Bro. Walter "Wally" Blackman began as senior pastor of EHBC Easter Sunday of April 1999. This is his 48th year of total ministry with 38 years serving as a pastor. He began his ministry at Southside Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia where he led the adult training program teaching 10 Steps to Christian Maturity. Bro. Wally served his first pastorate ministry in 1986 serving at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Natchez, MS for 4 years. Next, he served nearly 9 years at FBC, Marion, MS. Since that time, he has served as our senior pastor for 25 years.

Bro. Wally and his wife, Suzanne, have been married for 43 years and have adult children, all saved and part of EHBC, including all 8 of their grandchildren. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History/Religion from the University of Alabama and an Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Bro. Wally’s favorite verse is Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."