John Hinze began his ministry at First Baptist Church on June 14, 2009.  Brother John and his wife, Marcia, the former Marcia R. Jordan of Artesia, have returned to Eastern New Mexico from Carlsbad, where he had been pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church for the past 11 years.

During his time in Southern New Mexico, Brother Hinze chaired Pecos Valley Baptist Association's credentials, resolutions, evangelism and stewardship committees and was vice moderator elect.

Until moving to Tucumcari, Brother Hinze was serving for the second time on the executive board of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico.  During his earlier tenure, he chaired the Board's education committee, served as vice-chairman and chairman and was a member of the Baptist Building's relocation committee.  For the past two years, Brother Hinze has chaired the board's missions mobilization committee, and in 2003 he was a member of the Committee on Committees.  He has been a state children's and youth Bible drill caller since 1992.

While serving in Carlsbad, Brother Hinze also was a member of the Happy Valley volunteer fire department, on the board of directors of the Carlsbad  Battered Families Shelter, on the executive committee of chaplains for the Carlsbad Medical Center, which he chaired, on the selection committee for a head football coach for Carlsbad High School and was president of the Cavemen Football Boosters.

A graduate of Artesia High School, Hinze attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales in pursuit of a bachelor of science degree in religion.  He also attended Arlington (Texas) Baptist College.

Previously Hinze served as pastor of Mayhill Baptist Church, 1990-96; pastor, New Testament Baptist Churrch, Portales, 1985-90; assistant Baptist Student Union director, ENMU, 1988-90; youth and outreach director, Forrest Heights Baptist Church, Clovis, 1983-85; and associate pastor, Sioux City (Iowa) Baptist Church, 1981.

Brother Hinze was licensed to the gospel ministry by Forrest Heights, Clovis, in 1984 and ordained by New Testament, Portales, in 1985.

The Hinzes have been married since 1982.  They have two grown children, Alyssa Rae and Jordan Edward.

Brother John has already joined the rural volunteer fire department for Quay County.