SONYA SKINNER

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/CHURCH SECRETARY

Sonya Skinner, born at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, Colorado, is the only female child born to Clarence & Ethel DeVose. She is a sibling of three brothers, two older and one younger. After her family relocated to Hampton Roads, she attended Phoebus High School and graduated in June, 1988. In 1996 she dedicated her life to Christ and currently walks in an evangelistic anointing. She worships at Progressive Life Worship Center under the leadership of Pastors Lawrence and Dorothy Govan. She is a member of the Evangelist Ministry and Editor of Thursday night Bible Study lessons. On July 21, 2007 Pastors Govan ordained her marriage to Delvon M. Skinner, an electrician at Hampton University. Upon working many years in the communication industry Sonya continued her education at Thomas Nelson Community College. She graduated with honors and obtained her Associate’s degree in Business Administration on May 15, 2007. She is currently scheduled to begin classes at Hampton University in January 2008, where she plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In her spare time she completes the court required chapter seven bankruptcy forms for those who can not afford an attorney and she is a Prime America Representative. Upon passing the CPA exam, Sonya would like to apply her education and experience to helping God’s people live an abundant life without financial stress. Her desire is to produce more Christian lenders instead of borrowers. To help accomplish her goal she plans to open a financial center that will offer affordable tax preparation, budgeting, and wise investments.

Biographical Sketch for Rev. Reginald L. Dawkins, M.Div.

Rev. Reginald L. Dawkins

Personal: Rev. Reginald Dawkins is a native of Greenville, South Carolina.  He is the son of the late Tommy Lee and Mary C. Dawkins.  He is married to the former Alethia B. Moore of Tate, Georgia. He is a graduate of the public schools of Greenville County; he received his Bachelor of Art Degree in Christian Studies from North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC.  He received his Master of Divinity Degree from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA in Pastoral Care and Counseling. He presently is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in preaching and leadership.  Church Affiliation:  He presently serves as the Pastor of the First Church of Newport News (Baptist) in Newport News, Virginia. He is leading the church to function in Christian discipleship by teaching, preaching, and serving, with a strong emphasis on Christian education, Christian leadership, community involvement, and support of various agencies. He is leading the church in a 20 year capital building plan which will impact all generation for the glory of God. In addition, he served as the pastor of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in Piedmont, S.C. for fourteen years. Community Affiliation:  He was the Moderator of the Reedy River Baptist Association for four years, treasurer and program chair for the Greenville Baptist Minister's Fellowship and vicinity, Vice chairman of Cooperative Ministries, Adjunct Professor at American Baptist College Nashville, Tenn. (Greenville Extension), a member of the NAACP, The Hampton University Minister’s Conference, the National Baptist Convention USA. Motto: If you do right by God, God will do right by you.

Biography

REVEREND LOIS SCOTT PIGFORD, RNBS, M.DIV

Lois Pigford is the granddaughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. Walter M. Scott and the daughter of the late John Wesley and Lois Buckner Scott of Hampton. Rev. Pigford is the widow of the late Rev. O. Robert Pigford.  She was born in Hampton, attended public schools in Hampton and is a graduate of George P. Phenix High School. She is a graduate of Henryton State Hospital School of Practical Nursing, Henryton, MD, Freedman’s Hospital School of Nursing at Howard University, Washington, DC and Hampton University School of Nursing, Hampton, VA. She is a 2001 graduate of Virginia Union University Samuel Dewitt School of Theology and serves as Director of Christian Education and Ministry Development at the historical First Church Newport News (Baptist).She is a graduate of the Bon Secours Hampton Roads Parish Nurse Ministry and Education Department Program and serves as a Registered Professional (Faith Community) Nurse. She also serves as a Stephen Leader (lay ministry facilitator) at The St. James United Methodist Church, Hampton, VA.

 Her career as a health caregiver (provider), health educator, nursing educator and administrator and now a clergywoman has afforded many past experiences, present achievements and she anticipates many future rewards.

 Her career has been integrated with family life. She is the mother of Paul and Karen (deceased) and the grandmother of Nicole and Darryl, a rising senior at Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC. She loves and serves as one of the caregivers for a lovely, Christian, senior aunt and uncle, a ninety-six and a ninety-one year old. 

 She has a passion for Christian education, congregational care, Faith Community Nursing and community service and finds great joy in ministry.  

 She believes that we should trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge him and he will direct our paths.  

HORACE SIMMS

Horace Nathaniel Simms, a native of Hampton, VA is the son of Walter C. Simms and the late Margaret E. Backus Simms. Since June of 1994, Horace has served as the Minister of Music at the historical First Church of Newport News (Baptist). Under his leadership he oversees the entire Music Ministry, which is comprised of music, drama, dance and instrumentation. He is also responsible for selecting appropriate music for worship, training and developing spiritual leaders and participants in various capacities of this ministry.   Through the auspices of music, his ministerial mission is to create an atmosphere where the people of God can worship God, and the Spirit of God can rest amongst the people of God, which will enable them to hear a word from God.  Horace has matriculated as a Music Education major with emphasis in piano, voice and organ at Virginia State University, Colonial Heights, VA and Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA. He is an active member of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America where he serves as the Minister of Music. He is also a member of the MENC, NEA, Hampton University Minister’s Conference and Organist & Choir Guild and the Hampton/Newport News Organist Guild.  Horace, a well known musician in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, is a sought after facilitator and clinician for area churches and abroad. He has served the following parishes: First Baptist Church, Hampton; Queen Street Baptist, Hampton and Antioch Baptist, Hampton. Horace, an educator for exceptional students, serves as a paraprofessional with EMD students in the Newport News Public School System (NNPS).

 

 

MINISTER OF MUSIC