CHIP STEVENS
Senior Pastor
Chip (Walter N.) Stevens became the 23rd Senior Pastor of First Baptist Jackson on March 3, 2019. He and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 23 years and they have three children: Reid (20), Emory (18), and Graham (15). Chip is a graduate of Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and he has served at churches around Mississippi in his 22 years in ministry.
ORDAINED TO MINISTRY
- First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (1996)
EDUCATION
- High School Diploma, Cleburne County High School, Heflin, Alabama (1990)
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mississippi College (1994)
- Master of Arts in Christian Education, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1996)
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
- Part-time Youth Minister, First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs, Mississippi (1993-1996)
- Minister to Students, First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (1996-1999)
- Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (1999-2000)
- Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (2001-2006)
- Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Starkville, Mississippi (2006-2019)
DENOMINATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Board of Trustees, Mississippi College
- Preached Mississippi Baptist Convention Sermon (2013)
- Guest Preacher at Mississippi Baptist Student Minister’s Retreat (2018)
- Golden Triangle Baptist Association: served as Moderator for two years; served on the Administrative Team and the AMD Search Committee
- Mississippi Baptist Convention: served on the Time, Place, and Preacher Committee and Committee on Nominations
- Southern Baptist Convention: served on the Teller Committee and Committee of Nominations
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Chaplain, Chaplain’s Corps, Starkville Police Department
- Starkville Academy, Nominating Committee
- Coached local baseball and Upward basketball
HONORS
- Young Alumnus of the Year, Mississippi College (1996)
- Town & Gown Magazine, “Top 10 Most Influential Men of the Golden Triangle” (October 2013)
- Starkville Daily News, Second Runner-Up, “Man of the Year” (2018)
Chip Stevens is a caring shepherd…an outstanding preacher…a loving dad and husband…a faithful disciple of our Lord Jesus. First Baptist Church will be blessed!
Dr. Jim Futral
Executive Director-Treasurer
Mississippi Baptist Convention Board
Chip Stevens is a man of integrity. His quiet time with the Lord is very important to him. I have watched him and heard him in his prep time and in his daily seeking God’s leadership. He seeks God first. He is a man of vision and a natural leader who can motivate people. God has His hand on him. be blessed!
Dr. Frank Gunn, Pastor Emeritus
First Baptist Church Biloxi
I have served alongside Chip for nearly five years. He’s hard working, faithfully preaches the Gospel, and loves the church and our community. As a youth pastor it’s been a blast serving with him. Chip has high expectations for the ministry team, but trusts you to lead your ministry. The best way to determine how someone will lead the church is by observing how they live and lead their family. Chip and Sandra have excelled by guiding their three children to love Jesus. I hate to see Chip leave our FBC Starkville family, but I’m excited that First Baptist Jackson will have him as their pastor.
Neil Tullos, Youth Pastor
First Baptist Church Starkville
CHIP STEVENS
Senior Pastor
Chip (Walter N.) Stevens became the 23rd Senior Pastor of First Baptist Jackson on March 3, 2019. He and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 23 years and they have three children: Reid (20), Emory (18), and Graham (15). Chip is a graduate of Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and he has served at churches around Mississippi in his 22 years in ministry.
ORDAINED TO MINISTRY
- First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (1996)
EDUCATION
- High School Diploma, Cleburne County High School, Heflin, Alabama (1990)
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mississippi College (1994)
- Master of Arts in Christian Education, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1996)
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
- Part-time Youth Minister, First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs, Mississippi (1993-1996)
- Minister to Students, First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (1996-1999)
- Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (1999-2000)
- Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi (2001-2006)
- Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Starkville, Mississippi (2006-present)
DENOMINATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Board of Trustees, Mississippi College
- Preached Mississippi Baptist Convention Sermon (2013)
- Guest Preacher at Mississippi Baptist Student Minister’s Retreat (2018)
- Golden Triangle Baptist Association: served as Moderator for two years; served on the Administrative Team and the AMD Search Committee
- Mississippi Baptist Convention: served on the Time, Place, and Preacher Committee and Committee on Nominations
- Southern Baptist Convention: served on the Teller Committee and Committee of Nominations
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Chaplain, Chaplain’s Corps, Starkville Police Department
- Starkville Academy, Nominating Committee
- Coached local baseball and Upward basketball
HONORS
- Young Alumnus of the Year, Mississippi College (1996)
- Town & Gown Magazine, “Top 10 Most Influential Men of the Golden Triangle” (October 2013)
- Starkville Daily News, Second Runner-Up, “Man of the Year” (2018)