Dr. Rodney D. Waller is the Senior Pastor of First African Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia, the third oldest African American church in the United States. Having served for nearly 27 years and leading First African for 16 years, Dr. Waller has guided the church through significant growth in membership and ministry. Under his leadership, the church has expanded its impact through passionate worship, purposeful outreach, and a commitment to serving the community.
A gifted preacher, visionary leader, and dedicated teacher, Dr. Waller holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Virginia Union University, a M.Div. from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, D.Min. from Virginia University of Lynchburg, and an Executive MBA in Church Administration from Virginia Union University. His academic journey includes participation in the UK African American Preaching Festival and studies at Oxford University’s Proclaimer’s Place under Dr. Joel Gregory.
Dr. Waller is committed to intergenerational ministry with a focus on engaging youth and young adults while preaching and teaching with clarity and conviction. Under his leadership, training programs were launched in media, technology, and business, which offered internships and career preparation for students.
Beyond the pulpit, Dr. Waller actively serves the broader community. He is the Director Faith-Based Initiatives at Virginia Union University and Chair of the Baptist Center of Virginia formally known as The Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist and he is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has held leadership roles in the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, the Northern Neck Ministers’ Conference, and the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority appointed under Mayoral Leadership The Honorable Dr. Dwight C. Jones. He was recently appointed as Interim Dean of Chapel at Virginia Union University.
A passionate author, Dr. Waller has written Leadership Empowerment, Burning Bright Without Burning Out, and co-authored The History of First African Baptist Church (2023). He believes the church’s purpose is to motivate, inspire, and challenge God’s people to live according to God’s Word.