Why Plant HubCity Baptist Church?

In a city enriched by academic institutions and various cultures, there is a profound opportunity to establish a church that resembles the multitude spoken of in Revelation 7:9 (“from every nation, from all tribes and peoples, and languages…”). HubCity Baptist Church aims to be a beacon of reconciliation and truth, uniquely co-pastored by an African American and a Caucasian committed to biblical exposition. This partnership symbolizes our commitment to breaking down racial and cultural barriers, demonstrating the power of the Gospel to unite all people.

By planting this church, we seek to reflect the Kingdom by showcasing the beauty of a diverse yet unified body of Christ. We aim to engage the academic community by ministering to the unique needs of students, faculty, and staff from both universities. Our desire is to model racial reconciliation by providing a living example of unity through shared leadership. Additionally, we are committed to equipping, preparing, and sending out believers to make disciples both locally and globally.

Leadership

Dr. Brett Golson

Pastor

Brett serves co-pastor of HubCity Baptist, bringing a heart for missions, leadership, and biblical teaching. He is also Vice President of Strategic Operations at William Carey University. Brett earned a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi, a B.A. from William Carey, and three graduate degrees—M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D.—from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Before joining Carey in 2012, Brett pastored full‑time and taught as an adjunct professor at Mississippi State University. His passion for the Great Commission has fueled thirty‑five international mission trips and countless domestic journeys.

At Carey, Brett chaired the Christian Ministries department, where he spearheaded the Cross‑Cultural Business Management major (in partnership with the School of Business), the Christian Ministries major, the Arabic Language & Culture program, and the Intercultural Studies double‑major track. He later served as Dean of the Cooper School and Vice President for Church Relations and continues to teach as a full professor.

Brett and his wife, Karen, have four married children and a growing tribe of eleven grandchildren. They love opening their home to church members and college students—usually with good coffee and better stories. Whether in the pulpit, the classroom, or the backyard, Brett’s heartbeat is simple: glorify Christ and equip His people for gospel mission.

Dr. Thomas McSwain

Pastor

Thomas is a pastor, professor, and author who lives out his calling in the Pine Belt, across the state of Mississippi, and any place God commissions him to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to serving as one of the pastors of HubCity, he is the Pastor of Old Hopewell Baptist Church in Collins, MS. Previously, he was senior pastor of two other churches in Hattiesburg, MS and in Thomasville, N.C.

Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Carey University in 1998. He furthered his education at Grand Canyon University with a Master of Arts degree in Christian Studies and a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership.

He is a certified mentor with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for one-on-one discipleship. With Christ’s church as his passion, Thomas serves as a licensed trainer for Send Network of the North American Mission Board. He has served as Vice President of Baptist Medical and Dental Missions International in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. McSwain also served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, including a tour of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Homes of Hope based in Lamar County.

He authored a book, “Don’t Fight the Darkness,” with a foreword by Dr. Fred Luter, past President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is currently working on academic pieces, devotionals, as well as a collection of children’s books. Thomas serves as the Director of the Robert Whitehead Christian Leadership Institute at William Carey University and as an Assistant Professor of Religion.

Thomas and his wife, Sonya, have been married for 30 years. They raised four children together, embracing their role to teach and train their children in the way of God.

Doctrine

At HubCity Baptist Church, we uphold key biblical doctrines that guide our faith and practices. Our commitment includes recognizing the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, The Danvers Statement, The Nashville Statement, and The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. Below is a summary of each document and how they shape our church community:

Baptist Faith and Message 2000  

This document outlines the core theological beliefs of Southern Baptists, including the authority of Scripture, the nature of God, salvation through Christ alone, baptism, and the mission of the church. It emphasizes the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, guiding our teaching, preaching, and daily life.

The Danvers Statement  

The Danvers Statement addresses biblical complementarianism, affirming the distinct but complementary roles of men and women in the church, family, and society. It calls for mutual respect and love, reflecting God’s design as outlined in Scripture. This understanding informs our approach to leadership, family ministry, and discipleship.

The Nashville Statement  

This statement focuses on biblical sexuality and gender identity, affirming marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman and upholding God’s design for human sexuality. It highlights the importance of compassion and truth as we address cultural challenges while standing firm in biblical convictions.

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy  

This statement affirms the truthfulness and trustworthiness of the Bible in all that it teaches. It emphasizes that Scripture, in its original manuscripts, is the inspired Word of God—without error and fully authoritative in matters of faith, doctrine, and life. This statement upholds the reliability of God’s Word in the face of cultural and theological challenges, calling the church to interpret and apply it faithfully. This conviction shapes our teaching, preaching, and discipleship, as we seek to live under the full authority of Scripture in every area of life.

These documents reflect our commitment to biblical truth and serve as a foundation for our ministry, guiding how we teach, disciple, and engage with the world.

Membership

1. Personal Faith in Jesus Christ

  • Members of HubCity Baptist must have personally repented of sin and placed faith in Christ alone for salvation.

  • We hold to the belief in a regenerate church membership, meaning only those who are truly born again should be members.

2. The Ordinance of Baptism by Immersion

  • Membership requires believer’s baptism by immersion as a public declaration of faith and obedience to Christ, not a means of salvation.

3. The Ordinance of The Lord’s Supper (Communion)

  • Members participate in the Lord’s Supper, which we observe regularly as a body of believers.

  • Communion is a remembrance and declaration of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection until He returns.

4. Agreement with HubCity Baptist’s Doctrinal Statement

  • We affirm the following statements:

  • Baptist Faith & Message (2000)

  • The Nashville Statement on Biblical Sexuality

  • The Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

  • The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

  • Membership includes a commitment to upholding biblical teaching in both doctrine and daily life.

5. Financial Stewardship (Tithes and Offerings)

  • Members are encouraged to give generously and faithfully, recognizing that financial stewardship is an act of obedience and worship.

  • Giving supports the mission, ministries, and outreach of HubCity Baptist.

6. Service and Ministry Involvement

  • Members are expected to use their God-given spiritual gifts in serving the church.

  • Opportunities for service include teaching, discipleship, outreach, hospitality, music, children’s ministry, prayer, mercy, discernment, encouragement and more.

7. Evangelism and Missions

  • We want to be a church known for having gospel conversations in our community.

  • Members are encouraged to share the gospel daily and support both local and global mission efforts.

  • Our church will train, commission, and support those going on short-term and long-term missions.

8. Biblical Church Leadership and Discipline

  • HubCity Baptist follows the biblical structure of church leadership:

  • Pastors/Elders lead through oversight, teaching, shepherding, and equipping.

  • Deacons serve and assist in meeting the needs of the body.

  • The congregation affirms leadership decisions and engages in ministry.

  • If an elder or member is living in unrepentant sin, the church may engage in biblical church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17), always seeking repentance and restoration.

9. Fellowship and Accountability

  • Membership at HubCity Baptist means being part of a family, committed to praying for, encouraging, and holding one another accountable.

  • We commit to bearing each other’s burdens and walking through life together.

10. Perseverance in Faith

  • Church membership is a lifelong commitment to Christ and His Church.

  • Members are encouraged to grow spiritually, remain faithful to biblical truth, and persevere in the faith until Christ calls them home.

Partnerships & Oversight

Partners

Longview Point Baptist Church
Hernando, MS
longviewpoint.org

Affiliated With

The Southern Baptist Convention
sbc.net

242 Network
242network.com

Mississippi Baptist Convention
mbcb.org

North American Mission Board
namb.net

Core Values

Mission Statement (What are we called to do?)

We exist as a training hub to glorify God by equipping disciples for life, ministry, and mission.

What do we stand on?

The Word is Our Foundation

We believe in the inspiration, inerrancy, sufficiency, and relevancy of Scripture as our ultimate guide for life, ministry, and mission (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16).

Worship Fuels Our Purpose

We glorify God as our highest calling, shaping all we do through prayer, praise, and obedience (Psalm 117; Colossians 3:23).

Discipleship is Life-on-Life

We invest sacrificially in students, equipping them to grow in faith, character, and calling (Psalm 145:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:8).

Mission is Our Mindset

We are called to equip and send disciples to make an impact locally and globally through evangelism and church planting (Psalm 96:1-3; Matthew 28:16-28).

The Gospel Changes Everything

We believe in the power of the Gospel to transform lives, shape communities, and expand God’s kingdom (Psalm 22:22-31; Romans 1:16).

Strategy

We move upward in worship, deeper in discipleship, inward in fellowship, and outward in evangelism. That’s not branding, it’s our heartbeat. From Midtown to Downtown, campus lawns to coffee shops, we exist to love people well, teach them to love Jesus deeply, and send them out to make disciples.

Acts 2:42-47

01.

Upward in Worship

Exalting God through prayer, praise, and obedience.

02.

Deeper in Discipleship

Equipping believers to grow in faith and calling

03.

Inward in Fellowship

Encouraging one another through biblical community.

04.

Outward in Evangelism

Engaging the lost through witness and missions.

How do we know when we are succeeding?

We see disciples growing in maturity when they are:

  • Living by the Word (applying biblical truth daily)

  • Growing in the Word (deepening in knowledge and obedience)

  • Worshiping through the Word (glorifying God in all things)

  • Spreading the Word (sharing Christ and multiplying disciples)