About | Fourth Presbyterian Church

About Us

Fourth Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

New? Learn what to expect here

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.

Fourth is a spiritual home

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.

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.

Rev. Dr. Jackie Putnam

Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Mission

Jackie considers herself a “denominational mutt,” having explored many different Christian traditions before coming to the PCUSA in 2012. She received her Bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb University where she majored in Religious Studies and Psychology. She earned her Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Prior to serving Fourth, she served as the Director of Christian Education and Youth and Northminster Presbyterian in her hometown of Hickory, NC. 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 healing religious trauma, embodied spiritual practices, 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.