Dr. Jeffrey Hessinger begins as pastor of the First Baptist Church

Dr. Jeffrey W. Hessinger began his tenure as the new pastor of the First Baptist Church in Walterboro on Oct. 26.
“It’s a new day at First Baptist Church! I am looking forward to serving the Walterboro community and beyond. This church, with its rich history, will be experiencing necessary changes that will help us reach the people of Colleton County in relevant ways. Our music ministry is changing and getting better each week under the leadership of Jennifer McMillan. The Sunday morning worship experience continues to be biblically informed as we apply truth to our lives,” Hessinger said. “Each Sunday we will gather to celebrate our resurrected Savior at 10:30. We will be putting a lot of energy and resources into strengthening the youth and children’s ministries to impact the next generation with the good news. Our congregation is preparing to be far more effective in serving our beautiful town with the hope of Jesus! Come join us to experience an exciting new day at First Baptist Church.”

Hessinger and his wife, Errin Nicole Hessinger, have five children: Zach, 24; Austin, 19; Sarah, 18; Michael, 16; and Lindsey, 14.
He received his doctor of ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary 2005; his master of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990; a B.A. in biblical education in 1987 from Florida Bible College; and an associate of business administration from Orlando College in 1984. He was ordinated in 1990 in the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
From 2015-2018 he was lead pastor of Oasis at Conway Gardens (Eastside Baptist Church)–Bi Vocational in Orlando, Fla.; team strategist of evangelism for the Florida Baptist Convention from 2002-2014; transitional senior pastor in Florida for Lakewood Ranch Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Jensen Beach, First Baptist Church Riverview, First Baptist Church Tampa, First Baptist Church Eustis, and Lake Carroll Baptist Church, Tampa; and Student ministries pastor for the First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla. Since 2018, he has served as associational missionary at Bartholomew Baptist Association in Warren, Ark.