Dr. Bishop T. Keith Hicks, born in Marion, South Carolina, is the son of James Thomas Hicks and the late Willa Dean (Moore) Hicks. As the third of five siblings—two older siblings, Paula Dean and Ira Howard, and two younger siblings, Priscilla Dawn and David Brain—he comes from a rich legacy of ministry within the Church of God. His great-grandfather, great-uncle, and uncle were all pastors, instilling in him a deep sense of divine calling.

Dr. Hicks first recognized his call to ministry during his kindergarten years at Easterling Elementary. After hearing God’s voice for the first time, he excitedly rushed home to share the news with his grandmother, who astutely replied that she already knew of his calling.

In 1994, Dr. Hicks married Gloria Kaye (Sasser) Hicks, and together they have built a loving family for over 30 years. They are blessed with three biological children: Caleb Stuart, MaKayla Dawn, and Kayse Dianne, as well as an adopted daughter, Hillary, who joined the family in 2007. All of their children and their spouses actively serve in ministry, continuing a beautiful legacy of faith. Dr. and Mrs. Hicks take great joy in their nine grandchildren: Mason Stuart, Gavin Cole, Aria Dean, Moeslee Kaye, Braylee Dawn, Sasser Brian, Jayden, Jaxtyn, and Josiah. In the spirit of Scripture, they believe, “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full.”

Dr. Hicks has pastored various churches across South Carolina, and he is currently in his eighth year at Bennettsville Church of God, marking his longest tenure as a pastor. His commitment to his congregation reflects his dedication to serving God and his community.

In addition to his pastoral role, Dr. Hicks has been a fifth-grade teacher at Scotland Christian Academy since 2021. His passion for education deepened after the passing of his mother, which spurred him to complete his academic journey as a means of coping with his grief. In 2022, he graduated with a double bachelor's degree in Psychology with a focus on Crisis Counseling and Christian Counseling. He furthered his education with a Master of Education emphasizing Higher Education and Educational Leadership in 2023, followed by a Doctorate in Philosophy with an emphasis on Counselor Education and Supervision in 2024.

Dr. Hicks attributes his achievements to the unwavering support of his loving wife, Kaye, and their beautiful children. He gives all glory and honor to God for granting him the strength to accomplish these goals before reaching the age of 50. His only regret is that his mother was not present to witness his accomplishments.

As Dr. Hicks looks to the future, he plans to continue teaching at Scotland Christian Academy and pastoring Bennettsville Church of God for as long as the Lord allows. His life exemplifies the power of faith, family, and resilience, inspiring those around him to pursue their own paths of service and fulfillment.