Pickens First Baptist Church stands on East Main Street in downtown Pickens, South Carolina, in the heart of Pickens County. The congregation describes itself as a loving, Gospel-centered fellowship of believers committed to teaching and living the biblical truths of the Christian faith. Whether someone is walking in for the first time or has attended for decades, the church points to the same goal: helping people of all ages experience the joy of salvation and grow in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday Mornings on East Main
Worship at PFBC happens twice each Sunday, at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. The two services give families room to choose the hour that fits their week, and the schedule is built so that Sunday Morning Life Groups (the church's Sunday School hour) connect naturally with the later service. Visitors can expect to be greeted by people with smiling faces who are more than willing to help find a Life Group or a seat in the sanctuary.
Dress on Sunday mornings is typically "business casual," but jeans and sneakers are common and welcome. The church encourages people to come in whatever they feel comfortable wearing so they can worship without distraction. The worship music is a blend of contemporary praise songs and classic hymns, and the preaching of God's Word is the centerpiece of each service. The adult choir and orchestra typically lead the 10:30 AM worship hour, and on some special Sundays both groups lead in both services.
A Confession of Faith Rooted in Scripture
PFBC holds an eighteen-article confession of faith that walks through Scripture, God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), man, salvation, God's purpose of grace, the church, baptism and the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Day, the Kingdom, last things, evangelism and missions, education, stewardship, cooperation, the Christian and the social order, peace and war, religious liberty, and the family.
The Bible is described as God-breathed revelation, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard for Christian conduct and belief. There is one living and true God, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is confessed as the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man, who honored the divine law by His personal obedience, died on the cross for the redemption of mankind, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return personally and visibly in glory. The Holy Spirit is honored as fully divine, the one who inspired Scripture, convicts of sin, regenerates believers, baptizes them into the body of Christ, and seals them unto final redemption.
The church is described as a local, self-governing body of baptized believers, with pastors and deacons as its scriptural officers, observing baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as the two ordinances of Christ. Marriage is defined as the lifelong covenant union of one man and one woman, and the family is set forth as the foundational institution of human society. The statement also affirms the biblical basis of religious liberty, the separation of church and state, and the obligation of every Christian to make disciples of all nations.
Becoming a Member
Anyone considering membership at Pickens FBC is invited to contact Senior Pastor Daniel Heeringa to learn more. The church's membership process begins with a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and believer's baptism by immersion. Candidates meet with the pastor to discuss their relationship to Christ, baptism, and acceptance of the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant, all of which are covered in the church's Discovery Class. After that meeting, individuals may present themselves as candidates for membership during any regular worship service by one of four ways: public profession of faith followed by baptism, transfer letter from another Baptist church of like faith and practice, a statement of prior conversion and believer's baptism, or immersion in a church of like faith and practice.
The Xchange: Student Ministry at 114 South Lewis
PFBC's youth ministry is called The Xchange Student Ministry, and its mission is to partner with parents in raising teens to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to see students come to Jesus, serve in the church, and enter adulthood equipped to be Christian leaders. The Xchange is housed in the PFBC Youth Center at 114 South Lewis Street, Pickens, SC. The building is equipped with gaming consoles, a full kitchen, classrooms for small group Bible studies, a large meeting room for worship and teaching, a movie room, and a game room, making it a hub for fellowship as well as discipleship.
Student Life Groups meet at 9:00 AM at The Xchange, with a large-group time for prayer and announcements followed by middle school and high school co-ed small groups. The curriculum is The Gospel Project, a Christ-centered, chronological Bible study that walks students through the storyline of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation over a three-year arc.
Sunday nights at The Xchange run from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and center on short-term small groups working through carefully selected topical series that meet students where they are, whether just beginning their walk with Jesus or going deeper. A typical evening includes a brief time of announcements, then small group Bible-based discussion, followed by food and fellowship after 7:00 PM (think popcorn, pizza rolls, tacos, and spaghetti). Wednesdays start with pizza at 6:00 PM and then move through announcements, games, and in-depth, exegetical teaching that walks through one book of the Bible at a time.
Preschool and Kids Ministry
Children from birth through fifth grade are served in two coordinated ministries. The Preschool Ministry cares for children from birth through kindergarten in a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights during Awana, and Wednesday nights. Parents check their children in at a secure check-in station and receive a unique badge that must be presented at pickup; every volunteer undergoes a thorough background check and vetting process before serving. Children are grouped by age and ability, and the ministry's priorities are to teach young hearts about the love of Jesus, ensure every child's safety and well-being, and meet each child's basic needs so they feel loved and valued.
The Kids Ministry serves first through fifth graders with a similar commitment to safety and biblical discipleship. On Sunday mornings, kids check in at the Kids Area below the sanctuary for 9:00 AM Life Groups and 10:30 AM Kid Worship, an interactive worship experience designed for their age group. Sunday nights include Awana and Kids Choir, with check-in at the main entrance of the Fellowship Hall. Wednesday nights include Midweek Discipleship and Worship, with Bible-based lessons, worship, and activities. The Kids Choir develops a love for worship through music, and children sing at Christmas and Easter through AWANA.
Music Ministry
Music is central to life at the church. The PFBC Adult Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and welcomes anyone who would like to sing. The choir typically leads worship in the 10:30 AM service, and on special Sundays both the choir and orchestra lead in both services. The PFBC Orchestra rehearses at 6:15 PM on Wednesdays in the sanctuary and requires some proficiency with the player's instrument. Children's choirs sing in the fall and the spring mainly through the AWANA ministry, with special presentations at Christmas and Easter. Small Group Ensembles of youth and adults also help lead worship services each week. The music ministry's goal is to glorify God through praise, confession, thanksgiving, adoration, and humbly coming into His presence for His guidance, correction, and love.
Adult Discipleship and Life Groups
Sunday Morning Life Groups meet across the church at 9:00 AM, with classes for every age and stage. Adult Discipleship Groups meet throughout the week for ongoing Bible study and spiritual growth. A Women's Bible Recap Reading Plan is also offered to help women walk through the Bible together. The church's daily Bible reading plan covers the entire Bible in a year and is published in monthly installments.
Missions: Local, National, and International
PFBC's missions objective is rooted in the Great Commission: to "go" and make disciples of Jesus Christ through local, national, and international efforts. The church partners with a wide range of ministries across Pickens County and beyond, working both independently and through cooperative partnerships. On the national and international level, PFBC currently partners with the International Mission Board's Bible Training Center for Pastors work in Peru, Carpenters for Christ, Dakota Sonshine, and Samaritan's Purse.
The church has a specific partnership in Arahuay, Peru, working alongside the International Mission Board and Belen Baptist Church from Collique, Peru (just outside Lima) to plant a church in the Canta mountain region. Currently there is no evangelical church in the town or surrounding area, and the partnership is committed to building relationships and bringing the gospel to the people of Arahuay. Anyone interested in getting involved in missions is invited to contact the Missions Pastor, Jeff Rafferty.
Meet the Staff
Dr. Daniel Heeringa serves as Senior Pastor. A native of Anchorage, Alaska and a military family background, Daniel received the Lord as his Savior and was baptized at an early age. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Gardner-Webb University, a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary. He first sensed God's call to preach at his home church of Bethel Baptist in Greenville at the age of 18 and has previously served as a youth minister in Mississippi and South Carolina. Daniel has served on local school, charity, and state executive boards, as well as Southern Baptist seminary, state, and national committees. He has also served in volunteer chaplaincy with prison ministries, the sheriff's office, disaster relief efforts, and high school and college football. He enjoys hiking the Appalachian Trail, football, a good cup of coffee, and a good book.
Bryan Hester serves as Minister of Music, having been at the church for over twenty years. He is married to Angie and they have three sons. Bryan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Church Music from Southern Wesleyan University and his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Seminary in 1996.
Jeff Rafferty joined the staff in 2012 as Discipleship and Missions Pastor. He is married to Michelle, and they have three daughters. Jeff graduated from Murray State University with a B.A. in Business Administration and holds a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A native of Kentucky and a UK Wildcats fan, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.
Colton Ashley serves as Youth Pastor, overseeing The Xchange Student Ministry. A lifelong member of the Pickens community, he holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Social Studies Education and a Master's in Education Administration and Supervision, both from Anderson University.
Emily Simmons serves as Children's Ministry Director. Raised in Pickens First Baptist Church, she has faithfully served alongside her husband Jeremy in various capacities at PFBC. She is also an experienced elementary school teacher.
Jennifer Hendrix serves as Preschool Ministry Director and has been on staff at PFBC since August 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Anderson College and a Masters of Education from Southern Wesleyan University. She also teaches math at Pickens Middle School.
Sermons, Podcasts, and Giving
Worship services are livestreamed on YouTube, and sermons are available through a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. The church's daily Bible reading plan is available online and walks readers through the Bible over the course of a year. A monthly newsletter is also produced for the congregation. Giving is available through MyPFBC, the church's online giving platform, where members can schedule recurring gifts, make one-time gifts, or view their giving history. Offerings given on Sundays are reflected in MyPFBC as well.
Pickens First Baptist Church continues to be a steady presence on East Main Street in Pickens, gathering each Sunday around Word and sacrament, equipping every generation of believers, and sending its people out to share the gospel in Pickens County and to the ends of the earth.