Pastor's Welcome Page

Dear Friend,

I am glad that you have chosen to visit our website, thankful for your interest in First Presbyterian Church, and delighted to be able to share with you a little about the Lord's flock here. The First Presbyterian Church of Jackson has been a steadfast witness to historic, Reformed, Christianity for over 165 years. As one of the original churches in this great capital city, both an appreciation of our history and a concern for Spiritual vitality characterize the outlook of this assembly of believers. With a great sense of gratitude for the legacy that has been bequeathed to us, our eyes are firmly fixed on the hope that is set before us.

The church's first minister was the Reverend Peter Donan (who did his studies at Princeton in the days of Charles Hodge and Samuel Miller). He and his little flock organized First Presbyterian Church on April 8, 1837 in a meeting held in the Capitol Building at the northeast corner of North President and Capitol Streets in downtown Jackson. Massive changes have occurred in our world and culture since then, but the First Presbyterian Church still holds fast "the confession of our hope without wavering" (Hebrews 10:23).

What do I mean by that? Well, first, that means that we are committed to the Bible, God's inerrant and infallible word, as the final authority in faith and life, and so we view the faithful preaching (and hearing) of His word as essential to growth in the Christian life. While other churches question the Bible's authority or look to another source of truth for guidance or downplay the ministry of the word, we remain deliberately committed to expository preaching and teaching of the word.

Second, it also means that we are committed to the Reformed faith, as set forth in the historic Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. This is the best known of the seventeenth-century Protestant statements of faith and has been heralded as the finest Christian confession of faith ever composed by uninspired men (we would be delighted to give you a copy). The doctrines of grace of our Confession are beloved to Reformed Christians, because they are biblical and emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation. "God saves sinners" is the rich motto of the Reformed faith. While some churches are abandoning or "updating" this gospel, we are purposely proclaiming "the faith once-delivered."

Third, holding fast without wavering, means that we are committed to the Great Commission, and so support more than 190 missionaries and evangelists at home and abroad. Yes, God saves sinners but he has appointed means for doing so. "Faith comes by hearing" Paul said. So, we are determined to be faithful in doing and supporting the work of evangelism here and around the world.

Fourth, this also means we are committed to the Biblical teaching on the communion of the saints, and so seek to foster real Christian fellowship, mutual concern, and love in the life of the congregation. Programs and committees are no substitute for holy and compassionate relationships. We aim to be what God calls his people to be: a family - naturally and practically caring for one another and discipling one another in the good times and the bad. Our goal, then, is to be a loving community of believers in Christ, truly committed to one another, who live out an unforced and unprogramed discipleship and witness.

Finally, like our forbears, we know that the problems of today admit of no human solution. We believe that the only hope for the world is in the Spiritual regeneration of souls wrought by God through Jesus Christ, and so we fervently pray for God-sent revival in our lives, our church, our city and our land.

First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi is one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States, and one of the flagship congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). God has chosen to use ministers, elders and members of First Church to play a significant role in establishing the PCA (the nation's largest conservative Presbyterian denomination), Reformed Theological Seminary (a leading theological training center for evangelical ministry with campuses in Jackson; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Orlando, Florida), and Reformed University Ministries (a nationwide campus fellowship).

It is my privilege to serve the Lord alongside a gifted staff. We have a number of remarkable ministers working in our congregation. Our Minister of Music and Media, Dr. Bill Wymond, is an extraordinarily gifted musician and teacher of the word. Bill directs our choir, is a first class organist, a leader in the arts community, and has held just about every position on our church staff at one time or another. To say that he is much appreciated by our people is a gross understatement. Brister Ware, our Minister of Pastoral Care, is a son of this congregation and deeply loved by all. Brister cares for those in need, visits the infirmed and shut-in, and truly pastors us all. Billy Joseph, our Minister of Congregational Care, was the Reformed University Fellowship campus minister at the University of Alabama for over 22 years! He focuses on three areas of ministry: pastoral care as a means of discipling the whole congregation, strengthening the marriages of the church through pre-marital and marital counseling, teaching and relationship-building, and mentoring the deacons of the church in the ministry of mercy.

Since I arrived at First Presbyterian in 1996, I have emphasized the teaching of the Word of God and, by God's mercy, the people are responding: as witnessed by the faithful attendance of the congregation on Sunday mornings, and especially on Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights. I see my task as five-fold: (1) Preach the Word, (2) Love the People, (3) Pray down heaven, (4) Equip the elders, and (5) Promote family worship and religion. Undergirding this five-fold agenda, is my personal commitment to live a godly life.

The church's preaching ministry is followed on radio both in and outside of Mississippi. Morning services are carried in North Mississippi on WWSL 102.3FM. In Central Mississippi, WJNT 1180AM carries "Hymns of the Faith" a talk format radio program that looks at our best-loved hymns, their theology, poety, and music. Dr. Duncan and Dr. Derek Thomas co-host the program, along with Dr. Bill Wymond. This program is also accessible world-wide via the internet and compact disc. Sunday morning services are broadcast on WLBT Channel 3, the local NBC affiliate and are picked up statewide. A wide audience across the whole state follows these programs

This website is our compliment to you. It is designed to tell you something of what God is doing at First Church, to provide you useful information about our congregation and ministry, as well as general information about Christian history, theology and living. We invite your inquiries.

Do call me if I can be of assistance. You can contact my Executivel Assistant, Jan Hyde, by dialing 973-9104, if you need other information related to the church website or regarding sermon tapes, outlines, manuscripts, or books. Do read through the helpful material here. And, again, please accept my warmest greetings.

J. Ligon Duncan III PhD

Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America, 2004
President, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
Chairman, Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood
Convener, Twin Lakes Fellowship
Adjunct Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary
Council, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
Executive Committee, Secretary of the Board, Belhaven College
Editorial Director, Reformed Academic Press
1390 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Phone (601) 353-8316
FAX (601) 973-9119 (Main Switchboard)

Phone (601) 973-9104
FAX (601) 353-9686 (direct lines to Ministers' Office)

Office email: Ligon Duncan
Personal Assistant Jan Hyde: jhyde@fpcjackson.org

J. Ligon Duncan III
Minister