Dr. Dwight Riddick, Senior Pastor

Pastor Dwight Riddick is an exemplary leader who has allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him in all phases of his life - in his personal life, in his educational and community involvements, and in his pastoral accomplishments.

He is a native of Chesapeake. Virginia. His parents are Mr. Willie Riddick and the late Mrs. Gertie Riddick. God joined him together with his partner in the ministry, Mrs. Vera Brite Riddick, also of Chesapeake. They are the proud parents of a son, Pastor Dwight Shawrod and a daughter, Tiffany.  

In 1982, Pastor Riddick graduated from Norfolk State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with an emphasis in Pre-Law. In 1991 he received a Master of Divinity from the School of Theology of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry from Regent University in May of 2005.  

Pastor Riddick is involved and productive. He has served as evangelist on numerous occasions and has facilitated workshops and seminars in the following areas: Biblical Studies, Evangelism, Leadership, Stewardship and Family Relations. He also contributed to the development of published materials for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia’s Heritage Series.  

God called Pastor Riddick to pastor Gethsemane Baptist Church in May 1985. He formerly was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Dendron, Virginia. Under his leadership, Gethsemane has grown from a mission of 200 members to a church with a membership that exceeds 2600 members. He has led the church in a multimillion dollar building project and in the operation of a Learning and Child Care Center and Christian Academy.  

Pastor Riddick's ministry is fruitful and reaches all age groups. He has instituted Life Stages Ministries, started conferences for men and women, and a Bible Institute. He also led his congregation in building the first Habitat House to be sponsored by a Black church in Hampton Roads. Pastor Riddick also started a Radio Ministry that reaches the Hampton Roads area and beyond. Many other powerful support ministries have started under his leadership

The Pastor's Family