Our Mission
To worship God in spirit and in truth, to make disciples through the preaching and teaching of the Word, and to serve our neighbors in Waycross with compassion and dignity.
About Us
Who we are
A Missionary Baptist congregation rooted in scripture, shaped by history, and committed to the people of Waycross.
Mission & Vision
Why we gather
Our Vision
A church whose doors remain open — spiritually and physically — for generations to come: preserving a historic sanctuary, nurturing families, and standing as a place of hope in this community.
What We Believe
Our faith
- The Bible as the inspired Word of God and our rule of faith and practice
- One God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ
- Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as ordinances of the church
- The priesthood of all believers and the autonomy of the local church
- The call of every Christian to worship, witness, and serve
Pastor's Message
A word from Pastor Gerald Robinson
Grace and peace to you. If you are looking for a church home, or simply looking for a word of encouragement, I want you to know that St. John's doors are open to you.
Our congregation carries a sacred trust: the faith handed to us by those who built this sanctuary with their own hands. We honor that trust not by looking backward only, but by serving faithfully today — in worship, in study, and in the streets of Waycross.
Come and worship with us. There is room at this table.
Send a full pastoral letter or biography and we will place it here.
Leadership
Those who serve
Pastor
Spiritual leadership
Preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and oversight of the ministries of the church.
Board of Deacons
Servant leadership
Assisting in worship, visiting the sick and shut-in, and supporting the pastor and congregation.
Deaconess Board / Mothers Board
Care & hospitality
Preparing for ordinances, caring for members, and mentoring younger women of the church.
Trustees
Property & stewardship
Stewarding the church building, grounds, and the historic preservation work.
Church Clerk
Records
Maintaining membership rolls, minutes, and official church records.
Treasurer & Finance Committee
Finances
Receiving, recording, and reporting the tithes, offerings, and designated funds.
Provide the names, titles, and photographs of current officers and we will list each one by name.
Board of Deacons
Our deacons
Our deacons serve the congregation in worship, in visitation, and in quiet, faithful care for the members of St. John.
As Head Deacon, Charles Hargrove assists the pastor in leading worship, coordinates the Board of Deacons, and helps ensure that the spiritual and pastoral care of the congregation is faithfully carried out.
The deacons minister alongside the pastor in prayer, in the ordinances of the church, and in visiting and supporting members — especially the sick, the shut-in, and those in need.
Board of Trustees
Our trustees
Our trustees steward the church property, the finances entrusted to us, and the ongoing preservation of our historic sanctuary.
- President of the Usher Board, 1975–2025
- President of the Pastor's Aide Board
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- President of the Decorating Committee
- Joined St. John's in 1952
- Married at St. John's in 1973
- Daughter of Freeman Walker Sr. (Head Deacon) and Vivian Walker (Head of the Kitchen)
- Member of St. John's since 1980
- Member of the Pastor's Aide Board
- Member of St. James, March 2026
- Vice President of the Mission Board Leadership Team
Ministries
Ways we serve together
From the youth department to the music ministry to outreach in the community, our ministries give every member a place to grow and to serve.
Affiliations
In fellowship and partnership
St. John stands with the broader community of institutions that preserve and uplift the heritage of Waycross and the Okefenokee region. We are a proud member of the following:
- A Proud Member of the Okefenokee Heritage Center Museum — Black Heritage Exhibit CommitteeBHEC