First Christian Church has been through a lot the last year and a half. On April 28, 2014, a day after its former minister left the church, a fire claimed the church building, which had been one of the oldest in Beaufort County.

Since, the church has used the experience as an opportunity to redefine itself, and as the church anticipates the completion of its new church building, which is currently under construction, the congregation is gearing up to welcome a new minister.

According to a press release from the church, it will welcome Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Kines Jr., its new full-time senior minister. Kines, born in Atlanta, Ga., and raised in Rome, Ga., received his Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy from Berry College and his Master of Divinity degree from Emory University. He also received a doctorate from the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology with a concentration in religion and social change. Kines began his pastoral ministry in 2001 and was ordained in 2006. He has special gifts in the area of preaching, teaching and visionary leadership, the release said.

According to Steve Ainsworth, a member of the church’s Pulpit Search Committee, the church was particularly impressed with his dynamic preaching and engaging personality and feels his experience, strengths and visions will serve the congregation well as they look to the future.

“The thing that impressed the committee most was his vision, and he leads through what he refers to as a gift-based ministry,” Ainsworth said. “Ministers have to be able to recognize weaknesses, as well as the gifts and talents, within the congregation. A lot of that is the congregation looking at themselves and realizing their strengths and weaknesses. It’s a matter of looking at the given gifts or talents that we need in order to carry out a specific goal and getting those people involved in the things they do well.”

Ainsworth said Kines will focus the congregation on not only taking care of the church within, but also making an impact in the community and other places in its ministry.

“In this visionary effort, (Kines) is one that looks way beyond the congregation itself,” Ainsworth said. “You take care of yourself, but it’s just as important for us to be reaching out to others. Looking to the community and even a more worldwide scale at places we’ve been having an impact on society, in general, it’s not just for the people of that church itself.

“We knew the most important goals. The people wanted someone who could preach well, and this is a man who preaches without notes and paces the stage as opposed to being behind the pulpit because he’s so confident with his message. He’s also the nicest guy you’d ever want to know. He listens well, and he’s really easy to talk to.”

Kines is married to Valerie Meadors KInes, and they have three children — Evie, 5, Sam, 8, and Kate, 12, according to the release.

Kines will preach his first sermon at First Christian Church at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Oct. 4, at the temporary location of the church’s services, the Family Life Center of the Temple of Jesus Christ on Hackney Avenue.

Following the 11 a.m. service, the congregation will be celebrating “Sharpie Sunday” at the new building location on Third Street, where all congregation members are invited to sign the beams of the new church.

On Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m., there will be a special installation ceremony for Kines with a reception following. The congregation extends an invitation to the public to join in welcoming Kines to Washington, according to the release.’

The church will also be saying farewell to its interim minister, Lance Perry, Ainsworth said. Perry was in charge of getting the church through its healing process and organizing the church’s transition team. His last message will be Sunday, and Sunday evening, the church will host a pig picking for Perry to express thanks and gratitude for his role in helping the church through one of its toughest experiences yet.