Who We Are

Saint Paul’s Community Foundation was formed in response to Pastor Lance Watson’s desire to put into place a sound financial structure that would be capable of sustaining the mission, ministry and operations of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church and its affiliates for future generations and to provide funding for worthy causes in the greater Richmond community.

The church has grown exponentially over the past twenty years from a congregation of about 200 persons to well over 6,000 people attending multiple services each weekend. Annually, the church gives thousands of dollars to people in need. This financial support ranges from providing monetary assistance to meet basic needs to giving book bags and school supplies to children in the community to assisting those impacted by natural disasters.

The church’s charitable efforts extend even further through the work of its affiliates: Charisma Books & Gifts, Destiny Center for the Performing Arts, Destiny Child Development Center, Destiny Christian Academy, Nia, Inc. of Greater Richmond and Positive Power Media. Nia is the church’s community development corporation (CDC) and takes a holistic approach to community development. With the exception of the Performing Arts Center and the Credit Union, all of the affiliates are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. The Performing Arts Center will be applying for that status soon.

In addition, the church has partnered with other nonprofits within the community and the local school divisions to provide services such as GED and Spanish classes, medical and dental screenings, homeless intake, food pantry and clothing closet

Our Philosophy

We support the church’s mission to empower people to grow in every aspect of their lives into the persons that God created them to be. We believe that making a positive difference in the lives of people makes communities stronger.

Our Mission

The mission of the Foundation is to provide durable support for the ministries and programs of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church and its affiliates and to fund other nonprofits within the community that support the church’s mission.

2008 Board of Directors

Kevin L. Fox, Chairman

Carolyn Robinson, Vice Chairman

Cassandra Boyd Willis, President - Scholarship Committee

Yvonne Knight, M.D.

Daniel Bryan

Carl Woodson

Officers

Patrice R. Stokes, President
Chief Operating Officer, The Saint Paul's Baptist Church