Our Pastor

Ernest E. Hopkins Jr.

I began my ministry in 2005 as the youth minister at New Hope Community Church, Shallowater, Texas, after one years of service I joined Mt Olive First Missionary Baptist Church, Slaton, Texas where I was licensed as a Minister of the Gospel. In the month of August 2007, I was called to New Zion Baptist Church as the pastor. I completed my undergraduate degree at Wayland Baptist University majoring in Christian Ministry; I am pursuing a Master of Art in Business Management with a projected completion date in Spring 2010.

I am a native of Athens, Georgia with 4 siblings 2 sisters and 2 brothers, my mother died when I was 8 years old and my father was in jail for a reason I have yet to understand. After moving from home to home my fraternal grandfather and grandmother (Rev and Mrs. Fred J. Hopkins Sr.) who was a Southern Baptist pastor so graciously took us in his home. That was the first time in my life I was introduced to the Lord. After a long trail of troubling times I remember the proverbial straw that broke the Camel’s back as if it was yesterday, I guess it was yesterday in God’s eyes. I was 21 years old without a job and broke, I was standing on what is called, “The corner” with a friend. We was sharing a drink, standing less than 2’ apart when I heard a familiar sound of what seem to be firecrackers. I fell to the ground and began to crawl to the back of the building. When I returned to the front I found my friend lying on the ground with bullets in his head. He lost his life that day and I found mine’s. With those guys over 200 yards away I finally understood what God’s grace was. I left Athens, Georgia that week and joined the United States Army. Remembering all that my grandfather had equipped me with about salvation, Proverbs 22:6, ensuring I was trained in the right way, Proverbs 24:16, that what is important is that I get up one more time than I fell. Lastly, showing me the awesome love of Jesus Christ by having me read the books of Luke and John.

While traveling in the military I met and married the love of my life the former Lexie R. Cooper of Braxton, Mississippi. We have two daughters Jaqinta Hawkins, a graduate from the University of Arkansas, where she now lives with her husband Michael they have one daughter Alexis (4). Antonia L. Hopkins a senior attending University of Texas at Arlington. I have 3 other children Shawn, Travis who has 2 sons and Nicole with a son and a daughter, Zykearia and Kahar all still in Athens, Georgia. After over 25 years of marriage, my wife is still the love of my life she just moved from the #1 slot to #2, you see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ took the number one slot for the both of us.

As many of God’s children I feel that I am an example of how the Lord takes the prostrate of the world and uses it to fulfill His purpose. I thank God for loving me enough that He sent His Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to save me.