Rev. Dr. Rodney D. Waller speaks on The Resocialization of Humanity inspired by John 11:1-37 for the
Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity University Chapel.

Reverend Dr. Rodney D. Waller is Senior Pastor of the third oldest African American Church in the United States, First African Baptist Church of Richmond, VA. Dr. Waller earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religious studies from Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Virginia Union University of Lynchburg. Dr. Waller is the author of Leadership Empowerment: A Paradigm in Administration and Leadership in the Urban Church in General and the Rural Church in Particular for the Twenty-First Century.

Prior to becoming Senior Pastor of the First African Baptist Church, Dr. Waller was the Senior Pastor of Sharon Baptist Church in Weems, VA. During his tenure at Sharon Baptist Church, served as a volunteer chaplain at the Rappahannock General Hospital, became a member of the Lancaster County Special Education Department, served on the Lancaster County Planning Commission, and served on the Lancaster Board of Directors. He is the past President of the Northern Neck Ministers Conference and the Jesse DuPont Foundation Church Resource Service and presently serves as the Treasurer of the Richmond’s Minister Conference and Vicinity. In 2006, he was one of the featured Preachers at the Baptist General Convention of Virginia which took place in Norfolk, VA. Dr. Waller also is a member of the Hampton Minister’s Conference Executive Board.

Dr. Waller was recognized by the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Richmond Chapter during Clergy Appreciation Month in October, 2012. In August of 2011, Dr. Waller was a guest preacher for the UK African American Preaching Festival in London, England. While in London, Dr. Waller also studied at Oxford University during his first week of August. Dr. Waller was also nominated as Co-Pastor of the Year by the Richmond Usher’s Union for the year of 2011.