Senior Pastor
Dr. Jim Somerville is the Senior Pastor of Richmond’s First Baptist Church. He believes that if we look around us for anything that doesn’t look like heaven, and then roll up our sleeves and get to work, we can actually bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond, Virginia. You’ll find Jim in the pulpit on Sunday morning, and in the fellowship hall on Wednesday nights, but at other times you may find him roaming the hallways or out in the city looking for ways to connect. He is always grateful for this large, loving congregation where everyone is made to feel welcome.
Jim and his wife Christy have two adult daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Richmond. Jim has deep roots in Virginia, going back six generations in Culpeper County. He is a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy, Georgetown College (Kentucky), and Southern Seminary. Before coming to Richmond he was Pastor of First Baptist Church, Washington, DC. Jim loves the outdoors, and on his day off you may find him hiking the Buttermilk Trail or sailing on the Rappahannock River. When he was growing up, his five brothers sometimes thought of him as “the funny one.” Sometimes he still is.
See Jim’s Blog.
