Born in Crawfordsville, Iowa, Pastor Dick Hedger was lead to the Lord by his oldest sister on December 30, 1949 at the age of 12. Although away from the Lord during his teenage years, he had a Godly mother who never stopped praying for him. It was through a terrible car accident that he finally got his heart right with God. Pastor Hedger became actively involved in an independent, fundamental Baptist church in Cherokee, Iowa before moving to assist his former pastor at a church in North Highlands, California. 

​In February of 1975, the Lord laid a vision on Pastor Hedger’s heart to start a church for the inner-city people of downtown Sacramento. That became a reality on January 25, 1976, when the doors opened for the first time at 2115 8th Street. The property was rented and later bought from the Chinese Grace Bible Church. In 2019, the Lord opened the door for DBC to relocate to a new location at 6130 Freeport Blvd.  

Over the past 40+ years, Pastor Hedger has seen many come to Christ and many grow in the Lord. Downtown Baptist Church would not be where it is today without the leadership of Pastor Hedger. His commitment to the ministry has never wavered, and his passion for people is evident in the work here. By God's grace, DBC will continue on until the Lord returns.   

​Pastor and Mrs. Hedger have four children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Hedger went home to be with the Lord in February 2019. Pastor Hedger stepped into the role of Pastor Emeritus in the summer of 2024 and is thrilled to hear how the Lord is using Downtown Baptist Church today under Pastor Seth Riojas.