Behind the ministry
Dr. J. Herbert Hester
I was saved during my high school days and answered God’s call to preach, sometime later. Over a period of 41 years, I served as Senior Pastor in 6 churches; each with multiple full-time pastors on staff.
From 1966 to 1972, I was part of a group of high school and college students organized by The New Mexico Baptist State Convention to minister to churches across the state. During college and seminary, I served several churches part-time and traveled with an evangelistic team. I was called to my first full-time pastorate in Albuquerque, after graduating with a Master of Divinity Degree from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
As a pastor, I had many opportunities to preach revivals and lead conferences in 12 states across our nation, from Alaska to Florida, and Pennsylvania to New Mexico. God also used my athletic background to open doors with professional, college and high school teams. I was on the practice field and spoke to the team before games at The University of Central Florida and Santaluces High School in West Palm Beach, FL. I met with the basketball team in the same capacity at Ridgeway High School in Memphis, TN. I had the privilege of leading Bible Studies with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins as well.
I count it a great privilege to have served the Southern Baptist Convention. In the late 70’s I was trained to help churches set up the Deacon Family Ministry Plan, which I taught at Glorieta Conference Center and several local churches. I was invited to participate in the partnership between the Florida and Pennsylvania Conventions--traveling to Pennsylvania to lead Associational Meetings and workshops on Deacon Ministry, Finance/ Budget and Church Structure.
I have had the unique opportunity to serve on two college boards: Union University in Jackson, TN and Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, FL.
In the fall of 2016, God laid on my heart a call to a new ministry of strengthening churches and spiritual warfare. He led me to retire, and I resigned as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Tullahoma, TN on July 31, 2016, eager to begin and focus on this new venture. The Wardrobe Readiness Ministry was birthed and I am now working with a board of directors, preaching revivals, teaching conferences, filling pulpits and serving as interim pastor.
I am truly grateful to be blessed with exceptional health, allowing me to continue enjoying studying, teaching and preaching anywhere God leads.