Rev. Margaret Sims is the founder and senior pastor of New Bethel A.M.E. Church in Austin, Texas. She is a 4th generation A.M.E. with early roots in the 12th Episcopal District. She comes from a legacy of many ministers. Her great uncle, The Late Presiding Elder R. A. Devers, served the McAlester Distrcit in the 12th Episcopal District, and her father, the Late Presiding Elder Jacob B. Miller, served the McAlester, Muskogee and Ardmore Districts for many years.

Her mother, Rev. Mildred Miller, ordained in 1965, was the first woman ordained an Itinerant elder in the 12th Episcopal District. Rev. Sims has a host of great uncles who served the Tennessee, Oklahoma and Arkansas Districts–all AMEs. Rev. Sims began her pastoral ministry after the sudden death of her husband, Rev. Kennard Sims. She has pastored two churches, Bethel Manchaca A.M.E. Church and New Bethel A.M.E. Church which is a spin off from Bethel Manchaca A.M.E. Church. New Bethel A.M.E. Church is a viable, youth oriented church that boasts of a missionary purpose, youth emphasis and hope for a broken and hurting society.

New Bethel promotes six (6) ministries –youth ministry, singles ministry, women’s ministry, unwed mothers, homeless intervention/crisis ministry, and parental ministry. Rev. Sims is a tried and tested minister who has been called her to serve this present age. Rev. Sims attended Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, matriculated to Paul Quinn College where she graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. She is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the proud mother of three very successful children– Tamara, Jonathan and Kendria.