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 in ministry for nearly 29 years and as Pastor of First African for 18 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 strong 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 Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg, and an Executive MBA in Church Administration from Virginia Union University. His academic journey also 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 deeply committed to intergenerational ministry, with a special 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, offering internships and career preparation for students.
Beyond the pulpit, Dr. Waller actively serves the broader community. He is the Director of Faith-Based Initiatives at Virginia Union University, Chair of the Baptist Center of Virginia, formerly known as The Children’s Home of Virginia Baptists, and 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, having been appointed under the mayoral leadership of the Honorable Dr. Dwight C. Jones. Presently Dr. Waller serves as Interim Dean of Chapel at Virginia Union University.
A passionate author, Dr. Waller has written Leadership Empowerment (1st and 2nd Editions), Burning Bright Without Burning Out, and co-authored The History of First African Baptist Church (2023). On April 9, 2026, Dr. Waller was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He believes the church’s purpose is to motivate, inspire, and challenge God’s people to live according to God’s Word.