About Our Church

We are a family of faith seeking to love God and love others because He first loved us. We are closely connected to the Baldwin Baptist Association and the Alabama Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention. Why? Because we partner with these fellow Baptists to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth by sending missionaries through the entities of the SBC.

First Fairhope is located in beautiful downtown Fairhope, Alabama.

300 South Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532

Tel: 251.928.8685

What We Believe

First Fairhope holds to the beliefs outlined in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. It is available via the button for downloading and it’s content below. The constitution of First Fairhope is available on this button as well.

The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message

Our Constitution

PASTORS

Dr. Eric Hankins

Lead Pastor

Dr. Hankins started his ministry at First Baptist Fairhope December 1, 2016. He comes to First Baptist Fairhope from FBC Oxford Mississippi where he served as Pastor for 12 years. He is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Dr. Hankins has served churches in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and now Alabama. He is a graduate of Louisiana College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ( M.Div.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.). His ministry vision is to shepherd the local church in fulfilling her world-changing, disciple-making kingdom purpose through expository preaching, Spirit-directed leading and a shepherd’s care of individuals and families. He is married to his 7th grade sweetheart, Janet, and they have three children: J.D. (college senior, engaged to August), Emily (Sophomore at Mississippi College) and Jake who is in the 7th grade at Fairhope Middle School.

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Rev. Brent Shaw

Administrator

Rev. Brent Shaw began his ministry at First Baptist Church Fairhope, August 1, 2002. He served previously on the First Baptist Staff in the 80s as Minister of Youth. Brent served First Baptist Church in Dothan for 10 years prior to returning to Fairhope. Brent’s wife is Tammy and they have two girls: Lauren (Hardman) and Lindsey, and one grandchild: Ann Waverly.

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Rev. Shawn Trotter

Discipleship Pastor

Rev. Shawn Trotter began serving in 2018 as our Discipleship Pastor while he finished up seminary. In 2019 he became our full-time Discipleship Pastor, relieving Brent Shaw of those education responsibilities. . Shawn and his wife, Valerie, lve here in Fairhope and have four children.

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Rev. A.B. Sawyer

Associate Pastor

A.B. and his wife have recently returned to the Fairhope Area as our Associate Pastor/Senior Adult Minister. He served previously as our Minister of Education and another time as Minister of Youth. He’s served in Athen’s Georgia the past 15 years. Bubba handles the Senior Adult Ministry and other pastoral and support ministries.

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Rev. John Baldwin

Worship Pastor

Rev. John Baldwin has been serving as Minister of Music since 1988. He served previously in Florida and Alaska. John’s wife is Cyndee and they have three married girls: Ashleigh Barkley (Drew), Caroline Brown (Craig) and Janna Schmidt (Chase) and four grandchildren.

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Rev. R Smith

Student Pastor

Ryan has been working with students over the past ten years as a lay leader in churches from Georgia & Alabama. He joined the FBC Staff in 2008. He has also served as Student Worship Leader at Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in Georgia. Ryan has a passion for students and desires to lead them to a deeper knowledge of God by creating Bible Study opportunities coupled with recreational events and relevant worship experiences. Ryan also leads worship at our 11:00am service. His wife is

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Rev. Kevin Nelson

Children’s Pastor

Kevin takes care of our children’s ministry needs and the needs of young families at First Baptist. He and his wife Leigh are parents to Kevin Jr. (K2)

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Jennifer Warren

Preschool Director

Jennifer oversees our preschool ministry part time and works closely with our Minister to Children & Families, Kevin Nelson to offer quality events and care for parents and preschoolers.

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