His Birth Reverend Dr. John W. Wilkins was born on June 18, 1954, in Wellford, SC, to the late Daniel Wilkins and the late Josephine Glenn Wilkins. He grew up in the Campobello, Wellford, Holly Springs, and Inman areas of South Carolina.

His Education Pastor Wilkins graduated and received his Diploma in June 1972 from Chapman High School, Inman, SC. He attended Cornerstone Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC and took extension courses until September 1981. He then attended Columbia Bible Institute in White Rock, SC from September 1981 to May 1987 and received his Bachelor of Ministry Degree with Honors and a Master of Ministry Degree in October 1990. Then, he attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee and received his Degree in Christian Education and a Theology Degree in 1996. Rev. John was on the Dean's List from 1991 to 1996.  On May 22, 2015, Pastor Wilkins was one of five recipients to receive an Honorary Doctor of Theological Studies Degree from the Martin-Webb Learning Center, Inc., & the N. J. Brockman School of Theology in Greenville, SC.

His Spiritual Journey Pastor Wilkins accepted Christ into his life at age 10, soon after joining Mountain View Baptist Church. At this early age, Pastor Wilkins served as an usher, Sunday School teacher of the youth class, trustee, and then an ordained deacon. On August 17, 1981, God called Pastor Wilkins into the gospel ministry and he preached his initial sermon on October 11, 1981, while serving under Rev. J.C. Luster of Simpsonville, SC at Mountain View Baptist Church. Pastor Wilkins then enrolled in the School of Religion to further his knowledge and attended extension courses at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC where the late Rev. B. T. Sears was pastor. He was under the instruction of the late Rev. Dr. E. C. Crouch, President of the institute. While attending the School of Religion, he served as Associate Pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church, Campobello, SC from 1981 to 1986. He was ordained by the Council of Churches of the North Enoree Baptist Association, while Rev. J. E. Young was Presiding Moderator, and was elected and installed as Pastor of the Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church in January 1987. He served thirty-six years as Pastor of the Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church in Campobello, SC.

His Accomplishments Pastor Wilkins served as Moderator of the North Enoree E&M Baptist Association for seven years. He has served as the First and Second Vice President of the North Enoree Sunday School Congress, the First Vice Moderator of the North Enoree Baptist Association of Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, North EnoreeSunday School Congress Teacher, Mountain View Baptist Church Adult Sunday School Class Teacher, lead singer, and member of The Rock of Ages Gospel Group of Wellford, SC since 1970, Instructor at the N. J. Brockman School of Theology, Advisor of the North Enoree E&M Baptist Association Brotherhood, Chairperson of North Enoree E&M Baptist Association 3-Night Revival Committee, Advisory Council member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (I.M.A.), and served as Pastor of the Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Wilkins served as Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the North Enoree Union, Spartanburg County from December 1987 to December 1996, Cooperate Board Member of the Greenville County of Churches 1992 to 2005, 2nd Vice Moderator of the North Enoree Association of Union 1997 to 2000, President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greer & Vicinity (I.M.A.) 1997 to 2001, 1st Vice Moderator of the North Enoree Association of Union 2001 to 2002, Moderator of the North Enoree Association of Union from 2002 to 2005, 2nd Vice President of the North Enoree Missionary Sunday School Congress 2006 to 2012, 2nd Vice Moderator of the North Enoree Missionary Baptist Association of Greenville/Spartanburg 2006 to 2012, member and attendee of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. from 1986 to Present. Pastor Wilkins is the author of, "Sermons from Above", a book compiled of various sermon messages that the Lord God has allowed him to preach to not only the Mountain View family, but to other congregations of numerous churches near and far.

His Honors Awards received are: Daily Guide Posts in August 1987, Certificate of Fellowship for Counseling – Crisis in Today's Family from the Columbia Bible Institute in December 1989, Certificate of Appreciation given by the Mountain View Youth Group for Ministering the Word in December 1992, Best All-Around given by the North Enoree Youth Auxiliary in 1993 and 2001 Youth Advisor, Emeritus President of I.M.A. of Greer & Vicinity in February 2002, Pastor & Church of the Year, given by the North Enoree Missionary Baptist Association of Greenville and Spartanburg County in September 2004, Who's Who Award Metropolitan in 2006, Supreme Award Cooperative Board Member in Greenville County of Churches in April 2006, Pastor and Church of The Year 2011, and Sunday School Teacher of the Year North Enoree Association 2011 - 2012.

His Legacy He leaves to cherish fond and loving memories to his loving wife of fourteen years, Marilyn D. Hawes Wilkins of the home; stepsons who he called his sons, Cartez Hawes and Desmond Hawes of Spartanburg, SC and Jaston Hawes of Camden, SC; reared in the home as a son, C. W. Wilkins of Sigsbee, SC; siblings, Lee Daniel (Hester) Wilkins of Campobello, SC, DeWitt (Bobbie) Wilkins of Neptune, NJ, Isaac (Jackie) Wilkins and Noah (Sandra) Wilkins of Welford, SC, Hattie W. Jones of Spartanburg, SC and Emma Coleman of Boiling Springs, SC; seven wonderful grandchildren; two marvelous great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, ministry sons and daughters, and members of Mountain View Baptist Church of Campobello, SC.

Those Who Preceded Him He was preceded in death, along with his parents, by siblings, Catherine Thomas, Vennie Wilkins and Sarah Jane Wilkins.

In Benediction Although listed, nothing about these accolades that have been established are more important than Pastor Wilkins being born again, accepting God's Call into the ministry, being a child of God, a man of God, a Christian, a servant, a warrior for Christ, and a humble messenger for the Most High God.  One of Pastor Wilkins' favorite passages of scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 .... "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

On the morning of Sunday, December 18, 2022, Reverend Dr. John W. Wilkins transitioned from 'Labor to Reward'. His legacy of Faith and Family will be forever remembered.  We give praise for a life filled with the goodness and mercy of God.