Today we’d like to introduce you to John Hilts.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was called into the ministry when I was 19 years old. I was studying Social Work at a local Community College in Syracuse, NY when I received a phone call from a pastor in Lowville, NY to come and be their youth minister. Since then, I have filled several roles in many churches in upstate, NY for 23 years. In 2013 I transitioned into pastoral ministry in Eastern, NC. I served in two churches for 10 1/2 years. in 2023 I got a call from First Christian Church of Babson Park, FL to serve as there Pastor.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ministry is hard and not to be entered into lightly. One of the first things I learned in college while preparing for a life in ministry was this: “If you are in this for the money…GET OUT! Get a different degree.”
I feel that when you are called into ministry, it’s a life long commitment. My road has not been easy, I’ve served in some bad churches and I’ve served in some great churches, it’s been hard, but I know the Lord called me for a purpose, to seek and to save the lost.
Jesus said, “In this life you will have troubles, trials, hard times, but take heart I have overcome the world.” I have learned a lot over the years serving the Lord in churches. I’ve faced racism, back stabbing and even got driven out of one church all together, but I know the Lord has been preparing me all along to serve Him better and to serve others better. It saddens me to see so many pastors/ministers who have been chewed up and spit out by many different churches and leave the ministry for good.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to draw, write, work on crafts with my wife and record online devo’s with my YouTube channel.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Going to Edisto Island with my friend and his family. It was my first time out of New York State and I so enjoyed South Carolina and walking on the beaches.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://firstchristianbp.com/
- Instagram: @bubbahiltssr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.a.hilts
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhiltssr/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnhiltssr
Image Credits
Most of these are all my images, however, the rainbow picture was sent to our church via website by someone in our community. The sunrise picture was submitted to me by one of my elders, Jack Cooper.
