On behalf of the entire membership here at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, "Welcome to GSBC!" We are extremely elated that you have chosen to visit our church's website. Ours is a very rich and treasured history and heritage and we would love to have you as a part of us as we make calculated steps in the direction of the vision that God has given us.

You are invited to join us on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. for Morning Worship Service!

We encourage you to look closely at our many ministries. At Good Shepherd, our endeavor is to minister to the "whole person." In that connection, we feel certain that when you check out our "Food for the Soul" menu, you will find that from the youngest child to the eldest among our seniors, there is a place at Good Shepherd for you. We feel certain that, were you to join us, your addition and contributions to one or more of our ministries would greatly enhance what we are trying to do with the help of the Lord.

From its humble beginnings in 1918 until this present time, the Good Shepherd family has been striving to do God's will God's way. In that endeavor, we provide a place where God's Word and truths are taught and practiced. We also make every effort to nurture the needs and aspirations of our members and others in the community. Being faithful to our commitments as Christians, we respond to the call of God in the observation of all rites of the Church and we earnestly seek to model our lives after the life of Christ. In an ever-changing society inside and outside the church, we demonstrate God's love in our lives through our commitment to service, the giving of tithes, and the use of our talents. As we take the lead in being God's examples in the world, we accept responsibility for our actions by upholding and maintaining ethical and religious standards.

We embrace wholeheartedly our theme as a church family: God's People Moving from Vision to Victory. We earnestly feel that God has truly blessed us with many victories along the way, but there is much more in store for us as we continue to listen to the voice of God and follow His guidance. I feel that God's vision for us here at GSBC includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • A Family Life Center
  • A Credit Union
  • A Daycare Service for children and adults
  • A 24-hour counseling service
  • Senior housing/assisted living facilities
  • A safe haven for domestic abuse/violence victims


Our earnest desire is to be a beacon light in a dark world, leading men, women, boys and girls to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us in our efforts to accomplish this daunting, but vitally necessary task. We are, and shall remain, "God's People Moving from Vision to Victory." To God be the glory!


Good Shepherd Baptist Church had its beginnings in 1918 when a small group of persons separated from Thirty-first Street Baptist Church to form their own church at the corner of 32nd and O Streets. The church quickly out grew that facility and in 1945 purchased the site at 1200 North 28th Street. In 1982 the congregation moved into its current facility.



A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on Sunday, May 23, 2004 as Phase 1 of our expansion project began which included the installation of an elevator, administrative offices, additional classrooms, a chapel and a new music/fellowship hall. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Dedication Service were held on Homecoming Sunday, September 24, 2006 marking the completion of Phase 1.



Good Shepherd is affiliated with the Tuckahoe Baptist Association, Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, Baptist General Convention of Virginia and the American Baptist Churches, USA. Our pastors from 1918 to 1992 have been the Reverend Robert C. Williams, the Reverend Andrew D. Smith, The Reverend Dr. Paul Nichols and the Reverend Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr. The Reverend Dr. Sylvester Thomas Smith was installed as our fifth pastor on June 5, 1994.

In addition to the traditional ministries, various ministries have been instituted: the Scholarship Program which provides scholarship money to members who are seeking their first undergraduate degree; Youth Bible Study and Men's Bible Study; a Golden Age Program allows the church members to show their appreciation to members who are 70 years of age and older; an Aerobics Class for adults and a Summer Day Camp for children. The community is also served through Church-sponsored Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Programs. The Senior Center Program operates each week day to give older persons in the church and community a safe place to fellowship and participate in exciting activities.

We believe the ministry here is fruitful and many lives have been changed through the power of God. Throughout our journey, we have remained a faithful people, magnifying the Lord and exalting His name. We give honor and thanks to God for His grace and mercy.




The Reverend Dr. Sylvester T. Smith is a native of the state of Florida. He is the second of thirteen children born to Willie and Margaret Smith. Dr. Smith received his primary and secondary education in the public schools of Monticello and Dade City, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In 1981 Reverend Smith was graduated summa cum laude from the School of Theology of Virginia Union University as he earned his Master of Divinity Degree. On December 19, 2002, Dr. Smith completed the requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Christian Social Ethics at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Smith has given pastoral leadership to the following churches in Virginia: six and one-half years at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cumberland; three and one-half years at the Calvary Baptist Church in Prince Edward; and eight years at the Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Richmond. He is presently the honored Pastor of Good Shepherd Baptist Church family in Richmond.

Aside from his responsibilities as Pastor of Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Dr. Smith is Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the Virginia Union University and Assistant Professor of Ethics at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. He serves as a board member of the American Cancer Society, the Better Housing Coalition, and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia which consists of over 1100 Baptist churches throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Smith also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Foundation Board of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia.

Dr. Smith is a member of several religious, social, fraternal, and civic organizations. They include: East End Ministers Fellowship; the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Boaz Masonic Lodge #212 in Daytona Beach, Florida; and a Life member of the NAACP.



Dr. Smith is married to the former Ruby P. Browne, a retired mathematics teacher. Dr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed of God with one daughter, Monica Lynn. Monica and her husband, Gerald Carter, are the parents of four daughters: twins, Storm and Cori; Nyema and Neambi and one son, Gerald.

Dr. Smith is a gospel preacher, a friend to all, and, most importantly, a child of God.


Directions to Good Shepherd Baptist Church
1127 North 28th Street Richmond, VA 23223-6624 Map it
(804) 644-1402


From I-64 West: Take I-64 East to the Nine Mile Road West exit. At the end of the exit ramp make a right turn onto Nine Mile Road. Keep Nine Mile Road to 29th Street and make a left. Keep 29th Street to R Street, make a right. You will see the church on your left.

From I-95 North: Take I-95 South to I-64 East. Take I-64 East to the Nine Mile Road West exit. At the end of the exit ramp make a right turn onto Nine Mile Road. Keep Nine Mile Road to 29th Street and make a left. Keep 29th Street to R Street, make a right. You will see the church on your left.

From I-95 South: Take I 95 North to I-64 East. Take I-64 East to the Nine Mile Road West exit. At the end of the exit ramp make a right turn onto Nine Mile Road. Keep Nine Mile Road to 29th Street and make a left. Keep 29th Street to R Street, make a right. You will see the church on your left.

From I-64 East: Take I-64 West to the Nine Mile Road West exit. Keep Nine Mile Road to 29th Street, make a left. Keep 29th Street to R Street, make a right. You will see the church on your left.

Map it


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Key Events
  • Mar 29 2020 - All Church Activities Suspended Due to CoronaVirus - See "Message from Pastor Smith" in announcements Map


  • March 2020 Newsletter - Download Here

  • A Message from Pastor Smith
    Join us for In-person worship service at 11:00 am each Sunday! Live-stream worship services will continue each Sunday on YouTube (Good Shepherd Baptist Church RVA).

    As a people of faith, we trust God to guide and protect us in the difficult days that lie ahead of us. Let us continue to be vigilant in our efforts to be safe.

  • E-GIVING IS AVAILABLE!
    Text GSBCRVA and the $ amount to 73256
    or visit
    https://abundant.co/gsbcrva to schedule a donation.

  • All members are reminded to call the church office to notify the church of a death in their family, hospitalization or changes to their sick-list posting.

  • GSBC is part of the Kroger Community Rewards program. We can earn points towards monetary donations from Kroger Grocery Stores based on our shopping as a congregation. The more we shop, the more points we earn. Points can be earned on all purchases with the exception of alcohol, tobacco products and gas. Link your Kroger Rewards account to the GSBC account!


    • May 2024 - Standing in the Faith

    **Denotes Church School Lesson

    1. Acts 3:12-26Repent and Turn to God
    2. John 3:1-8, 13-17God So Loved the World
    3. Psalm 5Lord, Lead Me In Your Righteousness
    4. 1 John 1:1-2:2Christ, Our Atoning Sacrifice
    **Romans 3:21-30Justified by Faith
    5. Romans 3:21-30Atonement by Christ’s Blood
    6. Matthew 20:1-16God Is Generous to the Unworthy
    7. Genesis 13:14-18A Great and Blessed Nation
    8. Genesis 15:1-6A Promise of Countless Heirs
    9. 1 John 2:12-17Your Sins are Forgiven
    10. Psalm 32God’s Abundant Forgiveness
    11. Romans 4:1-12Trust God Who Justified the Ungodly
    **Romans 4:13-25Counted as Righteous
    12. Romans 4:13-25Our Justification, Christ’s Resurrection
    13. Isaiah 26:1-11Trusting in God Brings Perfect Peace
    14. Isaiah 40:1-11Good News of the Coming Lord
    15. Acts 2:1-4, 14 16-24,36God’s Spirit Poured Out
    16. Acts 2:37-47The Firstfruits of Reconciliation
    17. Genesis 33:1-15Brothers Reconciled
    18. Psalm 29May God Bless Us with Peace
    **Romans 5:1-11Reconciled to God
    19. Romans 5:1-11Peace with God Through Jesus Christ
    20. Joel 2:28-32Call on God and Be Saved
    21. Romans 9:14-16, 25-33Striving on the Basis of Faith
    22. Romans 11:1-4, 17-27All Israel Will Be Saved
    23. Deuteronomy 30:11-20God’s Word Is Very Near
    24. Mark 5:35-43Do Not Fear, Only Believe
    25. Isaiah 52A Beautiful Announcement
    **Romans 10:1-17Who Has Believed?
    26. Romans 10:1-17Confession and Belief Lead to Salvation
    27. Isaiah 43:8-13God’s Witness
    28. Psalm 113Praise the Lord!
    29. Galatians3:19-29God’s Children Through Faith
    30. Proverbs 10:19-25The Lord’s Blessing Makes Rich
    31. Matthew 6:19-24Your Treasure Is with Your Heart



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