Ministering & Serving With You…


Craig A. Sherouse, Ph.D.,
Senior Pastor		Rev. Craig A. Sherouse, Ph.D. has been our pastor since March, 2008. Craig’s personal mission statement is: “To joyfully and faithfully live with integrity, honoring God and leading others to Christ.” Craig finds the missional history and passions of Second Baptist to be a great fit. Previous pastorates included: First Baptist, Griffin, GA (2003 – 2008); Lakeside Baptist, Lakeland, FL (1990 – 2003); Seminole First Baptist, Seminole, FL (1982 – 1990); and Rock Haven Baptist, Meade County, KY (1976 – 1981). Craig is also active in the Baptist World Alliance, and currently serves as the Chair of its Heritage and Identity Commission.

Craig is a native of Florida and graduated from Stetson University (B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and Ph.D.). His graduate fields of study were Christian Ethics and Baptist Studies. He is married to Beverly, who has taught elementary school music and has been a church organist/pianist. Their son, Alan, is a Baptist pastor in Manhattan, married to Jenny, and they are the parents of Jack. Craig and Beverly’s daughter, Susan, is a professional violinist and violin instructor, married to Jeff, and have a son, Harrison. Among Craig’s hobbies are: motorcycling; sailing; fishing; classical guitar; learning golf; and FSU football.

csherouse@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Raymond L. Spence, Jr., D.D.,
Pastor Emeritus

Rev. William L. Miller, Jr.,
Minister of Music		Bill Miller, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, has served as Minister of Music at Second Baptist Church since 1986, having previously served in the same capacity for ten years at First Baptist Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky. He is married to Debbie, Assistant Head of the Middle School at Collegiate School, has two sons, Brent, his wife Elizabeth, and Alan and his wife Mary Beth. Brent serves as Headmaster of the Carmel School in Ruther Glen, Virginia. Alan is Minister of Music at Orange Baptist Church in Orange.

Bill graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in voice – Music Education, later attended the University of Louisville, then earmed a Master of Church Music degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1983 in Shelbyville.

Here at Second Baptist, Bill stays busy with all of the regular duties of a minister, as well as directing the Sanctuary Choir, Senior High Youth Choir, handbell choirs, and several ensembles. In addition, he helps with worship planning and prepares seasonal programs for the enjoyment and enrichment of the congregation. In his time away from the office, Bill has a workshop, enjoys time with family, and shares ministerial thoughts with Brent and Alan. He also sings in the Virginia Baptist Male Chorale and the Richmond Symphony Chorus.

bmiller@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Kathi Traficanti,
Minister of Adult Education		Kathi was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended college at Colorado Women’s College, Arizona State University and graduated from the University of North Dakota. While at CWC, Kathi married Joe Traficanti who is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and that began the adventure of living in many places throughout the United States as well as overseas. Joe is the General Counsel for United Food Group and they have two sons, Nathan and Taylor.

Kathi graduated from Union Presbyterian Seminary of Christian Education in 2002 with a Masters in Christian Education. She has served at Second Baptist, since 2007. Before coming to Second she served for seven years at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen, VA. Serving adults through Christian Education and Discipleship is her passion and heartbeat.

Being a part of a loving community that is being transformed by Christ for unbounded service is a blessing that includes Sunday Schools, Bible Study opportunities, ministry opportunities, missions and more.

Taking time to be with family, read, go to the ,Y and gardening are a part of her life while not at church.

ktraficanti@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Rev. Welford Orrock,
Minister of Students		Welford Orrock has been the Minister of Students at Second Baptist since the spring of 2009. He was born in Fredericksburg, VA and grew up in Spotsylvania County. He attended James Madison University where he received a BA in Philosophy and Religion and was active in campus ministry and worked summers on staff at a youth summer camp. He received his Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. While in seminary at Duke Welford was active in the Duke Divinity School Baptist House of Studies and served several local churches as a ministerial intern.

Welford graduated with his M.Div. in the spring of 2009 and began full time at Second Baptist shortly after. He and his wife Becky have one child, a daughter and they enjoy traveling, hiking, playing with their dog Molly and spending time with family and friends.

Welford works with students 6th grade – 12th grade and on through college.

worrock@secondbaptistrichmond.org
Louis Orsatti,
Pastor, Spanish Language Ministry		lorsatti@secondbaptistrichmond.org or lorsatti@yahoo.com
Geriel DeOliveira, D.Min.,
Pastor, Portuguese Language Ministry		gdeoliveira@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Emily Boddy,
Director of Preschool Ministries		Emily was born in Atlanta, Georgia and then grew up in Washington, D.C. After graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1988 and moving to Richmond, she taught in Henrico County Schools. In 1997 she became the Assistant Director at West End Montessori School and remained there until she came to Second Baptist in 2005. Emily is also certified to teach Music Together®, a music program for infants-preschoolers and their parents.

Emily and her husband Mark joined Second Baptist in 1995. After teaching Sunday School, singing in the Adult Choir, leading Children's Choirs and directing Vacation Bible School Emily became one of the Co-Directors of Children's Ministries in 2005, primarily focusing on families with preschoolers. Emily is passionate about helping parents partner with God and the church to shape the faith of their children.

Emily and Mark have two daughters, one son and a Dalmatian named Bella.

eboddy@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Kathy LaPlante,
Director of Children's Ministries		Kathy was born in Pasadena, Texas. She graduated from Grawood Christian Academy in 1983 and attended San Jacinto College.

She is married to Wayne and they have two children: Steven and Emily.

Kathy worked at Advantage Capital Corporation for 10 years. She was Assistant Vice President of Operations. She held several National Association Securities Dealers licenses. She also served as a Principal of the Brokerage Firm. In 1996, when Emily was born, Kathy became a full time mom. Kathy and Wayne relocated to Richmond in 1998. In 2005 she became the Director of Children’s Ministries.

klaplante@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Susan Hill,
Director of Creative Learning Center		Susan was born in Richmond, VA, the daughter of Helen and Straughan Richardson, and grew up in Second Baptist Church. She is married to Jerry and has three beautiful daughters.

Susan has a BS from VCU’s School of Education, and completed her Master of Arts in Christian Education (2002) at Union Theological Seminary, specializing in early childhood development.

Susan worked as a social worker with the City of Richmond, at the Windsor Nursing Home, and as a Divisional Manager for Dun and Bradstreet Corporation for 10 years, prior to starting her family.

Susan began as a teacher at CLC in 1988, and became director in 1993.

She has served on the Richmond Early Childhood Association’s Board of Directors since 2006 and a Virginia Baptist Mission Board Weekday Conference committee member and conference teacher.

shill@secondbaptistrichmond.org or clcrichmond@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Judy Mawyer,
Children's Choir Coordinator		Judy has been a member of Second since 1979. She and husband Jim have 3 children, Taylor and his wife, Laura, and granddaughter, Jane, son Todd, and daughter Peyton. A native of Mineral and graduate of Westhampton College (U.R.) with a major in music education, Judy taught music in Hanover County,and has been the music teacher at C.L.C. since 1986. She has been involved with children’s choirs at Second for many years and has served as the children’s choir coordinator since 1995. She also works part time in the church office. Over the years she has been church pianist and a substitute organist. Besides participating in various Music Ministry groups and assisting the Music Minister, she enjoys singing with the Richmond Symphony Chorus and being a grandmother!

jmawyer@secondbaptistrichmond.org


Bob Mayo,
Organist		Robert W. Mayo, Jr. became organist of Second Baptist Church in January of 1987. Prior to that, he served as organist for St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Welborne United Methodist Church and Sunset Hills Baptist Church. A native of Richmond, he is a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology. While in college he served as organist for Farmville Presbyterian Church and Second Presbyterian Church in Petersburg.

Bob taught French, math, and computer science in Hanover and Henrico County Public Schools, having spent the last 24 years at Douglas Southall Freeman High School. Bob has two grown sons, Scott and Lee.

He studied organ with Mrs. Anne Bailey, Mrs. Edith Evans, Mr. Lawrence Robinson of Virginia Commonwealth University and Mr. Carl Freeman of River Road Church, Richmond.
Ron Axselle,
Upward League Director		raxselle@secondbaptistrichmond.org
Adam Williams,
Student Ministries Intern

Kathy Driver,
Office Manager		Kathy is a graduate of Park Ridge High School, in Park Ridge, NJ. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University and majored in Theatre Arts. She has lived in the Richmond area for 35 years. Kathy is married to Graham and they have four sons. She joined the staff at Second Baptist on August 1, 2006.

kdriver@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Patty Dimowski,
Administrative Secretary		Patty has been at Second Baptist since July 2000 as Administrative Secretary.

pdimowski@secondbaptistrichmond.org or info@secondbaptistrichmond.org

Amanda Gunter,
Communications Secretary		Amanda has been the Church Communications Secretary Since October of 2010, and before that was our part time administrative assistant. She is responsible for the website, e-newsletters, tv slides, and much more! She and her husband, Neil, have a beautiful daughter and 2 boston terriers.

agunter@secondbaptistrichmond.org
Adam Schumm,
Director of Food Services		Adam is an amazing cook who fixes our Wednesday Night meals, and other events here at the Church. He also has his own catering company, Dirty Apron Catering.

ajs.catering@dirtyaproncatering.com

Cherice Jackson,
Financial Administrator
(Contracted-Red Mole Consulting)		Cherice Jackson joined Second Baptist Church in February, 2010. Prior to coming to Second Baptist, Cherice spent several years in the private sector working as a Senior Financial Analyst. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004 where she majored in Finance and minored in Spanish. She later returned to Strayer University to pursue her masters of business administration and graduated in 2008. Cherice resides in Chesterfield with her husband, daughter, and dog. She enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time with her family.

cjackson@secondbaptistrichmond.org
Danny Belanger,
Facilities Manager
(Contracted - CFG Group)		Danny is our go-to guy for our church facilities and maintanence needs.
Viktor Bezuglov,
Service Master
Billy Petruska,
Service Master