Reverend Shawnte Davon Hardin “The Prince of Preaching” is a native son of Columbus, Ohio where he has resided on the southeast side all of his life. Reverend Shawnte Hardin has over 15 years of ministerial, church development, and administrative experience. He is 29 years of age and the Current Senior Pastor of The Faith Missionary Baptist Church.
As a young man “Shawn” as he is affectionately known, has always recognized his call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He recognized the call at an early age while growing up at the First Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Columbus. It would be there under the Pastorate of Dr. Sutton Richards Jr. that Shawn would be baptized. Growing up between the ages of 8-13 served the deacon board, praise and worship teams, and also helped with tithes and offering. Rev. Hardin is a Believer in “FAITHFUL GIVING”. He also assisted in other church functions such as aide to the Pastor. Continually, while at the First Mount Carmel Shawn once again heard the call to preach and at the tender age of Fourteen years old. He preached his trial sermon on Palm Sunday in 1994. He preached to a full church of people from across the country.
Minister Shawnte Hardin began his ministry full schedule preaching revivals, coordinating revivals, instructing seminars and preaching Pastoral anniversaries all over the country. At age 16 Reverend Hardin gained one of his first of many great accomplishments. In 1996 at the International Student Convention in Perdue, Indiana he was named 2nd in the world for homiletic and preaching ability all while being a student of Heritage Christian Academy in Canal Winchester, Ohio. It was said, “That at this age, he is one of the most prolific minds of the time” Dr. Lawrence C. Grady, Moody Bible College Professor.
At age 18, Rev. Hardin completed Heritage Academy. He holds a Master of Arts in Divinity and is currently pursuing a PH. D in Pastoral Care from the Trinity Theological Seminary in Evansville, Indiana.
Reverend Shawnte D. Hardin is currently The Senior Pastor of The Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio. He is the Father of two Children Taylor Michelle, 7 and Shawnte Davon Jr., 3. He and his family are faithful members of the church.
Shawn is a community leader, activist, and elected official. At age 19 Shawnte was elected to the Franklin County Central Committee, the youngest person to ever be elected and hold this position. As a community leader Reverend Hardin has always come to the fore front of issues of Racial Equality, Education, Employment, and Economic Development. He has been a key voice in the urban and suburban district of Franklin County and the State of Ohio. He has served on numerous boards such as organizations like the Police Athletic League, the Communities for Progress, and Urban Revitalization task force to name a few.
The Life of Reverend Shawnte Davon Hardin as not been of ease, he has faced challenges and obstacles in his own life. These hurdles have been for the positive which he now uses to help people in similar situations. He has made a good example of his life with all glory and the credit do to his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Reverend Hardin always says “I shall forever give God the credit and all the glory for all he has done, for if I had ten thousand tongues I couldn’t tell it all”. He is a gifted preacher, a talented psalmist, actor, and writer and former Semi- Pro football player for the Columbus Fire. He has starred in such plays such as “I Hear the Sound of Music”. Original gospels play of the Christian slave. He currently is co-authoring books such as “A Message to the Preacher” and “Faithful Giving is a Fruitful Life”. Pastor Hardin is working on his first single Authorship on his first book “What Do You Do When Life Hurts”
Reverend Hardin’s' strong skills in finance and budget management are and will be an asset in assisting the church in the annual church budget while first to Shepherd the flock where the Lord has placed him. He has demonstrated the ability to raise funds for the operations of the church and other outreach ministries as well as build a congregation through evangelism. Also his general knowledge and experience in construction and renovation will also help prove beneficial. He does posses the skills needed to delegate responsibilities, and appropriate church support and the members for the total growth of the church.
It has been the calling of this man of God to pastor a people, a people like David, a people after God’s own heart. His desire is to lead people to where God wants them to be. He is man who desires to serve first, seek the lost and elevate the saints. Rev. Hardin has said, “We as preachers first must develop our mind to be as Christ mind and then we lead as he lead”. “For who hath known of the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ”. 1 Corinthians 2:16. It is his desire to pastor a church where the people may be in overflow with the Spirit of God. He would like to build a Christian School where the parishioners and the community could send their children for a quality and safe education so that we may develop strong Christian leaders in our future.
Reverend Shawnte Hardin is a born-again, anointed, spirit filled leader who thoroughly versed in scripture, rooted and grounded in the word. He is solid in Baptist doctrine and Bible doctrine. He is a man of integrity and impeccable character always exhibiting the love of Jesus Christ.
All scripture is by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2nd Timothy 3:16.
