Rev. Fernando Downs, Jr. is a native of Corn Island, Nicaragua in Central America.

 

School in Nicaragua proved to be a struggle for Pastor Downs. At age 16 he left Nicaragua for the Bahamas enrolling in the Bahamas Baptist Theological Institute, in Nassau where he began his training to become a minister. While in the Bahamas, he completed his high school education simultaneously with earning a diploma in theology from the Institute.

 

Following his graduation from the Institute, Pastor Downs came to the US  where he began his studies toward a college degree at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, North Carolina in 1966. In 1969 he received his BA degree from the University and in the fall of 1969, Pastor Downs enrolled in the graduate program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth, Texas. It was there that he met his wife of 48 years, Terry Lea Keyser, and was married in 1971.

 

After completing his Master of Divinity in 1972, Pastor and Mrs. Downs moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where they ministered for two years. In 1974 they were invited to pastor at Southside where they have been for the past 45 years. Pastor and Mrs. Downs are the proud parents of two daughters, one son and two granddaughters.

 

We’re blessed to have Reverend Fernando G. Downs, Jr. as our Pastor.