This is the report from the Pastor Search Committee presented to the church on Sunday evening, November 2:

We feel that Hampton Baptist Church has been blessed with outstanding pastoral leadership throughout its history, certainly within our lifetime. We have sought and are confident that God has led us to a new pastor who is a worthy successor to our past leaders.

An Introduction to
Charles R. Smith
Senior Pastor Candidate

Charles Smith was recommended to us by three leaders who are held in high esteem in Virginia Baptist circles. They know our church through their visits with us and by their work with members of our congregation. These referrals were made in July of this year.  They are Tom Graves, Cecil Sherman, and Dan Bagby.

Charles Smith has served as pastor of a Baptist church in a small town in Virginia for nine years. 

• He has been the senior pastor, Kenbridge Baptist Church, Kenbridge, Virginia, since April, 1994.

• Led the church to change mission giving to the CBF

• Initiated a Hispanic ministry and supervises the church planter

• Church is growing and is a vital ministry force in the community

• Led the church in a renovation and redecorating campaign 

Charles has extensive ministry experience.

• He served seven years, prior to his present pastorate, as Associate Pastor of Students in a multi-staff church.

• He was Associate Campus Minister Intern at Virginia Tech for one year.

• He was Minister of Music and Youth for two years while a student at Seminary.  

In response to questions posed to him by the Pastor Search Committee, Charles responded: 

• Pastoral care – “everything I do has some pastoral care overtones”…funerals, bereavement and hospital visits take priority

• Leadership style - his is a player/coach style; he leads by example

• Mission projects - Hispanic ministry housed in his church; current church is an active supporter of county missions

• Relationship with pastors/community leaders - participates in the Ministerial Association, Ruritan Club, Chamber of Commerce, 1999 Citizen of the Year for Lunenburg County 

Charles has served in denominational, ecumenical, and civic leadership positions: 

• Virginia Baptist Mission Board - Town and Country Church’s Committee

• Nominated and will be elected to the board of the Religious Herald at the November meeting

• Lunenburg Ministerial Association - President and Secretary

• In Lunenburg County - Hispanic Task Force, Youth Committee Chair, Minister’s Conference Treasurer-Southside Baptist Association, 24/7 Team

• In the county schools - VP/Safe & Drug-free School Advisory Committee, Gifted Advisory Committee, PTO Nominating Committee Chair 

Charles is committed to education and study. 

• 2002 Graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond - Doctor of Ministry

• 1987 Graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - Masters of Divinity in Religious Education

• 1983 Graduate of University of Georgia - BA in Journalism 

Charles is a family man. 

• He has been married since 1987 to Jennifer Price, an ordained minister who is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

• They have two children, an 11-year-old daughter, Ally, and an 8-year-old son, Samuel. 

• He reports that “my greatest joy comes in spending time with my family.  I have coached my son’s soccer  and baseball teams, and my daughter’s softball teams.” 

Charles works to maintain a healthy balance in his life. 

•  “I enjoy all sports with football and baseball being my favorites. I am an avid Red Sox fan, but an even greater University of Georgia fan.”

•  “I play on the church softball and basketball teams.  I also enjoy snow-skiing and am a frustrated runner (meaning that I do not take time to run regularly enough).”

• “I enjoy traveling. . . I enjoy movies and good food, too.  I truly enjoy bass fishing in local ponds.”

• “I have always loved the beach.” 

We as a committee have been attentive to the qualifications you have told us that you expect in a pastor – an ordained Baptist minister with excellent academic preparation and pastoral experience; married, between 40-55 years of age; a theological moderate. You expect a pastor who is called and committed, intelligent, a professional who takes initiative in the interest of the church; an approachable person of unquestionable integrity; a motivator, unifier, and communicator. You require a pastor who has professional skills in preaching, pastoral care, counseling, and administration; who works with his staff in worship, ministry, and outreach planning.

Without any reservations, we recommend Charles R. Smith to you as a person of quite remarkable skills who we feel will meet your expectations. We all know that no one is perfect.  We do not offer him as the perfect man or the perfect pastor. We have examined many resumes, listened to many sermons, talked to many references, and interviewed a good number of candidates. We are recommending to you the cream of the crop and a person we have come to admire, to like, and to trust with the leadership of a great, historic church, and with our children.

“If Charles does for Hampton what he did for Kenbridge, you will rise up and bless the day he came to you.”  Cecil Sherman, Interim Pastor, River Road Church, Richmond

“Charles is one of the most able, compassionate, and astute young ministers that I know today.  He combines the rare gift of insight with warmth and faith.” Dan Bagby, Director of D. Min. Program, Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond 

“Charles Smith is not just a pastor; he is like leaven who enriches everyone around him and the community in which he lives.” Dr. William B. Sweetser, Pastor at Ebeneezer Presbyterian Church in Kenbridge, Virginina