When he is not preaching the gospel across the US Prophet Parris Jackson has to take out the trash.

He is also a basketball fan and enjoys playing with friends. After all he is only 13-years-old.

Parris made his international debut as a preacher on Thursday night at Bermuda's faith based tourism event "A Nation at Risk".

He spoke of the need for people to return to traditional values and follow the path of God in a lively sermon which had people on their feet and clapping in the aisles.

Dressed in a neon-blue pin stripe suite and white shoes he jumped and danced his way through the 25 minute sermon — even though he was only a few inches taller than the podium.

In the audience were his five younger siblings and his parents Lawrence and Vicki.

His story is a remarkable one.

His parents were astounded when he turned to them at the age of three and told them he planned to spend his life preaching God's word.

And they were bowled over when he told them it was time for him to give his first sermon — at the age of six.

After the family prayed with their preacher it was decided that Parris should address the congregation of his local church and give his first gospel address.

His father said: "It was amazing to watch him, he spoke for an hour and was discussing church business he did not know about. People could not believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"It was amazing to see how God has laid his hands on such a small boy with child like faith."

And Parris said: "Perhaps I am small in size, but big otherwise."

Since then he has continued to preach with the support of his local church in North Carolina.

In 2005 he also went on a tour across America and has been featured on ABC News, numerous radio shows and has filmed services which are shown weekly on several religious channels.

But he said he was still a regular kid.

"I still have to do my chores," he said. "And I go to school. Some of my friends go to my church so they see me preach but other kids don't really know about it."

He admitted that some students at his school have teased him because of his gift, but said he just ignores them and that it does not upset him.

He added that he has enjoyed his time in Bermuda and hoped to be invited back again.

To find out more about Parris's preaching visit www.parrisjacksonministries.com.