Biography of Rod Hemphill

Rod Hemphill was born in Johnstown, PA, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. He was transferred to the Marine detachment at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Responsibilities included standing honors for visiting dignitaries, standing guard at Admiral Smedburg's residence, and being responsible for the operation and security of the brig and external security of the North Severn River Naval Command.

While at Annapolis, he became the organist of the First Baptist Church of Eastport, heard the Gospel of Christ and gave his life to Christ one month before being discharged from The Corps, and became committed to entering Christian service. At this church he also met Dottie Sadler, whom he married in 1960. Rod and Dottie have four children, five grandchildren and a new grandchild to be born in June.

Rod's education includes extensive studies at the Washington Bible College and The Southern Baptist Seminary, with Bachelor and Master Degrees in Religion being earned at The George Washington University, and a summer studying Biblical sites and archaeology in Israel, particularly at Tel Arad.

Rod has been a professional pianist and organist (pipe organ) for fifty years, during which time he pastored the Fountain Memorial Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. for seven years and the historic Saters Baptist Church near Lutherville, MD for eight years.

In 1981 Rod entered bi-vocational ministry in which he also was employed as a Realtor, taught the Maryland State licensing course in real estate, and became a mortgage loan originator. He has been the Administrator of the Information Systems Department of Eastern Savings Bank and was the Coordinator of the bank's Emergency Response Team until 2009. From 1984 to present Rod has also served as pastor of the Brantly Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD and its new extension in Manchester, MD.

Pastor Rod is a student of Scripture.  See a list of Rod's articles here.