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Steve Hogg is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Rock Hill, South Carolina. His story began as a young boy. Steve grew up in rural Kentucky, and his parents were not believers. However, Steve’s aunt and uncle were strong Christians and visited a few times each year. Steve noticed that his uncle prioritized attending a church service and praying before each meal. While this was all very new and even a bit confusing for Steve, his curiosity about Jesus grew.
In middle school, while home alone, Steve prayed to accept Christ. Through the few seeds planted throughout his childhood, he knew that he wanted to experience a faith of his own. Steve shares that he did notice a change in his life upon receiving the gift of salvation, but there was still no way to get to church and experience discipleship.
It was not until Steve was a sophomore in high school that going to a church finally became an option. While in class one day, Steve’s classmate invited him to a revival night happening at her church. There was even a bus ministry that would pick students up and drop them off. Steve agreed to go, but when he arrived at the church, he began to feel nervous about staying. As he was about to leave, Evelyn walked in, grabbed his hand, and took him to the front row of the sanctuary. Steve has stayed in church every day since.
As Steve heard God’s Word preached that evening, the blinders came off. “Everything began to make sense for the first time”, said Steve. Shortly after that evening, Steve began serving at the church and became involved with their bus ministry. Within a year, he was preaching. His very first sermon was at the request of a small group leader. Steve had become a bold evangelist and was passionate about sharing the Gospel, so this opportunity made him very excited.
Many students accepted Christ following his first ever message. As a junior in high school, Steve knew that he would be preaching for the rest of his life. When Steve began college, he led Bible studies and continued to serve at his home church in Kentucky. He eventually became a part-time staff member at one of the church’s satellite locations. Under Steve’s leadership, the team executed Kentucky’s largest Vacation Bible School for several years in a row. After serving for a while, Steve was offered a position as senior pastor at the church campus he had been helping. He did this for roughly six years, all while commuting to seminary throughout the week.
Steve’s call to ministry took root at a young age. “It’s about passion and a sense of call. If you have that passion, you will always find a way to serve”, said Steve. While it was not always easy in those early years, God was faithful to use each and every experience to prepare Steve for the work he does today.
Today, at First Baptist Rock Hill, where Steve has been for thirty-seven years, he is most encouraged by the true discipleship that is taking place within his church family. Just recently, one of his eighty year old deacons stood up during a meeting to share that for the first time in his life, he is truly understanding God’s Word. This is happening for him because of the discipleship groups that are in place. Steve believes that in addition to D-groups, his church has seen a wonderful shift towards depth through hosting the annual SES Apologetics Conference.
Steve shares that he observed a growing concern and desire for apologetics over the past decade. Through various connections, First Baptist Rock Hill was asked to become the host location for the conference. “God gave me what I was needing without knowing the depth of what he was giving me”, said Steve. This year will mark the third year hosting, and Steve has seen his church family grow in excitement about studying apologetics. This has led to deeper unity and passion for congregants.
SES is grateful to the commitment of First Baptist Rock Hill and their ongoing hospitality. The Lord has positioned countless leaders to provide instrumental input and execution, including Pastor Steve Hogg.
