ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SERVICE OF THE REV. DR. DWIGHT S. RIDDICK, SR., AT GETHSEMANE BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA
July 14, 2010
July 14, 2010
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Dr. Dwight S. Riddick, Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia. This is the 25th anniversary of Dr. Riddick's service to Gethsemane Baptist and the people of Newport News, and I would like to take this moment to recognize some of his numerous accomplishments during that time.
A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Dr. Riddick is a graduate of Norfolk State University. In 1991, he received his Master's Degree of Divinity from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, and in 2005, he earned his Doctorate in Ministry from Regent University in Virginia Beach. Dr. Riddick previously served six years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Dendron, Virginia before coming to Gethsemane Baptist.
In his position as Pastor of Gethsemane, Dr. Riddick has been an extraordinary shepherd over a vibrant and growing flock. Under his visionary leadership, Gethsemane Baptist has grown from a mission with 200 individuals to a church with well over 3,000 active members. I have attended Sunday services at Gethsemane Baptist and have seen his hand at work in his church and community. During his tenure, the Church established a learning and child development center, a Christian school and a Bible Institute. In addition, several community outreach programs and ministries have been created during Dr. Riddick's tenure.
Dr. Riddick led a successful building program which resulted in the construction of the current church building at Chestnut Avenue and 36th Street, and he is currently leading another building program which will result in the Church's second location on a 16-acre campus in Newport News.
Aside from his duties at Gethsemane, Dr. Riddick currently serves as the President of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, a group with over 1000 member churches. He also serves as the Vice President of the Hampton University Minister's Conference, a member of the Board of Trustees at Virginia Union University, and an Advisory Committee member of Consolidated Bank and Trust.
On the occasion of his 25th anniversary, it gives me great pleasure to recognize and commend Reverend Dr. Dwight S. Riddick for his service and dedication to the parishioners of Gethsemane Baptist Church, the people of Newport News, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In his position as Pastor of Gethsemane, Dr. Riddick has been an extraordinary shepherd over a vibrant and growing flock. Under his visionary leadership, Gethsemane Baptist has grown from a mission with 200 individuals to a church with well over 3,000 active members. I have attended Sunday services at Gethsemane Baptist and have seen his hand at work in his church and community. During his tenure, the Church established a learning and child development center, a Christian school and a Bible Institute. In addition, several community outreach programs and ministries have been created during Dr. Riddick's tenure.
Dr. Riddick led a successful building program which resulted in the construction of the current church building at Chestnut Avenue and 36th Street, and he is currently leading another building program which will result in the Church's second location on a 16-acre campus in Newport News.
Aside from his duties at Gethsemane, Dr. Riddick currently serves as the President of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, a group with over 1000 member churches. He also serves as the Vice President of the Hampton University Minister's Conference, a member of the Board of Trustees at Virginia Union University, and an Advisory Committee member of Consolidated Bank and Trust.
On the occasion of his 25th anniversary, it gives me great pleasure to recognize and commend Reverend Dr. Dwight S. Riddick for his service and dedication to the parishioners of Gethsemane Baptist Church, the people of Newport News, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.