About Us
Rev. Donnell L. Hegler
Pastor Donnell L. Hegler, the 5th child of nine siblings born to the late John and Bernice Hegler of Locust Bayou, Arkansas.
He is a graduate of Hampton High School,
class of 1974 and received his Bachelors of Arts degree in
Speech and Drama with a minor in Theater from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff in 1978.
In 1964, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and united with Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas which was then led by Rev. Samuel Collins. Pastor Hegler was called to the ministry in 1976, under the leadership of Rev. P.B. Sharp. In 1979, he was ordained by Rev. B.C. Thomas and called to the pastorate of Douglas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where he has faithfully served for thirty-one years. His vision is to carry out the “Great Commission” as mandated in Matthew 28:18-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
He and his wife of thirty-years, Sheila Collins Hegler are proud parents of four children; Tina, Jerome, Sabrina and Marcus.
He obtained certification of Biblical Counseling and Biblical Studies from Light University and Liberty Bible Institute respectively. He also hold certifications as Dean of Christian Education and as a Christian Counselor. In 2000, he received Dean Certification from the National Baptist Convention Sunday School Publishing Board. He currently holds a master of Education degree in Agency Counseling from South Arkansas University in Magnolia, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Pastoral Counseling.
For more than twenty-five years, he was an educator in the El Dorado School District and subsequently retired in 2003. Pastor Hegler serves on the advisory board of the Arkansas Coalition For Juvenile Justice, Chair of Disproportion Minority Confinement, Federal Coalition for Juvenile Justice Board Member, Evangelistic Director for Baptist Youth Fellowship, Instructor of State Congress of Christian Ed. And former Dean of Friendship District Congress of Christian Ed. He currently holds membership in the American Association of Christian Counselors, Baptist Ministerial Alliance, Arkansas Retired Teachers’ Association, National Teachers’ Association, National Baptist Convention, Arkansas Consolidated Baptist State Convention, Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity and Mu Alpha Nu Fraternity.
The Douglas Chapel Church membership continues to grow numerically and spiritually with increasing numbers of members participating in varied ministries offered to enhance our Christian pilgrimage.
Awards:
Recipient of “The George Howard Award” 1995
El Dorado “Five Who Care” Annual Award 2000
Arkansas Travelers’ Award
El Dorado Education Foundation Outstanding Educator Award 2001
Who’s Who of Outstanding Black Men in America
Workshops”
“I’m Too Important to have Sex Before Marriage”—Abstinence
“Positive Peer Pressure”-Teens Positive Self-esteem
“Dress for Success”-Teens
Parenting Skills—Parents
“Spiritual Intimacy With God”---Couples
“Marriage Garden”---Couples
“Marriage God’s Way”---Couples
“Growing Spiritually”---General Population
“Becoming A Contagious Christian”---General
“Aggressive Sunday School Growth”---Christian Education, Pastors & Teachers
“Methodology of Teaching”---Teachers & Pastors
“Family Money Management God’s Way”---General
“Equipping the Saints”