Welcome to First Baptist Church Hilton Head Island!

First Baptist Church Hilton Head Island is a Southern Baptist church located across the street from the Atlantic Ocean on beautiful Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. We use the Bible to teach about the Lord Jesus Christ through our various ministries. The goal of the church is for every person to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, to have fellowship with Him and a Christian body of believers, and to use their gifts and talents in service to the Lord, helping others to know and understand His saving grace.

Our church is a place where “islanders and island visitors worship together”. We warmly welcome guests from all over our country and world. If you are new to the island, a long-time resident, or a visitor from another place, we invite you to join us not only for worship but to also take advantage of everything our church has to offer you and your family.

You can learn about what we believe as Southern Baptists via “The Baptist Faith and Message”.

Meet The Staff

REV. BRETT MYERSPASTOR
Pastor Brett started at FBCHHI in April of 2018. Prior to FBCHHI, Brett served as a Senior Pastor in Westminster, SC before moving to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to plant and pastor a church with the North American Mission Board. First Baptist was Brett and his family’s “vacation church” since 1998, so he’s had a great appreciation and love for our church for many years.
Brett grew up in Laurel, MS and in Gainesville, GA. Brett has been married to Kristin since June 4, 2005, and they have four cute little girls, Eden, Karis, Lydia, and Abigail; so our pastor gets regular hair-brushing sessions at home with “his girls.”
Brett is full of excitement and energy as he leads our church to build on our rich history and to continue to become a church focused on reaching those outside our walls. He is passionate about preaching God’s Word accurately and applicably, about making disciples who make disciples, and about investing himself into our staff and leadership.
Brett earned a BS in Business Management from Berry College, a M.Div in Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a MBA in Leadership from Brenau University, and is pursuing a D.Min in Catalytic Leadership in Church Planting from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Associate Pastors

REV. DON HANSEN, JR.MINISTER OF MUSIC & MISSIONS
Don Hansen joins us as Minister of Music from First Baptist Church Myrtle Beach. He and his wife, Debbie, have two sons, Joshua, and Jared. He has been instrumental in bringing Christ into the communities where he has served before including First Baptist Church, Sumter, SC, Village Parkway Baptist Church San Antonio, TX, Freeway Manor Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, and others. He has also pastored youth at previous churches. Along with directing choirs for adults, youth, and children, he has directed ensembles, instrumentalists, and seasonal music presentations. Don very successfully implemented and coordinated ‘Reading Buddies Outreach Ministry ‘ to Myrtle Beach Primary and Elementary Schools with 200 + volunteers. FBCHHI is happy to have a versatile musician with a vision of taking the gospel outside the walls of the church.
REV. RUSTY FREEMANMINISTER OF FAMILIES
Rusty is a graduate of Anderson University and Covington Theological Seminary. He has been serving children, youth, and families in the ministry for the last 21 years. Rusty was blessed to be raised in a home with godly parents. Through this blessing, he sees the importance of parents raising their children to love the Lord. He and his wife Amber share the same birthday and have been blessed with six children, Addie, Ellis, Grant, Rylee, Wells, and Karis. Rusty enjoys spending time with family, hunting, and fishing, and playing sports. His passion is preaching & teaching God’s Word and seeing people come to know the Lord and walk with Him. Rusty is excited to partner with this great church to impact Hilton Head families for Christ one home at a time.
GEOFFREY LAWSONCHURCH PLANTING RESIDENT
Geoff has a passion for God’s word and a passion to equip the local church. Whether it is preaching, teaching, learning, or meeting new people. His life’s purpose is to serve God. Geoff is married to his college sweetheart Erica and they are blessed to have five children, Hannah, Rebekah, Rachel, Sarah, and Andrew. Geoff is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where he received a Th.M. He also holds a B.A. in English and a J.D. from Howard University and Howard University School of Law.

Administrative Staff

Olivia RainwaterMedia Director
Olivia Rainwater graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design and a music minor in May of 2023. Her love for church ministry began with several summer internships in Boston, MA, Lake Tahoe, CA, and Alpharetta with churches where she used her photography, media, graphic design, and music talents to help spread the gospel and impact others. She is excited to be a part of this team and ready to serve this community.
DANIELLE CUMMINGSOffice Manager
Danielle Cummings is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She and her husband, Scott, have five children and two grandchildren. Danielle has always had a passion for fostering connections and making a difference in people’s lives. Danielle is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the ministry’s mission and serve the community of Hilton Head Island in a meaningful way.
Cindy SmithReceptionist
Cindy Smith is from Goodview, VA, a small town outside of Roanoke, VA. After attending Virginia Western Community College, she became involved with insurance and was the CEO of an insurance agency near York, SC. She took early retirement approximately 15 years ago and moved to HHI, SC in 2018. After visiting FBCHHI several months ago, she and her husband Howard joined. She feels very fortunate that God brought them here, and has offered her a way to serve him.

Custodians

RICHARD LEWISCUSTODIAN
In addition to being an incredible greeter, a wonderful Sunday School teacher, and an awesome deacon, Richard also serves as one of our church custodians. As such, he helps not only to clean our facilities, but is also gifted at repairs and other projects as needed. Richard and Rosa (whom he affectionately calls “Babycakes”) were married in NC on February 4, 1966. Richard and Rosa have 3 daughters, one who went home to be with the Lord at just 9 months old, as well as Pamela and Melisha. They are also proud grandparents to 6 grandchildren.
Richard and Rosa have vacationed to Hilton Head and visited First Baptist annually since 1995. He’s served in his role as our custodian since September 2013. Prior to retirement to our little oasis, Richard worked as a welder for over 43 years in Maryland.
Richard appreciates most the love that he has found at First Baptist, and hopes to help us become an even more radiant light to those who walk in darkness as they come and hear the truth of God’s Word preached and taught at First Baptist.
Richard is passionate about sharing his faith, and in his spare time enjoys traveling to see family and cycling.
Larry RhodesCUSTODIAN
Larry Rhodes is originally from McKinney, Virginia. He lived in Beaufort, SC with his wife, Dorothy, in whom he cherished for 34 years. He has two adult children.
Larry is deeply committed to the work of the Lord and He has a servant heart.
He has served his country in The United States Navy and retired from the Federal Government after 31 years.