Letters from the Pastor

On January 5, Melanie and I got a new puppy! Our daughter, Isabella, picked him out and we traveled to Staunton, Virginia, to get him -- just in time for the snowstorm. He is a cockapoo. We named him Toby, which is short for the Hebrew name, Tobiah, which means, “God...

What do we mean when we address the culture of an organization, such as a business, sports team or a church? According to an article by Gallup, organizational culture can be defined as “How we do things around here.” The writers state that culture begins with the...

Valentine’s Day is often marked by expressions of love -- cards, chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt gestures.  And our wallets and credit cards show it!  According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are estimated to spend $27.5 billion on...

Please join me in remembering Dr. E. Glenn Hinson, former professor of spirituality at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR). Dr. Hinson died on January 29. I became acquainted with Dr. Hinson in 1995 as a first-year seminarian, where all students took...

Would you like to live an unhurried life where space for God and love for people were your top priorities? This was the way of Jesus. He said yes to the Father and his kingdom, and he said no to lots of other good things. This can be the way for us, too. In his book...

A Reflection on Our Annual Meeting Worship Service This past Sunday, we gathered as a church family to celebrate all that God has done in and through Huguenot Road Baptist Church over the past year. Our Annual Meeting Worship Service was a time of reflection,...

Are you or someone whom you know overly self-critical? As an oldest son and a “Type A,” I can be pretty tough on myself. Maybe you can identify. We overlook the positive and dwell on the negative. The proverbial glass is “half empty” even when it is overflowing....

Sometimes, what doesn’t make it into a Sunday sermon still deserves to be shared. Here’s a story I planned to use but left on the cutting room floor. This story, often shared in Christian circles, is attributed to an unknown author but carries a profound message for...

“The Renewal Project: Transformed Minds for God’s Will”  As we step into a new year, we often find ourselves reflecting on the past and setting intentions for what lies ahead. What better way to begin 2025 than with a focus on renewal—not just of our habits or...

As we celebrate Christmas, let us take a moment to reflect on the story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This story is more than a historical event; it’s a message of hope, unlimited second chances, and the assurance that it’s never too late to start something...