[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 122 (Wednesday, July 16, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BISHOP DWIGHT S. RIDDICK, SR. ON HIS 40TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY 
                      AT GETHSEMANE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor Bishop Dwight S. Riddick, Sr., Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist 
Church in Newport News, Virginia. This year marks the 40th anniversary 
of Dr. Riddick's dedicated service to Gethsemane Baptist Church and to 
the people of Hampton Roads and beyond. I would like to take this 
opportunity to highlight just a few of his many accomplishments.
  Dr. Riddick is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, and a proud graduate 
of Norfolk State University. In 1991, he earned a Master of Divinity 
degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia 
Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He went on to receive a Doctor 
of Ministry degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia 
in 2005 and earned a second doctorate from the Chicago Theological 
Seminary in 2016. Most recently, he completed the 2024 Collaboration 
Track of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
  In 1985, Bishop Riddick was called to lead what was then Gethsemane 
Baptist Mission, now Gethsemane Baptist Church, after six years as 
pastor of First Baptist Church of Dendron, Virginia. After just two 
years of his leadership at Gethsemane, the church constructed a 20,000-
square-foot worship and education center. In 2011, as the congregation 
continued to grow, Bishop Riddick led the construction of a second 
building, which became Gethsemane Baptist Church at The Transformation 
Place.
  As Pastor, Dr. Riddick has cultivated an active and thriving 
congregation that has grown to more than 2,000 members. Under his 
leadership, numerous community outreach programs and ministries have 
been established. His influence and service extend beyond his church; 
he has held several leadership positions, including serving as the 40th 
President of Hampton University's Minister's Conference, President of 
the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, and a member of the Board 
of Trustees at Virginia Union University. In 2012, he was honored with 
the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award.
  Bishop Riddick is also the founder of F.L.A.M.E., Inc. (Fostering 
Leadership and Ministry Excellence), a faith-based organization that 
provides support, training, and accountability for senior pastors 
across denominational lines. In September 2019, F.L.A.M.E., Inc. 
unanimously elected Dr. Riddick to the Office of Bishop, an elevation 
he accepted with humility and reverence. He was consecrated as the 
Presiding Prelate on November 13, 2021.
  To date, Bishop Riddick has licensed over 100 ministers. and nearly 
40 have become pastors, chaplains and full-time professional ministers. 
Beyond his work at Gethsemane Baptist Church, he currently serves as 
Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Peninsula C.A.R.E.S. 
Foundation, Inc.
  On the occasion of his 40th pastoral anniversary, it is my great 
honor to recognize and commend Bishop Dwight S. Riddick, Sr. for his 
unwavering service, exceptional leadership, and tireless dedication to 
the parishioners of Gethsemane Baptist Church, the people of Hampton 
Roads, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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