology at Carolina Beach.
He previously served on the college’s board of advisors.
He has written two books “A Man’s Integrity is a Woman’s Security” and “Trusting God When You Don’t Understand Why.”
Simmons also is a recording artist with The Gospelaires.
He has served on the Southeastern North Carolina Pastor’s Coalition Executive Board North Carolina Pastors Consortium Board of Advisors
Under his leadership the church has been instrumental in finding homes for the homeless and Simmons was a community activist in community awareness.
He set up counseling for people seeking to overcome alternative lifestyles and drug addiction.
Simmons strongly supports Habitat for Humanity and has worked as hospital chaplain.
