Our Vision
Fourth Presbyterian Church is a community of faith
growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
where children know that Jesus loves them
because the Bible tells them so,
where teens are connected to God,
good friends and strong mentors,
where women and men worship God joyfully,
read scripture prayerfully,
support one another compassionately,
and strive for unity rather than uniformity.
Fourth is a missional church
that lives the gospel of reconciliation,
cares for all of God’s creation,
and serves Christ in all people,
especially those who suffer, struggle, and doubt,
proclaiming with hope the kingdom of God.
Leadership
All staff members can be reached at (864) 232-8123, or feel free to email a staff member by clicking on his or her name.
Pastor
Baptized as an infant in the southern Presbyterian Church, Mike was raised as an active church member at Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA. In this close knit church family, Mike received the gift of faith, a love of studying the scriptures, and a strong sense of missional calling.
Mike earned his Bachelors degree (Accounting/English) from Presbyterian College, his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, and his Doctor of Ministry (emphases in Gospel & Culture and Missional Church) from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
Before being called to serve as Senior Pastor of Fourth in May of 2012, Mike served as Senior Pastor of the Glenshaw Presbyterian Church in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2001-2012) and before that as Pastor of the Loch Willow Presbyterian Church in rural Churchville, Virginia (1995-2001). His passions for ministry include preaching, teaching, mission, and mentoring those called to ministry.
In his free time, Mike enjoys hiking and other outdoor exercise, cooking, trying new restaurants, reading history and fiction, and traveling with family.
Mike is married to Nicole Sikora Heschong. Mike and Nicole have four children, Langley and James Hoyt, and Ben and Violet Heschong.
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Mission
Jackie comes to us from Northminster Presbyterian Church in Hickory, NC where she served as the Director of Christian Education and Youth for 5 years. She received her Bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb University where she majored in Religious Studies and Psychology. She received her Master of Divinity Degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Jackie also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education while serving as a chaplain at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, NC. Her passions for ministry include mission, preaching, interfaith relations, and social justice. Jackie and her husband Jeremy enjoy kayaking, hammocking, and playing with their two rambunctious rescue dogs, Gunner and Granger
.jpg)
Stephen Taylor
Organist & Interim Music Director
