Hello, my name is LaMar Herndon, and I am an ordained SBC Minister who has pastored smaller churches (less than 200 in worship) in several states. But first things first. I was fortunate to be raised in a Christian home and be taken to church within a couple of weeks of being born. By the time I was around six years of age I understood very plainly what sin was and that I was a sinner in God’s eyes because His word tells us “That all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Rom. 3:23.” I also believed that in order for me to spend an eternity with Him in heaven one day I needed to ask forgiveness of my sins and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be my Savior. On a Sunday morning seated by my grandmother Wilson in First Missionary Baptist Church as a six-year boy and as the pastor preached, I bowed my head and asked Jesus to forgive of my sins and to come into my heart and be my Savior. I put my trust in Him for my eternal salvation and to one day go to heaven when I die. In Baptist churches after the pastor has finished preaching the congregation sings a hymn, song, of invitation inviting anyone who needed to make a decision for Christ to walk down the center aisle and tell the pastor what they were coming forward for. So, when the invitation was given, I got up off the pew on my own and walked down to the pastor and told Him that I had just prayed to receive Christ as my Savior. A couple of weeks later I was baptized by immersion in Black Water Creek off Hwy 39 between Zephyrhills and Plant City, FL. I have been a Christ follower ever since and I have in church all of my life and served in many different leadership capacities.
I hold a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree, with a concentration in Strategic Leadership, from Regent University, School of Business & Leadership. On the professional side, my doctoral program emphasized developing organizational leadership and consulting with faith-based and marketplace organizations using strategic analysis, planning, and future tools from a Christian leadership dynamic. I encourage you to take a couple of minutes here to watch the following YouTube video on Regent University and our Strategic Leadership program.
Proof of legitimate graduation from Regent University.
Hugh LaMar Herndon and fellow Doctor of Strategic Leadership Colleague Phyllis Rodges at Regent University May 2014 Graduation.
Regent University Commissioning Service with Dr. Gomez prepares to anoint me with oil with Dr. Patterson, who just placed my stole on my gown looking on. A very meaningful service.
I also hold a Master of Arts in Leadership degree from Mid-America Christian University (MACU) and have completed additional graduate work at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Winebrenner Theological Seminary. In March 2014 I was awarded my Consultant Training Level 1 certificate from the Society for Church Consulting, as I am working towards a Level 5 consulting certification in the Strategic Planning Consulting track with Dr. Aubrey Malphurs. In October 2020, I assumed the pastorate at Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church in Brooksville, Fl.
I have been happily married to my BFF and wife June M. Herndon for 44 years and we live in Spring Hill, FL. We are the proud parents of two sons. Our oldest son Hugh is an English teacher at Sparkman HS, in Huntsville, AL where he lives with his two daughters. Our youngest son Jason who was Vice-President of Engineering/Products for RAIN and tragically passed in 2020 when living in the greater SLC area of Utah, is survived by his wife Joanna and our four grandchildren who are now living in the Fort Collins, CO area.
June and I have enjoyed distance running in years past here in Florida, mainly 5-15K races around the central Florida area, and I have finished one marathon and one-half marathon. We enjoy watching college and professional football and going to the mountains and the beach. Some of our favorite shows to watch are Shark Tank, and HGTV shows like Barnwood Builders and Hallmark movies. We also enjoy antiquing, staying at B&Bs, and traveling back roads, and eating at the occasional hole-in-the-wall restaurant.