 Senior Pastor Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple 3100 Butternut Drive Hampton VA 23666
President and Co-Founder of Six House, Inc.
Rev. Jerome A. Barber is the Senior Pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple a strong growing congregation in Hampton, Virginia and he is the Executive Director, President and Co-Founder of Six House, Inc., a faith based community organization. He is the fourth child born to Elder William H. and the late Norma L. Barber. The Washington, DC native completed his secondary education in the Maryland Public Schools. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Hampton Institute (Hampton VA) in 1981, graduating with high honors as a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. He achieved the rank of Captain before leaving the Army in 1986. His life motto is "Life does not present us problems, only opportunities to excel." Excelling is a trademark of Rev. Barber's life.
Sparked by the death of his mother in 1993, he established Ark Builders, Inc., a nationwide community enlistment initiative designed to raise the quality of life by actively involving young people in their communities. While working for the Newport News Public Schools as a Science Resource Teacher, Rev. Barber won the distinction of being selected Teacher of the Year in 1993 and 1996. Other notable honors included: 1998 Outstanding Young Man in America, and he is listed in the 2000-2001 edition of the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals as an Honored Professional. He received the 2000 Role Model of the Year award from the 100 Black Men of America, Virginia Peninsula Chapter. He was conferred as a Doctor of Divinity by the Eastern Theological Seminary during its 2001 commencement ceremony. He was recognized by Hampton University as the 2001 Twenty Year Most Outstanding Alumnus.
During his pastorate (1997 - Present), Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple has grown from a membership of 300 to more than 5,000 which can be considered now a "Mega Church." He is instrumental in establishing ministries in this local assembly that meet the needs of the community and the church at large. Rev. Barber has a special passion for education and those who have chosen education as their career field. His yearly recognition of educators has evolved into a bi-annual gathering of what he has coined, "Educarers", a ministry established to bring attention to the need of stressing the caring and compassionate aspect of the teaching profession.
Since July 2000, he has been involved in mobilizing the 5000 member congregation of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple to take the gospel to the ends of the world. In addition, he has mobilized teams from the United States of pastors, medical professionals, educators and youth to conduct revivals, crusades, bible seminars, youth and women's conferences, training workshops, and medical clinics throughout the Nairobi area of Kenya, West Africa and in Salvador, Brazil.
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 Pastor Ivy Baptist Church 50 Maple Avenue Newport News VA 23607
Vice-President and Co-Founder of Six House, Inc.
Rev. Kevin G. Swann is the Pastor of Ivy Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia. Rev. Swann is the only child of Frank A. and Mildred S. Swann. He is a native of Hampton, Virginia and a graduate of Hampton High School in 1989. Where he received the distinguished "Most Outstanding Senior Award," an award given to only one senior and voted upon by students and faculty. After graduating from high school, Rev. Swann completed his college education at Old Dominion University with both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Counseling (1993 and 1995 respectively). As a student-athlete at Old Dominion, Rev. Swann was the recipient of the A. Rufus Tonelson award, which recognizes a student-athlete for outstanding academic and athletic achievement. In addition, Rev. Swann was named to the Colonial Athletic Association all Academic Team in 1994. Currently, Rev. Swann is enrolled in South Florida Theological Seminary, where he is completing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Religious Education.
Despite having "worldly" success through sports (basketball) and other ventures, Rev. Swann still felt a deep void in his life. On July 5, 1993 , Rev. Swann truly dedicated his heart and soul to Jesus Christ. After graduating from college, Rev. Swann returned to Hampton to live and joined Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton . In 1996, after several discussions with his Pastor (Rev. Jerome A. Barber) and undeniable confirmations, Rev. Swann accepted his calling into ministry. On June 27, 1997 , Rev. Swann preached his initial sermon from John 14:1-6, and afterwards 17 people gave their hearts to the Lord. In 1999, Rev. Swann was ordained into ministry at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple and in January of 2000, became the Assistant Pastor of the church, where he faithfully served until February of 2006. Rev. Swann lives by the saying, "If we want to get to know Christ in a better way, we must move from religion to relationship with Him. Everything we seek and want in a meaningful relationship with others, the Lord wants from us as well." On May 3, 1997 , Rev. Swann married Tatrece Dunlap Swann and they now have a daughter, Kameron Gabrielle Swann, born December 4, 2000 , and a son Cole Alexander Swann, born January 1, 2004.
Rev. Swann has a passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and a heart for God's people. His enthusiasm for the Lord is evident in his preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Presently, Rev. Swann is the host of a weekly radio show called, "The Pastor's Study" which airs every Monday at 11:00 AM on WHOV 88.1 FM. The show is designed to invite Pastors to share their experiences and offer biblical solutions to problems that affect our communities. Rev. Swann enjoys laughing and sharing humorous times with others, because "laughter is good for the soul and can easily lift our spirits."
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