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About Us

A Welcome Message from Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Sheppard

We want to thank you for visiting our website and we hope your visit on this site compels you to come and worship with us. As Pastor, I adhere to a 3P Ministry: Passion, Purpose, and People. I possess a PASSION with PURPOSE to save PEOPLE. Here at First Baptist, we have a passion for purpose.

First Baptist Church of Merrifield (FBCM) is a multigenerational,
multicultural, and Spirit-led church on the cutting edge of ministry located in the beautiful Mosaic District in Merrifield, Virginia. We exist to reach, inspire, and impact local and global communities with the personal love of Jesus Christ. We are a committed church with a vision of transforming lives and our community. 

Moreover, we are an enthusiastic church with a deep passion to learn and obey God’s Word. FBCM exists to engage in holistic ministry without barriers and hindrances with a thrust to empower, engage, evangelize, equip, edify, exalt, and enrich. Our central purpose is to equip believers, empower saints, evangelize the lost, and edify God.

Our Vision is R.E.A.L.

Reaching the Lost: It is our vision to reach those individuals who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Empowering the Left-out: It is our vision to empower those individuals who are broken, weary, and wounded within the community. Our objective is to communicate the life-changing power of God’s Word and to empower them to discover and use their spiritual gifts to edify the body of Christ.

Assimilating the Least: It is our vision to integrate individuals from diverse backgrounds into our church family by helping them develop strong, healthy, and lasting relationships.

Loving the Lonely: It is our vision to love everybody regardless of one’s past. We endeavor to find ourselves by losing ourselves in the highest possible level of love, care, decency, and service to others. We believe that God values and loves all people regardless of their race, gender, economic status, educational level and various challenges in life.

We can’t wait to meet you!

With Love,
Rev. Dr. Paul A. Sheppard
Pastor

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Leadership Team

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Sheppard

Rev. Dr. Paul A.
Sheppard | Pastor

Having served as Pastor at several Baptist Churches since 2004, Pastor Sheppard was called to lead the First Baptist Church of Merrifield, VA, in 2019. One of the highlights in ministry has been visiting South Africa to fellowship with other believers and share the Gospel message. Widely known for his dynamic teaching style, he aims to help people apply timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives. He is a certified instructor with the Sunday School Publishing Board under the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. with the Department of Christian Education. His theological research has been presented before religious symposiums, revivals, and workshops nationwide.

Pastor Sheppard attended Howard University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology. He earned his Master of Theology degree from Wilbur H. Waters School of Religion and Theological Seminary. In 2017, Pastor Sheppard received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from St. Thomas Christian University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Esther Sheppard

FBCM First Lady

Esther Sheppard is from Pittsburgh, PA and is currently enrolled in the John C. Leland School of Ministry in the Diploma of Theology Program. She was licensed to preach the Gospel in 2022, and is the Co-Lead for the New Disciples Ministry. She is a Program Analyst with FEMA and the proud Mother of one son.
Gary Greene

Gary Greene

Chair of Deacons

Deacon Gary T. Greene has been a dedicated church member for many years, actively serving in choirs, Bible study, and men’s ministry, and previously leading a mentoring partnership supporting at-risk students. He later answered the call to the Deacon ministry alongside his wife and now serves as Chair, a role he approaches with deep commitment and prayer. As Chair, he emphasizes service, unity, and supporting the pastor, congregation, and broader community through faith, prayer, and outreach.
Rhonda Strawter

Rhonda Strawter

Chair of Deaconess Ministry

Deaconess Rhonda Strawter has been the Chairperson for over three years. During her service, she has provided support to the Pastor, other Deaconesses, Deacons and the church body. She is the wife of Deacon Richard Strawter. She has three grown children and five grandchildren.
Billy Willis

Billy Willis

Trustee Chair

Billy Willis, one of our dedicated Trustees here at First Baptist Church of Merrifield. After 30 years as a probation officer, Billy now serves as an elementary school security officer and brings that same heart for protection and integrity to our church family—instilled by his favorite scripture, Psalm 121, which reminds us that the Lord is our help. When he’s not helping steward our church, you can find him on the golf course, cheering on the Commanders, or spending time with his wife, Van.

Rev. Shomari
Hargrove | Youth Minister

Rev. Shomari Hargrove accepted the call to preach the Gospel in 2009 and on June 1, 2019 he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Religious Studies and Sociology from Randolph Macon College. In January 2022 he accepted the call to serve as the youth minister at the First Baptist Church of Merrifield under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Paul A Shepherd. Rev. Hargrove was ordained into the gospel ministry in July 2025. He is a 2026 graduate of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of theology with his Masters of Divinity.

Van Willis

Treasurer

Van Willis has been a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Merrifield (FBCM) for over 30 years. She currently serves as Treasurer and is an active member of the church’s Finance Team.

BELIEF, MISSION & VISION

What We Believe

There is one and only one, living and true God. And our commitment must be to keep Him first in all that we do.

God desires that no one perish and the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the grace of God through Jesus, the Christ, who gave His life that all may be saved.

The Holy Bible is without error and was written by men divinely inspired and contains a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction.

God equips the Church to share the love of Christ, wherever, whenever and to whomever He sends to us.

Others are to be esteemed higher than ourselves regardless of race, gender, nationality, title or status.

God has gifted every member and given each of us a purpose as He works in and through us by His Holy Spirit to advance His Kingdom and do His will on earth as it is in Heaven.

mission

To commit ourselves to God through witnessing in the Spirit of Love to the unsaved and un-churched, receiving God’s increase, nurturing and developing disciples within the Body of Christ to expand the Kingdom of God in a multicultural environment.

Vision

We believe that First Baptist Church of Merrifield is a church that preaches and teaches reconciliation and liberation theology. We believe that Christ teaches reconciliation and liberation that touch the lives of believers spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. We believe that Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of this concept and vision.

General information

FBCM is more than just coming to the Church on Sunday mornings. The Bible underpins every aspect of our lives. Whether you are a young person seeking a way to bring Jesus into your life or a husband seeking to walking with God to become a better man, we have a ministry or a program for you. Our dynamic ministries and our Bible study classes will help you grow spiritual. New members will be assigned mentors who will welcome you into the FBCM family and provide guidance on how you can become an involved member of our congregation.

kids

Youth are an active entity of the Church and are taught to practice the virtues of integrity, love, faithfulness, discipline, perseverance and excellence. Our Youth Council and Ministries (Church School, Drama, Junior Ushers and Youth Choir) encourage, enrich, empower, and encourage young people to flourish spiritually, socially and scholastically. They receive guidance through Biblical sound doctrine, team building and outreach activities.
 
 Through mentoring and tutoring, young people are provided with academic support and guidance.
 
 Our Scholarship Ministry: annual Scholarship Banquets where High School graduates receive scholarships for colleges of their choice.

how do i connect?

There are many ways to connect at FBCM, and you can view information about each ministry on this website by visiting our ministries page. For more information – or if you would like to participate in the ministry – contact the chairperson listed on the ministry page.
 
Want to ask us a question? Contact us.

Our Voices

God writes a story for each one of us. At FBCM, we encourage our members to share both their struggles and their joys so we can uplift each other in Jesus’ name. We hope that listening to these videos will give you insight into the experiences of our members and how their journeys may mirror and inform your own. We are a vibrant congregation–lifting our voices and prayers in the name of Jesus Christ. Hear our voices.