OUR FAMILY
Our Pastor
REVEREND F. TODD GRAY
MEET OUR LEADER
Rev. F. Todd Gray is a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, the son of Rev. Franklin E. Gray and Mrs. Cheryl A. Hitchens. He is a fourth generation preacher as his father is, and grandfather and great-grandfather were ministers. He served in the U.S. Navy and entered the ministry shortly after his separation.
Rev. Gray is a graduate of Ohio University, and has Master’s degrees from the School of Theology of Virginia Union University and Union Theological Seminary. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Richmond Virginia Seminary. He teaches Church History and Theology at his alma mater, the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University.
Rev. Gray has received numerous honors and awards including selection as National Merit Scholar, the D.C. Rice Theological Scholarship, Union Theological Seminar Graduate Scholarship, the NAACP Community Leadership award, the SLC Leadership Award, as well as being honored with the key to the city and having the mayor proclaim “Rev. F. Todd Gray Day” in his honor on two separate occasions.
Rev. Gray has served in the ministries of the Zion Baptist Church of Chillicothe, Ohio and the First Baptist Church of South Richmond, Virginia. He has served pastorates at the New Hope Baptist Church in Ohio, the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Wicomico Church, Virginia, and the Fifth Street Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. During his tenure he has developed innovative ministries and led each church to significant growth. He has also led each church through major building programs to expand their facilities.
Since Rev. Gray’s arrival, the Fifth Street Baptist community has experienced a great spiritual revival. With his emphasis on celebratory worship and community witness the church has embraced a renewed enthusiasm in our services and a new dedication to diversified ministry. We have actively engaged in community ministry leading such programs as community festivals citizens’ Patrol groups, celebrated the first ever community baptism at Hotchkiss field, mentoring programs and other partnerships with local schools, establishment of the Northside District Community Development Corporation, leadership of the Highland Park Community Revival, development of a full service health clinic, establishment of a Child Development Center and erection of the multi-million dollar GRACE Center (God’s Redemptive and Community Empowerment Center).
Rev. Gray has been the co-chairman of the City’s Commission on African American Males, chairman of the City-wide Men’s Revival, Moderator of the Shiloh Association, Chairman of Virginia Churches of the National Baptist Convention, a member of the Private Industry Council, the Richmond Renaissance Board, the United Way, the board of the Baptist General Convention and many other activities.
He is married to the former Diane Harris and they have three children, Tiffany, Todd, II, and Shawn.