David Hughes is perhaps one of the most carnal pastors in America. Similar to Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church, it’s a wonder how they are even in the Southern Baptist Convention. With zany hijinks like constructing a replica of the Iron Throne and pretend unicorns, the performative pandering is hardly admirable to any church. Yet FBC Fort Lauderdale is in need of a new lead pastor and has given David Hughes of Church By The Glades the job. He will be at the helm of two churches.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FORT LAUDERDALE Appoints Pr. David Hughes as Lead Pastor Fort Lauderdale, FL – June 11, 2023 – First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale today appointed Pr. David Hughes as its 1tith Lead Pastor. On June 11, the First Baptist congregation unanimously approved Hughes to assume the leadership position at the historic 115-year-old Baptist Church, located in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This appointment also marks a unique collaboration arrangement with Church By the Glades (“CBG”), formerly known as Coral Baptist, where Hughes has been faithfully serving as Lead Pastor for the past 24 years, where both traditional and contemporary services were held for 20 years. Hughes, who has dedicated his entire ministry career to the local area, grew up in Broward County and led CBG into a thriving congregation with more than 6,000 in weekly attendance. This is largely credited to Hughes’ passion for preaching the Gospel creatively and cultivating spiritual growth. Hughes is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity. The collaboration between First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale and CBG will foster shared resources while allowing each church to maintain its autonomy. This approach will enable the congregations to maximize their impact on the community while maintaining their individual identities and missions. The appointment of Hughes and the collaboration with CBG have been embraced with great enthusiasm, not only by the congregation but also by the esteemed lineage of former Lead Pastors at First Baptist Church. Dr. Bill Hinson, Dr. O.S. Hawkins, Dr. Larry Thompson, and Pastor James Welch, among others, joyously celebrated this significant development, affirming the shared vision and commitment to serving the South Florida community. With the proximity of the two churches, Pr. Hughes will have the privilege of preaching at both First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale and CBG, ensuring a seamless connection between the congregations. Additionally, he will maintain offices on both campuses to foster accessibility and collaboration. Pr. David Hughes will officially assume his new role as Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale on Monday, June 12. The congregation eagerly anticipates his first Sunday morning worship service, which will take place on June 25 at 10:30 AM. We invite our community to join us in welcoming Pr. Hughes as he embarks on this new chapter of spiritual leadership in South Florida.
FBC Fort Lauderdale has been at the center of mismanagement and scandal. In 2020, the church had suffered a significant decline in membership and fired their pastor. The church is also renown for their Christmas pageant which funds much of the church’s annual budget. No doubt the performative experience of David Hughes is relevant to the ambitions of FBC Fort Lauderdale. Megachurch Christianity is not dead, but it is evidently combining forces to stay alive.
