Jen G: First I want to say for a person who has dealt with diabetes you look really good! Tell me about the diabetes the doctors diagnosed you with...


Jmiah: I was diagnosed at the age of 13 with type 1 Juvenile Insulin dependant diabetes. I realized it was something I had to deal with so I’ve been taking shots ever since then and learning how to take good care of myself by educating myself on the condition the past 18 years of my life.

Jen G: How did you begin to educate yourself at such an early age?

Jmiah: When I was diagnosed, my parents wanted to make sure I knew what it was all about and how I could really take care of myself. I am very grateful for all of that education, because it has helped me become who I am today.

Jen G: How were your parents instrumental in encouraging you to be all you could be?

Jmiah: WOW… that’s an amazing yet emotional question. I am so very grateful to have the parents I have. They are far from perfect, but they always told me ever since I was young that I could do ANYTHING that I put my heart and mind to, and nothing could stop me because I was smart… and had their blood in me!

Jen G: Now in a sense you really defied your diagnosis. You went onto lift weights, play sports and got a little wild. Tell me how did you go from drugs to Jesus?

Jmiah: Drugs to Jesus? Well… it was getting caught by my Mom my senior year that made me stop those things, but I didn’t surrender to Jesus until my graduation party when I was sick to my stomach, walked outside alone, and there was Jesus right there to meet me. I heard His voice in my heart as clear as day telling me I didn’t want that. So, I laid it down right now… and went after Him. He’s been so good.

Jen G: Why did you start taking drugs?

Jmiah: I don’t know. It was available and I was curious, like most young people do. The first time I tripped acid (LSD) I did it in spite of my ex girlfriend at the time. I figured I’d show her, but it just pushed her further away, so oh well. Lesson learned.

Jen G: And how did your mother find out and how did it make you feel after she found out?

Jmiah: OMG… I felt HORRIBLE… my Mom thinks the world of me as I do her. When I let her down, I just didn’t want to live life knowing that my Mom was disappointed in me. I love for my parents to love and be proud of me.

Jen G: How did it affect your parents?

Jmiah: I’m sure they were disappointed, but they know I’ve learned!

Jen G: Now after you turned you turned to the Lord you really had a vision. How did you end up going to Rhema and how did it set you on the path of youth ministry?

Jmiah: I felt God was drawing me to it as I read one of Kenneth E. Hagin’s books called, “Following God’s Plan For Your Life” the fall of 1994. One day as I was washing dishes for my Mom, I felt that tug in my heart… I heard that voice again telling me to go and preach His word. So I did! WOW… and it’s been an adventure ever since!

Jen G: As you went forth in your church and continued to build up your body, your home life began to unravel. How did you come from such a difficult divorce onto hosting an award winning show?

Jmiah: Now, that’s a question. Well my pastors knew everything. They were there for me since day one of my salvation. They are more than my pastors, they are my spiritual parents, ya know? Well… after I got on with my life over a year after the divorce was final, I began co-hosting Roc House Café. I had people who believed in me, held me up, and pushed me forward.

Jen G: I guess the big question is what kept you from letting yourself go both mentally and physically?

Jmiah: Well… I have to repeat that it was because I had a LOT of people who loved me, and loved on me going through that season.
I can’t begin to exhaust the fact that I might not have made it had I not had those spiritual “mommas” in the church who looked out for their boy and the young people who loved their youth pastor unconditionally. I didn’t give up on them when they went through hell… so when I was going through it… they were there for me. That age group are all adults now and some with kids of their own, but my eyes tear right now remembering how much they loved me to hold me up in that season. We were a strong family and the youth ministry grew leaps and bounds… one of the largest youth ministries in the city. Why? Because of the LOVE and the FUN we had together. Were we perfect? NOPE… I had all sorts of things happen, but… they loved GOD no matter how many times they faced heartache! They were true CHAMPIONS and Soul winners!

Jen G: I'm sure you get your share of criticism for the bodybuilding and the modeling, but what is it about for you? How have you kept the right spirit, knowing that your body is a temple?

Jmiah: Well… I have faced so much! Haha but oh well… hater’s HATE… its their job, its what they do! If anyone needs someone to hate, I welcome them to just hate on me! Oral Roberts said once, “If people are talking about me, it lets me know I’m doing SOMETHING right for God!”

Jmiah Interview pg 2