History

Founded in 1884, the Eastern Shore of Virginia & Maryland Baptist Association (originally the Northampton Baptist Association) began with churches from Northampton and Accomack counties. As Maryland congregations like Macedonia Baptist (Pocomoke City) joined, the name was changed to reflect its expanding regional scope.

From the beginning, the Association emphasized missionary work, education, and unity. In the early 1900s, it supported the Tidewater Institute, the only high school for African Americans on the Eastern Shore at the time. After its closure, the Association shifted its support to Virginia Union University and Virginia Seminary and College (now Virginia University of Lynchburg).

The Association has long embraced structure and collaboration, forming Allied Bodies like the Young People’s Convention and Sunday School Convention, which eventually merged into a unified four-day Annual Session still practiced today.

Past Leadership Highlights

• Rev. Leonard Treherne served as the first Moderator, followed by respected pastors such as Rev. Charles Morton, Rev. D.J. Black, and Rev. M.T. Boone.

• Rev. Dennis Haughton became the fifth Moderator; during his tenure, Rev. Boone earned the first Doctor of Divinity awarded to an Eastern Shore pastor.

• Subsequent Moderators like Rev. J.M. Douglas, Rev. R.W. Wilson, and many others helped implement worship practices such as Communion during Annual Sessions and expanded the Association’s influence and vision.

• In 2006, land was acquired under Rev. Thomas Dickerson to build a permanent space for Sessions and workshops.

• Under Rev. Jeffery Smith, churches were encouraged to grow into 21st-century ministry with the theme Be Intentional. Be the C.H.U.R.C.H.

• Rev. Dr. Charles Kellam focused on spiritual renewal with Back to Biblical Basics, while Rev. Milton Bunting navigated the Association through the COVID-19 pandemic, embracing virtual ministry and resuming in-person sessions by 2022.

• Under the leadership of Rev. Calvin L. Washington, Sr., the Association continues to build on a legacy of faith, unity, and purpose as it equips churches for impactful and relevant ministry in today’s world.

• We have made history by electing Rev. Brenda J. Peterson as the first woman to serve as Moderator in our Association’s 142-year history.

Our Mission

Our mission is to cultivate a missionary conviction in the hearts of all members of our constituent churches by empowering Christian men, women, and youth (children) for kingdom-building.

Purpose & Goals

Ministry of Men & Women

Purpose: To stimulate the zeal and activity of all men/women who are members of the churches in our Association to a more thorough consecration of their time, talent, and treasure to the glory of God.

• To provide fellowship and specialized training for men/women to increase their awareness of and participation in ministry as deacons, Trustees, Choir Members, Ushers, Missionaries, etc.

• To develop ministry of men/women fellowships that will help to strengthen the churches and its leadership in the fulfillment of its Christian witness.
  

Goals: The objective of these ministries is to increase the Association wide participation of all churches.

• The order of worship during the Annual Session of the Eastern Shore Virginia-Maryland Baptist Association’s Ministry of Men, will be men only, inclusive of the choir and ushers.

• The order of worship during the Annual Session of the Eastern Shore Virginia-Maryland Baptist Association’s Ministry of Women, will be women only, inclusive of the choir and ushers.

Ministry of Youth

Purpose: To help youth become aware of their place and purpose in kingdom building.

• To bring more youth into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

• To instill in the youth, a greater commitment & responsibility in kingdom building.

• To provide fellowship events and specialized training for all youth.tness.
  

Goals: To help the youth realize their full potentials, encourage them to have greater aspirations, develop their abilities, and be creative and bold in ministry.

• To prepare our youth to address the issues of this world as responsible Christians.

• The order of worship during the Annual Session of the Eastern Shore Virginia-Maryland Baptist Association’s Ministry of Youth will be youth only, inclusive of the choir and ushers.

Official Family

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Ministry Presidents

Sylvia Harmon - Women's Ministry
Pastor Willie Justis - Men's Ministry
Ivyanna Bundick - Youth Ministry
Rosemary Vinnie - Sunday School/Christian Education

Leadership Staff

Minister Wisteria Robinson - Corresponding Secretary
Deacon Susie Cooper - Recording Secretary
Debra Weatherley - Treasurer
Pastor Wilbert Adams - Joshua Academy
Dominick White - Music Coordinator

Moderators

Pastor Brenda Peterson - Moderator
Dr. Harvey Davis - 1st Vice Moderator
Dr. Lisa Johnson - 2nd Vice Moderator

Youth Advisory Team

Michelle Bailey
Alexis Crippen
Barbara Miles
Danielle Strand
Conchata Webb

Board of Trustees

Veronica Byrd
Colby West