SBC

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 700

Meet Great Bridge Baptist Church

Great Bridge Baptist Church (GBBC), located in Chesapeake, Virginia, is a vibrant Southern Baptist congregation committed to creating a welcoming space where people can meet Jesus, engage in life-giving community, and everyone is welcome. With regular gatherings on Sundays—Life Groups at 9 AM followed by worship at 10:30 AM—along with weekly studies, music rehearsals, and youth programs, GBBC fosters discipleship across all age groups. The goal of these ministries is to grow together in our relationships with God, each other, and our world.

Beyond worship services, GBBC is deeply invested in both local and global missions. They directly serve their local community through a food pantry ministry (Cupboards for Christ) and their #FORChesapeake Food Trailer. Additionally, they support local ministries such as: Chesapeake Area Shelter Team (CAST), the Great Bridge/Hickory YMCA, the Crisis Pregnancy Center, and local schools. They invest their global mission efforts in backing But God Ministries in Haiti and supporting the Noble family in Uganda through the IMB as their sending church.

The church also hosts popular community events—such as their annual VBS and VBX programs, Fall Festival, the Community Christmas Celebration, and the Faith & Freedom patriotic concert —designed to engage families and the broader Chesapeake community. GBBC not only nurtures spiritual growth but also serves as a hub for community gatherings, seasonal activities, and life-stage ministries.

About the Senior Pastor

Great Bridge Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a Senior Pastor who is a gifted preacher, strong leader, and humble shepherd. With a legacy dating back to 1957 and a congregation committed to multigenerational ministry, worship, and local and global missions, GBBC is poised for its next season of Spirit-led growth. The new Senior Pastor will provide theological leadership, visionary direction, and relational care to a diverse and growing body of believers.

The Senior Pastor must be a deeply committed follower of Jesus Christ, demonstrating a clear and compelling personal testimony of salvation, spiritual transformation, and a divine calling to pastoral ministry. This individual should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in all areas of life and leadership and maintain a lifestyle that is above reproach in both personal and public conduct.

We are seeking a humble, authentic shepherd who leads not from position but through relational influence, integrity, and servant-hearted example. The ideal candidate will value people over platform, and character over charisma—one who listens well, communicates with grace and truth, and leads by loving well. A consistent practice of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, accountability, and Sabbath rest, is expected, along with a demonstrated commitment to family health and balanced rhythms of life and ministry.

The Senior Pastor's responsibilities include:

Preaching & Worship Leadership

• Serve as the primary preacher (40–45 Sundays/year), delivering biblically faithful, gospel-centered, and engaging sermons.
• Emphasize preaching in a relatable, creative, and Christ-focused style.
• Partner with the Worship Pastor to plan and shape weekly services, with a visible presence on Sundays.

Vision Casting & Strategic Leadership

• Develop and communicate a compelling, unified vision for the church’s future that aligns with GBBC’s mission: Loving God, Sharing Jesus, Serving Others.
• Shepherd the church through future growth opportunities, including potential multisite expansion and ministry integration.
• Address competing ministry philosophies with clarity, unity, and grace.

Pastoral Care & Staff Development

• Provide pastoral oversight and encouragement to ministerial staff, building unity, clarity, and healthy rhythms across departments.
• Maintain an open-door presence and engage meaningfully with staff, volunteers, and members.
• Collaborate with the Executive Pastor and leadership team to ensure a cohesive ministry strategy.

Discipleship & Outreach

• Champion GBBC’s bridge-building mission to God, neighbors, and the world through life groups, missions, and community engagement.
• Equip the church to reach the unchurched, serve the hurting, and disciple all generations, especially young families and emerging adults.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Senior Pastor:

Spiritual & Personal

• A clear testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ and a calling to pastoral ministry.
• A humble, authentic, relational leader with high character and deep love for the local church.
• Models personal spiritual disciplines and family health.
• Relationally warm, extroverted, and people-oriented

Professional & Educational

• Minimum 10–15 years of ministry experience, including 3–5 years as a Senior Pastor.
• Proven leadership in a church of 500+ with staff management experience.
• Master’s degree in theology or divinity required (MDiv or equivalent). DMin strongly preferred.
• Theological alignment with the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).

Doctrinal & Cultural Fit

• Theologically centered, gospel-driven, not politically partisan.
• Complementarian in leadership and pastoral roles.
• Able to preach to believers, skeptics, and seekers with clarity and compassion.

What it's like to live in Chesapeake, VA

Chesapeake, Virginia, offers a unique blend of suburban comfort, natural beauty, and family-friendly living, making it an ideal place to call home. As one of the largest cities by land area in the United States, Chesapeake provides a spacious, peaceful environment while still offering access to the cultural and economic opportunities of nearby cities like Norfolk and Virginia Beach. With a strong sense of community, excellent public schools, and low crime rates, it’s particularly appealing to families and retirees looking for safety and stability in a welcoming atmosphere.

One of Chesapeake’s greatest draws is its natural environment. The city is home to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, numerous parks, rivers, and protected wetlands, offering countless opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, kayaking, and bird-watching. Residents can enjoy the best of all worlds—proximity to the beach, access to the Intracoastal Waterway, and a temperate climate that makes year-round outdoor activities possible. For those who love nature without sacrificing urban convenience, Chesapeake strikes a near-perfect balance.

Economically, Chesapeake is a growing city with a diverse job market and strong infrastructure. It hosts major employers in defense, health care, and technology sectors, and its location along key transportation corridors like I-64 and U.S. Route 17 makes it a strategic hub for commerce and commuting. The city also benefits from Virginia’s favorable business climate and low property taxes. Combined with a wide variety of housing options—from modern developments to rural estates—Chesapeake offers long-term value for homeowners and investors alike.