Thanks for visiting our website! My name is Thurman Hayes, and it is my joy to serve as Senior Pastor at FBC, Suffolk. I am married to Melissa, and we have three children: Caleb, Courtney, and Cassidy. God brought us to FBC-Suffolk in February, 2012, but I actually have a deep history in this church, having grown up here. This is my "home church." It was here that I trusted in Christ and was baptized. It was here that I met my wife. And it was here that I interned and was ordained to the gospel ministry.
FBC Suffolk has been a beacon for the gospel for many generations. In fact, I am one of hundreds of pastors and missionaries to have been trained and sent out from this great church. Now, in His providence, God has brought me back. Melissa and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the Lord in a church that has given us so much. The future is bright for FBC-Suffolk. Our ministry is grounded in the expository preaching of the Word of God. We believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and that God works through His Word to bring beautiful transformation and eternal life to people.
We believe that God has called us to be on mission with Him in bringing the gospel to those who are without this life-changing, personal relationship with Jesus, both in our community and around the world. Thus, we are passionate about evangelism, discipleship, and missions. Our vision is to glorify Christ by making disciples of all nations. We long to see people trust in Christ alone and flourish as His followers. This begins with our ministry to preschoolers and little children, continues through our student ministry, and reaches into every stage of adulthood. Believe me, there is a place for you here!
You can get a taste of our services by viewing sermons here on our website, and I hope you will. But the best way to experience what God is doing at FBC is to come worship with us. We want you to share in the blessing of what God is doing. The Spirit of God is moving here, and we would love for you to be a part of it!
Background
Thurman became our Senior Pastor in February of 2012. He received his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity with Languages degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. As an undergraduate, he double-majored in History and Religion at Campbell University. In addition to his experience as a pastor, he has served as a trustee of the International Mission Board and on the Executive Board of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia.