STIMULATING
- EMPOWERING - GENUINE
A Motivational and Spiritual
Leader, A Family Man, A Philanthropist and Community Activist, and A
Business Man
» AS A MOTIVATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL LEADER
Was destined to lead and was recognized for various achievements in his childhood and educational years. In May 1998, under the spiritual mentorship of Pastor Billy G. Russell, he was licensed to preach the gospel. Just one month later, Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith, presented Pastor Hedgemon with the Keys to City of Meridian and proclaimed June 17 as LaBaron Hedgemon Day. He was a Presidential scholar and the recipient of the prestigious Meyer Davidson Leadership Award (1999). In the spring of 2003, Pastor Hedgemon graduated from the Cooper's School of Missions and Biblical Studies at William Carey College. In the spring of 2015, Pastor Hedgemon graduated from Fort Hayes State University with a Masters of Liberal Studies in Organizational Leadership. In October 2015, St. Thomas Christian University awarded Pastor Hedgemon an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. In further pursuit of expanding his professional and academic development, in 2017 he began his doctoral studies at Johnson University in the Ph.D. program in Global Leadership.
One of his many God-given gifts as an Evangelist is his ability to flow in the prophetic, miracles, and the Word of Knowledge. In August 2007, he was called upon to pray by the Governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour, at the Republican Governor’s Conference in Jackson, Mississippi. In February 2008, Minister LaBaron Hedgemon was ordained as an Elder in the Lords Church by Pastor Craig E. Tucker. In March of 2009, he was named Religious Unsung Hero by the Meridian Star for his outstanding and unselfish community service. In March 2011 he accepted the call to fulfill his destiny and accepted the office of Pastor at Freedom Rock Christian Fellowship Church. Immediately, “The Rock” had a new heart and it was beating resoundingly!
Over the next two years, Freedom Rock experienced record exponential growth and by the end of 2013 the church had over 500 active members, Freedom Rock has become one of the fastest growing churches in Lauderdale County. The growth continued so prominently that in January 2015 Freedom Rock began offering three services each Sunday to accommodate its growth and began plans to build a larger sanctuary to accommodate the 21st century needs of spiritual community. In 2018, Freedom Rock began holding its first services in their new $2.4 million edifice. The new facility could accommodate up to 650 members and featured a state-of-the-art sound, video, and lighting system with theatre-style seating.
In June 2014, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. pronounced the “Ancestry Blessing” upon his son Pastor Hedgemon through the laying on of hands. In 2019, just five years later, he established KIINGS, Kingdom Individuals and Institutions Networking Godly Success, a collaborative, cutting edge, progressive, “in-time” organization for senior pastors whose purpose is to nurture, equip, and enhance the vision and team of its members by coupling spiritual wisdom with corporate expertise. Later that same year, he was recommended to the bishopric by Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr and Bishop Sidney P. Malone. The International Bishops’ Conference (+I+B+C+, Inc.) interviewed and agreed that Dr. Hedgemon would be consecrated as Bishop in the Lord’s Church in the Summer of 2020 under the Episcopal authority of the Presiding Prelate Archbishop Allen T. Wiggins.
Since becoming the shepherd of Freedom Rock, Bishop-Elect Hedgemon, has spoken at numerous conferences and revivals across the United States and abroad, he has spoken in Huntsville, AL; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Bloomfield, Connecticut; Internationally, Pastor Hedgemon has spoken throughout the several provinces of the Johannesburg South Africa. Even though his stay was brief, he even found time to minister via documentary to his Freedom Rock Family from the busy streets of Paris, France.
» AS A FAMILY MAN
Is the husband of First Lady Shaunta Michelle Hedgemon, and the father of Miss Alaysia Tionna, Miss Alasyn BaLeigh, and Mr. LaBaron II.
» AS A PHILANTHROPIST AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
Has served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity in Lauderdale County, board member for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Mississippi, Love’s Kitchen, Boys & Girls Club, Dropout Prevention for Meridian Public School District; Chaplain for Meridian High Wildcat Football Team and Education Committee for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation. He is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Lauderdale, and was selected by Cambridge to the 2007-2008 Who's Who amongst Professionals and Executives. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. where he serves as Director of Reclamation. In January 2007, in obedience to the Father, LaBaron Hedgemon Ministries, Inc. was founded and incorporated as a non-profit ministry. Through LHM, Inc. he facilitates empowerment seminars in finance, business, and leadership throughout the Meridian and Lauderdale County communities as well as conducting an annual Back to School supplies and uniform drive for the less fortunate, this year having served the needs of over 100 well-deserving kids. In 2012, Pastor Hedgemon began laying the groundwork for the Camp Destiny Afterschool and Summer Enrichment Program. When the program opened in June 2013, it quickly became one of the largest programs of its kind in the area, serving nearly 70 children within the Lauderdale County. Encouraged by its impact on the community, Camp Destiny was awarded a $1.8 million grant that funded its cultural, social, and academic programs over the next five years and allowed it to now be able to serve as many as 120 children in 2014. In October 2013 Pastor Hedgemon envisioned the need for educational impact that precedes grade school. In January 2015, that vision became a reality with the grand opening of New Destiny Daycare &Learning Academy. A state of the art 60 member facility featuring computer centers, a movie theatre, and Abeka curriculum.
» AS A BUSINESSMAN
Pastor LaBaron Hedgemon began working in corporate America at age sixteen for BankPlus. In 2005, he was promoted to Bank Officer of Citizens National Bank and served as a Consumer Lender and Credit Analyst. As a Consumer Loan Underwriter he was recognized for several professional accolades including holder of a consumer loan portfolio of nearly $38 million and recognized for his efficiency in the financial sect by receiving the Star Performer Award in 2007 and 2008. His greatest achievement to date in the financial and commerce industry was serving as lead financial officer of a $1.9 million state of the art commercial loan for a local church assembly. In 2009, he founded Hedgemon Insurance where he operates as an independent insurance agent in Alabama and Mississippi. That same year, he also founded 24/7 Developments, LLC, (representing the birthday of he and 1st Lady Hedgemon) a for-profit real estate business in which he serve as President. Lastly in December 2011, Pastor Hedgemon founded New Destiny Urban Community Development Corporation, the non-profit subsidiary for Freedom Rock community and properties. In 2012, after committing full-time to his pastoral assignment at Freedom Rock and resigning from the banking and finance industry, he founded the Hedgemon Group, a dynamic leadership and business consultancy firm that focuses on financial management, strategic management, and entrepreneurial empowerment.
