SHERMAN, TX-- Pastor James deMelo had a unique upbringing and an unusual career, until he traded it all in for what he calls, a more fulfilling life.

"I had dyslexia as a child, I struggled through school. I was told I wouldn't amount to anything, I was raised in a very tough neighborhood. Most of my childhood friends are either dead today or are in jail, or going to jail. So it was a really tough neighborhood, and I pulled myself through that," he said.

James deMelo's life has been full of changes and tough decisions. Almost 20 years ago he made a drastic career change from body building to ministry.

"We all get old. And I'm so glad I didn't put everything in that basket because today I'm forty-six and I don't look like that anymore," deMelo said.

He spent much of his teens and twenties competing in competitions and posing for magazines. But after a while he says things started to get old.

"It wasn't what I thought it was going to be, the fulfillment."

People who attend Covenant Church in Sherman say they like pastor deMelo because he seems down to earth.

"I often have people say to me, you don't look like a pastor. You don't talk like a pastor. You don't say the same things that churchy people do. I always take that as a compliment. I say well good. I don't want to be the normal image that people have I want to be someone who is approachable reachable and relevant for your life. And can just be a person who can help you and sometimes that needs to be someone you can approach."

deMelo began searching for a more fulfilling career in the early 1990's, but it was a serious car accident in 1998 that truly drew him towards the church.

"April 24th, 3:15, 1998. You don't forget things like that," he said.

The accident left deMelo with a broken neck, back and shoulder blade. He also broke several ribs. But he says it was his faith that pulled him through and now he shares that strength with others.

Pastor deMelo and his wife Misty have worked at Covenant Church for almost four years. They've made a few changes even adding a weight room so deMelo could sneak in a work out while he's at work.

Covenant Church will hold two services on Christmas Eve.