Gilead Baptist welcomes new pastor

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The Rev. Sam Hinkson

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The Rev. Sam Hinkson will begin as pastor of Gilead Baptist Church this Sunday. Hinkson grew up in Little Rock, Ark., with his parents and two younger brothers. He graduated from high school in 1991 and went to Vanderbilt University on a Naval ROTC scholarship. It was there that he met his future wife, Heather. They both graduated from college in 1995 and were married immediately afterward. Hinkson was subsequently commissioned in the Marine Corps and went on to serve in Virginia, California, and Japan until the end of 2004. During his career in the Marine Corps, he served in operations in several countries including Afghanistan. Hinkson resigned his commission in the Marine Corps in 2004 in order to pursue vocational ministry. He has served as interim pastor for Palms Baptist Church in Twentynine Palms, Calif., for two years and as pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Lebanon Junction for four years. The Hinksons have three children, Abby, 12, and Clark and Ethan, both 9.