Dr. Ronnie Kent

Ronnie is a husband, father, grandfather (10 spectacular kids 12 years and under), retired pediatrician, and Bible fellowship teacher. He received his B.S. in Biological Engineering at Mississippi State University. He received his medical degree from University of Mississippi Medical School. He completed his residency in pediatrics at University of Mississippi Medical Center. He recently retired after 41 years of practice in Hattiesburg, MS. He and his family have been members of Temple Baptist Church since moving to Hattiesburg. He and Anne have been married for 44 years and have been blessed with three children and their families: Emily who is married to Troy have three children; Mary Brooke, Winston and Hudson; James who is married to Jessica have four children; Covington, Wylder, Roman and Ellie; Grace who is married to Casey have three children; Caleb, Eve and Kent. Ronnie’s life verse is Romans 5:2 “We confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be” and he looks forward to using his role directing the Faith and Wellness division of Servant School to seeing that become a reality in everyone’s life.

Michelle Hopson

Michelle Hopson serves as the Chief Operating Officer on our team. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Mississippi and is a former elementary school teacher. Married to her high school sweetheart, a college football coach, for over 27 years, Michelle’s life has been filled with adventures that have taken them to 14 different cities and universities, impacting many young men along the way. During their travels, Michelle reconnected with Dr. Ronnie Kent, who had been her daughters’ pediatrician, through their shared work with the Moore-West Center.

As her husband begins his 33rd football season, Michelle enjoys serving their university’s players, families, and communities. She delights in new adventures and meeting new people. Michelle and her husband, Jay, have two wonderful daughters, Hyde and Hannah, both in college. In her spare time, she enjoys exercise, healthy cooking, spending time with family and friends, and, naturally, football. Passionate about spreading the mission of Twelve Thirty, Michelle is dedicated to furthering the work of God through our partnerships.

Karl Ficken

Karl worked for Amoco Production Company in Lafayette and New Orleans, LA, from 1981-1989. He joined Willmut Gas and Oil Company, Hattiesburg, MS, (Willmut) in 1989 as Director of Purchasing. In 1995, Karl was named Corporate Vice President and later became President in 2001. In September 2016, Willmut was purchased by The Laclede Group, out of St. Louis, MO, now known as Spire Inc. In 2017, he was named General Manager of Spire Mississippi (formerly Willmut) and Spire Gulf (formerly Mobile Gas Service Corporation in Mobile Alabama), with responsibility for Field Operations (Service and Construction) reporting directly to the President of Spire Alabama, Gulf Coast and Mississippi.

Dr. Jimmy Stewart

Dr. Stewart graduated from William Carey University with a BA in Religion and a minor in English in 1980. Since 1979 he has served the members of seven local churches as a student minister, single adult minister, outreach minister, married adult minister, campus pastor and senior pastor.

Jimmy graduated from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with the Master of Divinity in 1985 and the Doctor of Ministry in Church Health in 2005. He and his wife Janice have a son Kyle (wife Laurie) and a daughter Kadiana.

Jimmy has traveled to Russia, Honduras, Mexico, Hong Kong, Peru, Cuba (2), Philippines and Uganda (2) on mission trips. He has also been engaged in mission work in Idaho, North Carolina, New York (2), Michigan, Georgia and Washington.

Dr. Stewart has served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Gulfport since February of 2010. He has been an adjunct professor for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and William Carey University. Jimmy serves on a number of boards including William Carey University, Home of Grace, Disability Connections and previously on Goodwill of South Mississippi.

Dr. Charles Stone

As a pastor for over 42 years, He has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. As a published author he has published seven books with one coming out in 2024 from Moody Press. His articles have appeared over 300 times on various Christian leadership websites. He holds four earned academic degrees, including a D.Min. and a Ph.D., in addition to an executive master’s degree in the neuroscience of leadership and a graduate certificate in Mind, Brain, and Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on chronic stress in pastors. He has an International Coach Federation certification, ACC (Associate Certified Coach). He has been married 42 years and has three adult children and four grandchildren. For more information and to follow his blogs, visit www.charlesstone.com

Rev. Randy Turner

Randy Turner has dedicated his life to ministry, education, and community service. He has received specialized training in Evangelism Explosion and Continued Witness Training, along with courses in Continuing Education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Emory University’s Candler Divinity School. Randy’s mission work includes volunteering in South Africa, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras. His denominational service is extensive, including roles such as member of the Resolutions Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention, the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and various committees within the Mississippi Baptist Convention. He has also served as President of the Mississippi Baptist Pastor’s Conference and delivered the Convention Sermon at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in 1999.

Randy’s contributions to religious publications include articles in the Biblical Illustrator and Student Magazine, and regular contributions to the Natchez Democrat and Natchez Digest. His community involvement spans several organizations, including the Natchez Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the American Red Cross, and the Pine Belt Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Notably, he was a torchbearer for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games Torch Relay.

His pastoral career is highlighted by his remarkable 30-year service at First Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi. During his tenure, he provided steadfast leadership and spiritual guidance, significantly shaping the church community. Prior to this, Randy held leadership positions at Parkway Baptist Church in Natchez, Mississippi; Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia; West Fairburn Baptist Church in Fairburn, Georgia; Pocahontas Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi; Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi; First Baptist Church in Lucedale, Mississippi; and Antioch Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Randy Turner’s lifelong commitment to his faith and community has left a lasting impact on many in his 50 plus years of service.