Our Pastors
Scott Hawes Wes Friday
Scott Hawes is the pastor at South Side Baptist Church and also the head wrestling coach at Hannibal-LaGrange University. He wears many hats. Some people affectionately call him Coach or Pastor. The title doesn't matter much, because he is all about serving the Lord.
Pastor Scott was born and raised in Saginaw, MI, and graduated from Maranatha Baptist University in May of 1997. In December of 1997, he was licensed for the Ministry of the Gospel by First Baptist Church of Rochelle, IL, where he served as an assistant pastor for seven years. He also coached wrestling and soccer at Rochelle Township High School and at the middle school. In October of 2004, Coach Hawes was recruited by his Alma Mater to be the Director of Student Ministries and also the head wrestling coach. In March of 2008, Hannibal-LaGrange University contacted him and asked him to prayerfully consider becoming the head coach of the university's brand new wrestling program. He accepted the position and moved to Hannibal with his wife, Jenny, and their two sons, Austin and Chase. While in Hannibal the Hawes' had a daughter named Reagan. Dr. Woodie Burt and Dr. Tom Hufty encouraged him to use his education and ministry experience to help churches who were in need of pulpit supply and pastoral assistance. Right away he started providing pulpit supply for several churches in Illinois and Missouri. He completed the Missouri Baptist Convention's Transitional Pastor Training. In the spring of 2009, he was called by First Baptist Church of LaGrange, MO, to be their transitional pastor where he served for ten months. After FBC LaGrange called a pastor, he was then called by Durham Baptist Church in Durham, MO, to be come their transitional pastor. After a year and seven months of service, he then happily handed the church over to their new pastor. Shortly after ministry at Durham Baptist, he was contacted by the chairmen of the deacons of South Side Baptist Church of Hannibal, MO. After serving two different congregations for close to three years, he believed God was leading him to serve in a church in Hannibal where he could be involved in the ministry throughout the week. In October of 2011, he became the Pastor of South Side Baptist Church. In July of 2013, Pastor Scott Hawes was ordained by unanimous consent by South Side Baptist Church. Pastor Scott strives to lead the people as an example of the believer in loving God and in loving his neighbors. In August of 2017, Pastor Scott completed his Master of Arts in Organization Leadership in Christian Ministry at Hannibal-LaGrange University. |
Wes Friday was called to serve South Side Baptist Church as youth pastor on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Wes is originally from Quincy, IL and his wife, Courtney, is originally from LaGrange, MO. The Friday’s have two children, Wesley and Miriam, and one, Esther, on the way. Wes and Courtney are happy to make Hannibal their home. Wes is currently enrolled in Liberty University’s Willmington School of the Bible to help better prepare him for the challenges he will face in ministry. Wes and Courtney are passionate about investing their lives in ministry and looking forward to how God will use them at South Side Baptist Church. |