First Baptist Church Newport News — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Dr. Randy Shepley III (Pastor)

Founded 1881 (organized as Newport News Baptist Church; formally constituted 1883)

Denomination Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV)

Service Times Sundays (see website for current times)

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website www.fbcnn.org

Pastor Credentials Pastor of FBC Newport News; BGAV (Baptist General Association of Virginia) affiliated; established Newport News congregation since 1881

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

SBC church — presumed orthodox.

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

BGAV does not require inerrancy — while many congregations hold to biblical authority, the denominational framework is more theologically moderate than the SBC's Baptist Faith & Message 2000.

Caution

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Men's ministry and discipleship infrastructure needs direct verification given BGAV's more moderate denominational context.

Caution

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

SBC — presumed faith alone.

Strong

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

Direct fetch of homepage did not surface pastor gender, women-in-ministry stance, or LGBTQ language. BGAV affiliation unchanged; BGAV denominationally permits women pastors but local stance not verified on this pass. Red held on precautionary BGAV/CBF-adjacent grounds.

BGAV allows women in pastoral roles — First Baptist Newport News specific stance needs direct verification; complementarian conviction cannot be assumed

WARNING!

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Verify — leadership structure unclear from search.

Caution

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

First Baptist Newport News has a 140-year history — but BGAV affiliation means the preaching culture needs direct evaluation to determine whether it's expository or therapeutic/topical.

Caution

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Bilingual services suggest outreach focus.

Caution

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Newport News is a diverse Hampton Roads city — the urban context and BGAV's moderate posture increase risk of progressive cultural accommodation in programming and preaching.

Caution

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

BGAV (Baptist General Association of Virginia) — the moderate Baptist body in Virginia, distinct from the more conservative SBC of Virginia. BGAV is associated with CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) and has a more theologically diverse, moderate stance than the SBC. BGAV churches vary significantly in their theological positions, particularly on Scripture, gender, and cultural accommodation.

Caution

Assessment

First Baptist Church Newport News has a remarkable 140-year history on the Virginia Peninsula, organized in 1881 and formally constituted in 1883. Dr. Randy Shepley III leads this historic congregation. The concern is the BGAV affiliation — the Baptist General Association of Virginia is the moderate Baptist body in Virginia, distinct from the more conservative SBC of Virginia. BGAV is connected with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and takes a theologically moderate stance that allows greater diversity on Scripture, gender roles, and cultural issues than the SBC's Baptist Faith & Message 2000. This doesn't make FBCNN a bad church — but it means verification is required. Visit, listen to the preaching, ask directly about their stance on Scripture's authority and complementarian convictions before committing. The historic pedigree is impressive; the denominational framework is less clearly conservative.

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MOOP Engagement Tracker

How this church was personally verified by the MOOP directory team:

✓ Researched church website