New Minister Seeing Growth At Altoona Baptist

    Two months into his time as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Altoona, Robert ‘Bert’ Hickman is enjoying getting to know the community and his congregation. A Georgia native, Hickman brings 11 years of pastoral experience to a congregation that has deep roots in the community and which is looking to embark on a new era of service.
    “I came to a church that was holding its own, and now we’re seeing growth,” Hickman said this week from his office at the historic church campus. He has found the church family to be a welcoming group that has embraced his leadership.
    Hickman and his wife Donna have nine children, three of which are still at home.
    “Friendly and loving is how I would describe them. They’ve all been very supportive.”
    Of particular note is the rebooted youth programs, that went from dormant to hosting sizable groups each Wednesday evening.
    “It had shut down during Covid and never restarted. They had nothing for the children.”
    Young people are a priority for the father of nine, and he was excited to get a youth/children program restarted upon his arrival.
    “We put up signs that it was restarting, and they started coming.” The group gathers each Wednesday evening, along with the regular adult programs.
    Hickman’s journey to the Altoona pulpit included stops in churches both in Florida and Georgia, and he brings a Bible-based message that is unapologetically based on scripture.
    "Sometimes you preach the Gospel, and some churches don't want to hear it." He is happy Altoona is a church that embraces the Bible's teaching, and is looking to expand the congregation's reach.
    “I’m about to start an evangelism class,” that will meet before the regular Wednesday evening programs. “We want to stay busy,” he says of the church’s increased activity list.
    Hickman’s focus is on bringing more people to God, including those who believe they are good Christians but may not be living a faith-based life.
    “Is there evidence of salvation in your life?” Hickman says he was raised in the church but describes himself as a ‘fake Christian’ until the age of 35. “I claimed salvation, but I was a fake Christian.” When he gave his life over to Christ, it opened a new chapter for him, one that has led to a dedication to spreading the Gospel.
    Several verses, including James 1:22, and John 14:15 give examples of Hickman’s desire to help people walk more closely with God, and to live their faith in a more purposeful way.
    The church meets on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. for Sunday School, and at 10:55 a.m. for worship. Sunday evening services begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday activities begin at 6 p.m. The church is located at 42226 SR 19 in Altoona.