LEADERSHIP

Through a Divine intervention, Robert stepped into his first ministerial position at age 19. He currently has nearly two decades of church leadership experience utilizing his gifts of teaching, leadership, and discernment. These gifts provide him with the ability to help people walk in obedience with the redemptive work of God.  Robert has enjoyed preaching every week and providing pastoral leadership for this congregation. Robert is passionate about personally sharing the good news of Christ with people and he believes that every Christ follower should be actively sharing this news with others as well.

Robert holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Tarleton State University, a Master of Divinity in Theology from Logsdon Seminary at Hardin Simmons University, and a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. In addition, he currently serves as a Chaplain (MAJ) in the United States Army Reserves with the 228th Combat Support Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Robert was assigned as a Chaplain for a COVID response hospital. Prior to his hospital chaplaincy tenure, he was assigned to the 505th Military Intelligence Brigade serving as a supervisor chaplain for multiple geographically dispersed Unit Ministry Teams.

He and April were married in 2010 and they have three children, Allie (9), Kate (7), and Julia who is (5). They met in college and before starting a family, April was a veterinarian technician and dog trainer. The Stephens family enjoys RV traveling as they love visiting new places. The Stephens family also enjoys family games and spending time together.  One of Robert’s favorite verses of scripture comes from Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

My goal is to inspire thoughtful, creative, and authentic followers of Jesus Christ, capable of fully engaging the world with the truth of the gospel.  An essential step towards this end is developing community, asking important questions, studying and applying scripture. We do this through community groups, Bible studies and our monthly Forum, which helps our young adults think through weighty, stand-alone, topical conversations.  

I grew up in Virginia Beach and earned a Master’s of Divinity and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. I truly enjoy mentoring college students and getting to know young professionals as they start their careers & build their lives, whether that’s over coffee or in a Bible Study or community group.  

God has given me a passion for working with children. I love the way that they think and learn about God and how they interact with others. The best part of my job is helping children connect to Christ and supporting their parents as they mentor a growing faith in their children.

A Virginia native, I grew up in Richmond, moved for several years due to military assignments with my husband and our children, and then settled in the Alexandria area in 1995. After teaching in a local elementary school for several years, I transitioned to directing the Weekday Preschool Ministry at First Baptist Church. Soon after making this career shift, I began to sense that full time service in the local church was God’s plan for me. After three years of leading our WPM, I was called to serve as the Pastor for Children. Along the way, I completed a Certification in Children’s Ministry through the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) and a Masters in Christian Leadership from the John Leland Center. Even so, I'm still learning.