About MBC
God's Vision
We are the body of believers known as Metropolitan Baptist Church!
We are “The Ministry That Makes a Difference.” God’s vision for this body of believers is to spiritually impact community. We are a relevant body of believers for relevant times with a primary vision and objective of winning souls for Christ. We make a real difference in the lives of real people. God is our father, Jesus Christ is our Savior, the Holy Spirit is our guide, and the Bible is our roadmap to success. We are the ministry that thinks “globally” and acts “locally.”
We strive to make a difference!
We are the Metropolitan Baptist Church. We strive to make a difference in the world by ministering to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of those inside and outside the church. We always seek to empower people by helping them to utilize, maximize, and capitalize on their God given gifts and talents. We will create learning environments that embrace teaching, loves knowledge, and is always in the pursuit of wisdom. Our worship experiences will be purposeful and powerful and we will always conduct ourselves with order, excellence and the highest level of ethics, integrity, and conduct that is representative of the God we serve.
The 5 Pillars of Discipleship
M-E-T-R-O
Meeting Needs
Empowering People
Transformational Teaching
Revitalizing Worship
Order and Excellence
Church History
Metropolitan Baptist Church was organized in 1915 due to a separation of several members of First Baptist Church, Harrison Street. Its original home was an Old Bush Building. The church later relocated to Lee Avenue, then known as Cedar Street. The church remained there and began to grow under the leadership of Rev. Eli Tarte who served faithfully until his death in 1947. Rev. J.L. Keiser was called to be the second pastor and faithfully served until God called him home in 1954. Rev. David A. Goodwyn was then called to pastor Metropolitan Baptist Church. During his tenure, the need for a larger and better facility arose, and the church moved from Cedar Street to a temporary location on St. Matthew Street until the present site was ready for worship. Membership expanded and the need for additional ministries arose.
In 1977 the church conducted its first mortgage burning ceremony with a parade which began at the Bank of Virginia on Franklin and Adam Street to our current location at 1021 Halifax Street. The Mortgage burning ceremony was conducted by Rev. Melvin D. Cutler, then Pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia. Pastor Goodwyn completed his mission and went home to be with his Master. He was the third pastor of this flock.
Pastor Hobbs
Pastor Hobbs is a native of Petersburg, Virginia. Pastor Hobbs is the son of Betty Hobbs Morgan and the late Linwood Robinson and the grandson of the late Laura Hobbs. He was raised by his mother Betty H. Morgan, and his grandmother the late Laura W. Hobbs. In 1993, Pastor Hobbs married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, the former Chanel Yvette Epps, of Petersburg. God has so graciously blessed them with two wonderful and amazing children, Angel & Deja.
Pastor Hobbs has prepared academically by obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Paul’s College, his Master of Business Administration degree from Old Dominion University, and his Master of Divinity degree from Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University.
God has appointed him to build bridges that connects Christ, Church, Community, and Commerce. God has gifted Pastor Hobbs with the ability to minister in a relevant, realistic, and relational manner that meets people where ever they are in life. In times that we live in today, “ministry must make a difference” in the lives of those that we serve.
Lady Chanel
Lady Chanel is a native of Petersburg, Virginia. She is the daughter of the late Lawrence Epps and Rosa Epps. Lady Chanel was educated in the Petersburg school system and furthered her education with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Hampton University and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Lady Chanel currently serves as Assistant Comptroller for the Virginia State Corporation Commission. She is also a member of the Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Lady Chanel has been a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church for most of her life and served in numerous and diverse capacities. Lady Chanel is a humble, encouraging, motivating First Lady who serves with grace and excellence. She has a God persona and a heavenly smile that will brighten any room or any day. Lady Chanel is a huge supporter of the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and has raised over $350K in support of this effort.
Lady Chanel loves family, and especially her two daughters, Angel and Deja. She is an awesome representation of faith, strength, courage, commitment and Christ.