Easthaven Baptist Church has called a new pastor in Dr. Hal Kitchings. He shared his testimony and background with the church Wednesday night, but Sunday morning, Kitchings will step into the church’s pulpit for his first official service as pastor.

A Mississippi native, Kitchings grew up a preacher’s kid, third child and only son of the late Dr. Harold and Ann Kitchings. He and Kelli, his wife of nearly four decades, have two adult children, both of whom are married and also involved in Christian ministry. They also welcomed their first grandchild one week ago, a little girl.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College, two master’s degrees — one from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and one from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary — and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Since 1988, he has served as pastor of several churches, including Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton, Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas, and — most recently — Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“To me, a call from God is an assignment,” Kitchings said. “We sensed God was releasing us from where we were, to come to my native state of Mississippi.”

The pastor said he was not looking for a job, but was open to it. He believed the Lord may have a new assignment for him, and he was hopeful that it might be home, after being away from the state for about 20 years.

Members of Easthaven’s pastor search committee had asked some pastors they knew for any recommendations they might have. One mentioned Kitchings, and that’s how it all started, he said.

“It happened pretty quick. It was a fit,” Kitchings said. “It was kind of like … dating. We had the phone conversation, then zoom call, all these ‘dates’ to get to know one another. Every time, it felt like I fit. It really seemed like a great fit. I think with what they were looking for, how I’m wired, this season of my life, and my experiences, it just … fit.”

The pastor said Brookhaven reminds him of Kosciusko, where he grew up. It’s similar culturally and not unfamiliar in its people.

“The people really have been kind and gracious to us,” he said. “I get that I’m still very new, but I feel at ease already.”

As a preacher’s kid, Kitchings said he had a great experience growing up in that community. People were encouraging for the most part, though the children of pastors are often called upon more than normal to pray, answer questions or speak in public. That wasn’t him back then, he said. It didn’t feel comfortable, but he’s glad in retrospect.

Now that he’s here in Lincoln County, he is ready for this new season in life and ministry.

“I’d like to see God do a fresh work in my own life as well as in the church, and for it to have a kingdom impact right her in Brookhaven and beyond,” he said. “I know that’s really just Acts 1:8.”

The verse recounts Jesus telling his followers that they will receive the Holy Spirit’s power, and “be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“I firmly believe when God calls a man to ministry, he calls him to the church and the community,” said Kitchings. “I want us to love on our community.”