Graduate Profile: Jeremy Hammer

I was raised in Tennessee and still call it home today. I live here with the beautiful family God has graciously given me. Outside salvation, God’s greatest gift to me has been my precious wife, Leslie. We were married in 2006 and have three wonderful children: Brandon, Katelyn, and Dylan. For many years, Leslie has faithfully devoted herself to motherhood, homeschooling, and making our house a place of comfort and joy. Without her encouragement and sacrifice, I would not have made it through seminary.

As I reflect, I can see that God’s grace has always been present in my life. From an early age, it was impressed upon me that God was sovereign and good. During my childhood, we endured the unexpected loss of several close relatives. Yet, despite our family not being involved in any local church, my mother had enough discernment to comfort me with the truth that God was in control and that he loved us. I am thankful for my mother’s insight, for this was my introduction to the God whom I would come to love later in life.

Devoted mothers are a blessing from the Lord. However, they are incapable of regenerating their children’s hearts. Thus, her wise words did little to overcome my fallen and treacherous heart. As I grew older, I wandered far from God. With Bunyan, I can say, “There were not many who were my equal in cursing, swearing, lying, and blaspheming the holy name of God.” I loved all the world had to offer and cared little that I was on the path to hell.

Then, in my mid-twenties, God providentially began to plow my stony heart. After graduating from technical school, I was hired as a Harley-Davidson technician in Maryville, Tennessee. It was there that I met a beautiful receptionist who later became my wife. It was also where a Christian coworker first began sharing sermons and discussing Jesus Christ with me. Little did I realize that God would use those sermons to teach me about repentance and faith. Around the same time, my wife and I also began attending a local Baptist congregation, where we served for sixteen years. While there, my pastor became a dear friend who invested countless hours teaching me about life, marriage, and the Bible.

As time passed, I developed a strong desire to pursue pastoral ministry. Through the encouragement of my pastor and others, I started taking online classes at The Master’s University, where I earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies. After graduating, my family began attending Grace Community Church in Maryville. Here, we found a church that cherished Scripture, proclaimed the gospel, and loved Christ deeply. The teaching elder, Chris Riser, picked up the baton from my previous pastor and began mentoring me. At Chris’s recommendation, I started a three-year pastoral internship through XL Ministries and pursued my master’s degree through Reformed Baptist Seminary.

By the Lord’s grace, I completed the XL internship in 2024, and my home church graciously brought me on as an Executive Associate Pastor and elder. The training I received at Reformed Baptist Seminary has been especially valuable in preparing me for this role. Every class has deepened my love for God’s Word and his people. I’m especially thankful for Dr. Gonzales, Vadim Chepurny, and all the faculty who encouraged me along the way.
Most of all, I am grateful for the mercy of God and for how he has providentially guided my life. As I reflect on the years leading up to the completion of my degree at Reformed Baptist Seminary, my mother’s words still ring true: God is sovereign and infinitely good!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jeremy Hammer