Church History​

 

Kentwood Heights Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist church that was organized in 1983 as Kentwood Heights Baptist Chapel, in Quinton, Virginia, largely through the efforts, leadership, and guidance of Richard Moore, Executive Director of Missions for Dover Association. First Baptist Church of West Point served as a nurturing “Mother Church.” Poplar Springs Baptist Church contributed $50,000 for the acquisition of a 6.1-acre tract of land in New Kent County on Route 249 (New Kent Highway) to plant the new church. For a period of time, the congregation met at the New Kent Middle School and later moved to a vacant restaurant building on Route 60 (Star Motel). The Chapel called Rev. Ed Bullock to serve as interim pastor, and in August 1984 Dr. Jack Altman was called as the Chapel’s first full-time pastor. In 1985, a single-story A-frame building was constructed, with a sanctuary for worship, having a seating capacity of 92, and classrooms for educational ministries with an attendance capacity of 70. In 1989, Rev. Jim Pittman was called as associate pastor and served until 1991. A new two-story educational building was added to the existing building in 1993. The Rev. Dr. Jack Altman retired at the end of 1993. Rev. Charles Gibson served as interim pastor from 1993 to 1996 when the church called Doug Cumbie. Doug Cumbie served as pastor until 2001. Richard Moore became interim pastor in 2001 and served until 2002 when the church called Dave Smith. Dave Smith presently serves as Senior Pastor. Nick Eason presently serves as Associate Pastor of Youth and Children’s Ministries.​​​

​

​

Our Mission and Vision

​

​​Our mission is “Reaching people for a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.”
​
Our vision is to be used by God in helping people to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ – whether that is through the ministries directly related to Kentwood or through our personal sharing of the Gospel. We want to provide tools for every Kentwood believer for the purpose of growing in their personal walk with Christ. We aim to see at least 90% of our active membership participate in a ministry or small group. We envision an ongoing emphasis in the area of children and youth ministry to foster the basics of Christianity during the foundational years, as well as equip parents to be the primary spiritual providers in their kids' lives. We strive to provide excellence in every facet of the worship service, and to equip believers to be worshippers the other six days of the week, and to be involved in missions locally, nationally, and internationally.

​

​

What We Believe 

​

• There is one God, eternally existing in three persons.

• God, out of love for His children, sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise physically from the dead.

• Salvation is a free gift from God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins.  All have sinned, but all can be saved.  This salvation is available for any who put their trust in Christ as Savior.

• Those trusting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized.

• The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ.

• Man was created to exist forever.  He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.  Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.

• The Bible is the inspired and infallible word of God and the final authority in life and doctrine.