Set on Dixie Church Road on the western edge of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Dixie Baptist Church has long been a fixture for families in Forrest County. The congregation worships in the tradition of the Southern Baptist Convention and holds tightly to the conviction that preaching the Bible, praying together, and singing sound doctrine should anchor everything the church does. Its motto - disciples making disciples - is more than a slogan; it shapes the way the church organizes its Sunday gatherings, its midweek studies, and its ministries from the nursery through the college years.
Sunday Mornings on Dixie Church Road
The Sunday rhythm begins at 8:45 a.m. with a corporate prayer gathering in Room A1. Anyone who wants to start the day in intercession for the church, the community, and one another is welcome to join. At 9:30 a.m. the Sunday School hour opens up across the campus, and at 10:45 a.m. the church family gathers for morning worship.
Worship at Dixie Baptist is described by the church itself as a blend of theologically rich older hymns and newer songs. The singing is meant to encourage the congregation and to prepare hearts for the preaching of the Bible. The church is plain about what it believes is at the center of a service: the exposition of God's authoritative Word. Visitors are invited to come worship with the church family and hear a message from Scripture.
Sermons from the church can be found on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Facebook, and iHeart Radio. Sermon archives going back to 2020 are also available, making it easy for members who travel or who want to revisit a past series.
What Dixie Baptist Believes
The church's doctrinal statement aligns with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 of the Southern Baptist Convention, with Article VII amended in June 2023 by action of the SBC. Eighteen articles set out what the church teaches, beginning with the doctrine that the Holy Bible, written by men divinely inspired, is God's revelation of Himself to man - true, trustworthy, and the supreme standard for Christian faith and conduct.
The church confesses one true and living God, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, who reveals Himself eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is confessed as the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, crucified and raised, now exalted at the right hand of God as the one Mediator between God and man. The Holy Spirit is honored as fully divine, the one who inspired Scripture, illumines truth, convicts of sin, regenerates the believer, and seals believers unto final redemption.
Salvation is taught as the work of God's grace received through personal faith in Jesus Christ, encompassing regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. The church teaches believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as the two ordinances of the church, with baptism prerequisite to membership and to partaking of the Supper. The first day of the week is set aside as the Lord's Day, marked by worship and spiritual devotion.
Dixie Baptist also confesses the historic Baptist convictions on the autonomy of the local congregation, the two scriptural offices of pastor and deacon, religious liberty, the separation of church and state, and the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Marriage is defined as the covenant union of one man and one woman for a lifetime, and children are described as a blessing and heritage from the Lord.
Wednesday Nights: Children, Youth, and Adults Together
Wednesday evenings bring a different kind of gathering. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., children and youth gather for their own programs, with Awana running for ages two through sixth grade from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Awana kickoff each August is one of the most anticipated events of the year for families, and an end-of-year recognition program in May closes out the club season.
At 6:30 p.m., adults gather for Bible study and prayer. College students meet separately at 8:00 p.m. in the student room for a home-cooked meal, worship, small group Bible study, and a closing time of prayer and encouragement. The current study is going through the book of Hebrews. During the summer and on some holiday weeks the Wednesday schedule is consolidated, with youth, college students, and adults meeting together in the Fellowship Hall for combined services.
The Nursery: From Birth Through Age Three
Dixie Baptist provides a Baby Nursery for infants from birth to one year and a Toddler Nursery for children ages one through three. The nursery workers are trained in the care of infants and children and hold CPR certification. A typical Sunday in the nursery includes Bible stories, Bible songs, drawing and art, outdoor play when weather permits, prayer time, and snacks.
Security is taken seriously. Each child and parent receive matching labels and stickers on the first visit. Parents use a Dutch door rather than entering the nursery, and they are asked to keep their child home if the child has had a fever greater than 100.4, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent coughing, or other signs of infection in the previous 24 hours. Children's Director Karen Vines oversees the nursery ministry and is the contact for more information.
Children's Ministry: Sunday School, Children's Church, and Awana
The Children's Ministry grounds itself in the words of Jesus: "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." The purpose of the ministry is to share the good news about Jesus, teach the Bible, and disciple children so that they grow up to be lifelong followers of Christ.
Weekly activities include Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 a.m. and Children's Church during the 10:45 a.m. worship service for children ages three through kindergarten, which begins after the offering. On Wednesday nights during the school year, Awana clubs meet for ages two through sixth grade. The summer brings Vacation Bible School, with the most recent theme being "Illumination Station," and a children's M4 Camp.
Youth Ministry: Disciples Who Make Disciples
The youth ministry at Dixie Baptist is built on the same conviction that anchors the rest of the church: disciples making disciples. Students spend their time building relationships, digging into God's Word, and learning to apply the truths of Scripture to daily life.
The weekly cycle includes Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. with activities, worship, Bible study, and discussion led by staff and volunteers. Sunday School gives students another weekly touchpoint for Bible study and fellowship. On Sunday nights, the youth gather for Disciple6, a small-group study that covers theology, ethics, missions, and engaging culture with the truths of God's Word. The summer brings a youth camp and mission trip to MissionLab, and in some years an out-of-state mission trip (most recently to Idaho).
College Ministry: Being Discipled and Discipling Others
College students are treated as an integral part of the church body at Dixie Baptist, both being discipled and discipling others. They are encouraged not only to attend but to plug into the larger congregation.
The primary weekly gatherings are Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. (the college class meets in Room A1, the choir and music room) and the Wednesday night college study at 8:00 p.m. in the student room. The Wednesday study is built around a home-cooked meal, worship, small group Bible study, and a closing time of encouragement and prayer. Service opportunities are woven in as well: college students lead worship and small groups for the youth ministry, help lead discipleship groups, serve in children's ministry, visit elderly church members, and participate in the music ministry.
Sunday School for Every Age and Stage
Sunday School at Dixie Baptist runs at 9:30 a.m. and is one of the most visible entry points for visitors. The church offers classes for preschoolers, children, youth, college students, and adults, with a mix of co-ed, men's, women's, and intergenerational options. The full slate includes:
- Preschool and Children's Classes
- Co-ed Class I, meeting in the youth room and led by Pastor Jeremy
- Co-ed Class II, meeting in Room B4
- College Class, meeting in Room A1 (the choir and music room)
- In Depth Ladies Class III, meeting in Room A9 and currently studying the book of Romans
- TEL Ladies Class, meeting in Room 4
- Ladies Class II, meeting in Room B2
- Youth Class, meeting in Room A10
- Men's Class I, meeting in Room B1
- Men's Class II, meeting in Room B5
Classes are described as places where members engage God's Word in a smaller group setting, pray for one another, and get to know each other better on a personal level. Visitors are welcome to drop in.
Women, Men, and Senior Adults
Beyond Sunday School, the church runs a number of ongoing groups for adults. Women on Mission meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and gives women a chance to engage missions together. The Women's Ministry hosts events such as a spring High Tea that draws women from college age through the golden years.
Two senior adult groups give older members regular touchpoints throughout the month. The Encouragers meet on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m., typically in the Fellowship Hall, and share potluck meals together. The Sonshiners also meet on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and provide another fellowship rhythm for senior adults. A monthly Senior Adult Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., and an adult book study has recently been working through Sam Storms' A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin (And Three Things He'll Never Do).
The church also participates in the wider life of the Pine Belt Association of Southern Baptists, and members have joined a regional Marriage Conference with Dr. Tate and Wendy Cockrell held at Main Street Baptist Church.
The Ministry Team
Dixie Baptist's pastoral team is led by Jeremy Hatfield, who serves as Lead Pastor. Jeremy and his wife Amanda met at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, where Jeremy earned a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Applied Apologetics. After more than twelve years of pastoral ministry in southern Arizona, the Hatfields moved to southern Mississippi to serve Dixie Baptist. They have four children: Micah, Caleb, Silas, and Rachel.
Brad Gaunt serves as Associate Pastor of Students and Families. Brad and his wife Cari both graduated from Mississippi State University before attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After serving overseas in holistic gospel ministry, they returned to the states to minister at Dixie Baptist.
Daniel Sanford is the Worship Leader. A William Carey University graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Church Music, Daniel is pursuing an MDiv in Christian Education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Elizabeth have two daughters.
Karen Vines directs the Children's Ministry and the nursery. Josh Wingfield serves as Pastoral Intern.
Mission, Outreach, and the Year at a Glance
Mission is built into the calendar at Dixie Baptist. The church sends teams on summer mission trips - most recently to Idaho - and the youth group travels to MissionLab for a combined summer camp and mission experience. Local outreach includes a Prayer Walk for the nearby Dixie Attendance Center and a Prayer Walk ahead of VBS week. The church also partners with Homes of Hope, supporting events such as An Evening of Hope at the Lake Terrace Convention Center.
The annual rhythm includes Awana kickoff in August, the fall launch of Sunday school and midweek studies, a Christmas season marked by special services, the Awana Recognition Program in May, Baccalaureate Sunday for graduating high school seniors, Vacation Bible School in early June, M4 Camp for children, youth summer camp, and senior adult fellowships year-round. Weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, and book studies fill in the weeks between.
Steps for Guests
Visitors at Dixie Baptist are treated to a clear four-step pathway. A greeter stands at every door to point newcomers toward the Fellowship Hall, Nursery, Sunday School classroom, or Sanctuary. Inside the Fellowship Hall, a host or hostess helps families find the right Sunday School class for each member of the family. From there, visitors are introduced to their Sunday School teacher, with classes available for all ages. Finally, the church is glad to help locate the sanctuary, nursery, or restrooms and to answer any questions about life at Dixie Baptist. Guests can also fill out a connection card to be reached out to and welcomed personally.
The church office can be reached at (601) 583-9392, and the church is located at 111 Dixie Church Road in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.