We've done the hard work. Now we're looking for the leader to take us further.
First Baptist Church of Hopkinsville exists to exalt Jesus Christ, equip His people, and evangelize our community — Glorify God and Make Disciples isn't just our motto, it's who we're trying to be. A few years ago, that meant honest self-examination and the hard, unglamorous work of revitalization: returning to a God-centered, community-focused church, shifting to an elder-led governance model, and rebuilding functional, engaged membership from the ground up.
That work is done, and it worked. We've grown from around a hundred in attendance to 150–175 most Sundays, with a strong and growing number of young families choosing to make this their church home. We're stable. We're healthy. We know who we are.
Now we're praying for a senior pastor who can lead us into the next chapter — one of continued spiritual and numerical growth.
What we're praying for
We want a leader who is genuinely excited to build, not just maintain what's already here. Someone with real energy and vision, who is as at home building relationships in the community as he is in the pulpit.
A pastor first. Someone who exalts Christ above all, teaches God's Word with clarity and conviction, and equips our people to live it out — turning Biblical truth into real discipleship and real ministry in people's everyday lives.
A relationship builder. We want a pastor who forges genuine, caring relationships — with staff, with elders and deacons, with members, and with our neighbors outside the walls of the church. Someone who rolls up his sleeves, works alongside our people, and helps every member find a functional role in ministry.
A grower. You should have a real vision for church growth built on our Glorify God and Make Disciples framework, along with the drive and administrative ability to continue to grow a thriving small group ministry and move us into sustained momentum.
A clear theological voice. We hold to a firm, historic Baptist theological identity, and we are specifically not seeking a pastor who preaches from a Calvinistic or Reformed theological framework. We're looking for someone rooted in a Southern Baptist theological tradition —evangelistic in conviction and clear on the Gospel's free offer to all who respond.
Who we think this might be
This might be a younger pastor, likely in his 30s, with real gifting and hunger, who is looking for room to grow — potentially into leading a large, thriving church down the road. We want to invest in that kind of leader as much as he invests in us.
Or it might be a pastor with experience in an established church, who has already shown he can lead real growth, build staff, and build community — but who has never lost his energy, warmth, and relational instinct. Someone who is real, approachable, and driven.
Either way, we want someone with ideas, the ability to execute them, and the relational depth to bring a whole congregation along for the ride.
The nuts and bolts
A seminary degree is preferred; a master's degree from an SBC-affiliated seminary is a strong plus
Strong preaching ability — Biblically grounded, conversational, and genuinely engaging –with a clear, firmly non-Reformed theological framework
Demonstrated administrative and leadership experience, including managing and developing other staff
A track record of forging real relationships with staff, deacons, and members
A clear, practical discipleship strategy
A vision for spiritual and numerical growth built on our Glorify God and Make Disciples motto
Experience or clear aptitude for developing a thriving small group ministry
A genuine commitment to building relationships and presence in the broader Hopkinsville community
Sound financial stewardship for a growing church
A little about us
Hopkinsville is the central hub of Christian County — the second largest county in Kentucky— located in the western part of the state, known for a thriving agricultural economy and easy access to the Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area. Nashville, Tennessee is about an hour away, giving our people the best of small-town life with a major city close by.
Our facility is large, mature, and full of room to grow, with worship that blends traditional and modern styles. Our children and student ministries are growing again, energized by the wave of young families joining us in recent years.
We have the foundation, the facility, and the momentum. What we're praying for now is the leader God has been preparing for this exact season in our story.
How to apply
We want the person God is leading to us — period. If you sense that calling, we'd love to hear from you. Please send a cover letter, resume, and sermon samples to [email protected].
We are praying for our next senior pastor by name, even before we know it, and we look forward to serving alongside him.
To apply for this job email your details to [email protected]
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