STIMULATING
- EMPOWERING - GENUINE
A Motivational and Spiritual
Leader, A Family Man, A Philanthropist and Community Activist, and
A Business Man
»
OUR BISHOP AS A MOTIVATIONAL
AND SPIRITUAL LEADER
Was
destined to lead and was recognized for various achievements in his
childhood and educational years. In May 1998, under the spiritual
mentorship of Pastor Billy G. Russell, he was licensed to preach the
gospel. Just one month later, Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith, presented
Pastor Hedgemon with the Keys to City of Meridian and proclaimed June
17 as LaBaron Hedgemon Day. He was a Presidential scholar and the
recipient of the prestigious Meyer Davidson Leadership Award (1999).
In the spring of 2003, Pastor Hedgemon graduated from the Cooper's
School of Missions and Biblical Studies at William Carey College.
In the spring of 2015, Bishop Hedgemon graduated from Fort Hayes State
University with a Masters of Liberal Studies in Organizational Leadership.
In October 2015, St. Thomas Christian University awarded Pastor Hedgemon
an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. In further pursuit of expanding
his professional and academic development, in 2017 he began his doctoral
studies at Johnson University in the Ph.D. program in Global Leadership.
One of his many God-given gifts as an Evangelist is his ability to
flow in the prophetic, miracles, and the Word of Knowledge. In August
2007, he was called upon to pray by the Governor of Mississippi, Haley
Barbour, at the Republican Governor’s Conference in Jackson,
Mississippi. In February 2008, Minister LaBaron Hedgemon was ordained
as an Elder in the Lords Church by Pastor Craig E. Tucker. In March
of 2009, he was named Religious Unsung Hero by the Meridian Star for
his outstanding and unselfish community service. In March 2011 he
accepted the call to fulfill his destiny and accepted the office of
Pastor at Freedom Rock Christian Fellowship Church. Immediately, “The
Rock” had a new heart and it was beating resoundingly!
Over the next two years, Freedom Rock experienced record exponential
growth and by the end of 2013 the church had over 500 active members,
Freedom Rock has become one of the fastest growing churches in Lauderdale
County. The growth continued so prominently that in January 2015 Freedom
Rock began offering three services each Sunday to accommodate its
growth and began plans to build a larger sanctuary to accommodate
the 21st century needs of spiritual community. In 2018, Freedom Rock
began holding its first services in their new $2.4 million edifice.
The new facility could accommodate up to 650 members and featured
a state-of-the-art sound, video, and lighting system with theatre-style
seating.
In June 2014, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. pronounced the “Ancestry
Blessing” upon his son Pastor Hedgemon through the laying on
of hands. In 2019, just five years later, he established KIINGS, Kingdom
Individuals and Institutions Networking Godly Success, a collaborative,
cutting edge, progressive, “in-time” organization for
senior pastors whose purpose is to nurture, equip, and enhance the
vision and team of its members by coupling spiritual wisdom with corporate
expertise. Later that same year, he was recommended to the bishopric
by Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr and Bishop Sidney P. Malone. The International
Bishops’ Conference (+I+B+C+, Inc.) interviewed and agreed that
Dr. Hedgemon would be consecrated as Bishop in the Lord’s Church
in the Summer of 2020 under the Episcopal authority of the Presiding
Prelate Archbishop Allen T. Wiggins.
Since becoming the shepherd of Freedom Rock, Bishop Hedgemon, has
spoken at numerous conferences and revivals across the United States
and abroad, he has spoken in Huntsville, AL; Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Bloomfield, Connecticut; Internationally, Pastor Hedgemon has spoken
throughout the several provinces of the Johannesburg South Africa.
Even though his stay was brief, he even found time to minister via
documentary to his Freedom Rock Family from the busy streets of Paris,
France.
»
OUR
BISHOP AS A FAMILY MAN
Is
the husband of First Lady Shaunta Michelle Hedgemon, and the father
of Miss Alaysia Tionna, Miss Alasyn BaLeigh, and Mr. LaBaron II.
»
OUR
BISHOP AS A PHILANTHROPIST AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
Has served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Habitat
for Humanity in Lauderdale County, board member for Big Brothers &
Big Sisters of Mississippi, Love’s Kitchen, Boys & Girls
Club, Dropout Prevention for Meridian Public School District; Chaplain
for Meridian High Wildcat Football Team and Education Committee for
the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation. He is a 2005
graduate of Leadership Lauderdale, and was selected by Cambridge to
the 2007-2008 Who's Who amongst Professionals and Executives. He is
also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. where he serves
as Director of Reclamation. In January 2007, in obedience to the Father,
LaBaron Hedgemon Ministries, Inc. was founded and incorporated as
a non-profit ministry. Through LHM, Inc. he facilitates empowerment
seminars in finance, business, and leadership throughout the Meridian
and Lauderdale County communities as well as conducting an annual
Back to School supplies and uniform drive for the less fortunate,
this year having served the needs of over 100 well-deserving kids.
In 2012, Pastor Hedgemon began laying the groundwork for the Camp
Destiny Afterschool and Summer Enrichment Program. When the program
opened in June 2013, it quickly became one of the largest programs
of its kind in the area, serving nearly 70 children within the Lauderdale
County. Encouraged by its impact on the community, Camp Destiny was
awarded a $1.8 million grant that funded its cultural, social, and
academic programs over the next five years and allowed it to now be
able to serve as many as 120 children in 2014. In October 2013 Pastor
Hedgemon envisioned the need for educational impact that precedes
grade school. In January 2015, that vision became a reality with the
grand opening of New Destiny Daycare &Learning Academy. A state
of the art 60 member facility featuring computer centers, a movie
theatre, and Abeka curriculum.
»
OUR
BISHOP AS A BUSINESSMAN
Bishop LaBaron Hedgemon began working in corporate America at age
sixteen for BankPlus. In 2005, he was promoted to Bank Officer of
Citizens National Bank and served as a Consumer Lender and Credit
Analyst. As a Consumer Loan Underwriter he was recognized for several
professional accolades including holder of a consumer loan portfolio
of nearly $38 million and recognized for his efficiency in the financial
sect by receiving the Star Performer Award in 2007 and 2008. His greatest
achievement to date in the financial and commerce industry was serving
as lead financial officer of a $1.9 million state of the art commercial
loan for a local church assembly. In 2009, he founded Hedgemon Insurance
where he operates as an independent insurance agent in Alabama and
Mississippi. That same year, he also founded 24/7 Developments, LLC,
(representing the birthday of he and 1st Lady Hedgemon) a for-profit
real estate business in which he serve as President. Lastly in December
2011, Pastor Hedgemon founded New Destiny Urban Community Development
Corporation, the non-profit subsidiary for Freedom Rock community
and properties. In 2012, after committing full-time to his pastoral
assignment at Freedom Rock and resigning from the banking and finance
industry, he founded the Hedgemon Group, a dynamic leadership and
business consultancy firm that focuses on financial management, strategic
management, and entrepreneurial empowerment.
|
