Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Sylvia K. Tucker was born in Melbourne, Florida to the late Mr. Sylvester Kelsey and Mrs. Wilhelmina Scott Kelsey. She is married to Raymond R. Tucker, Sr. and they are the parents of four children: Shelia Tucker Flowers (Matthew), Racine Tucker Hamilton (Mark, Raymond R. Tucker, Jr. (Angela) and Sylvester Royce Tucker (Emily) and the grandparents of six and a very special brother, Jerome Kelsey.

Rev. Tucker has a Doctor of Theology (2010) – A.P. Clay Christian Theological College – Kenner, Louisiana; Master’s Degree in Christian Education (2007) – Rovear Christian University – Richmond, Virginia; Graduate Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care & Advance Counseling (1997) Richmond, Virginia; Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries (1997) – Bible College & Seminary – New Orleans, Louisiana; Honorary Doctorate Degree (1989) Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg, Virginia A.A. Degree in Christian Ministries (1986) – Virginia University & Seminary College Evans Smith Program (1991) Matriculated at St. Leo College – Fort Lee, Virginia Completed Women in Credit and Business – John Tyler Community College A.A. Degree (1970) – Parish Draughon Business College – San Antonio, Texas Graduated Stone High School – Melbourne, Florida

Rev. Tucker has held positions as: Financial Advisor at John Randolph Medical Center, and was given the opportunity to pursue her ministry full time appointment as Chaplain of John Randolph. With this position she made history as the First Female African-American Hospital Chaplain in the State of Virginia.

In 1994, she was ordained and licensed as a Baptist minister. In 1995 to present, she became the Director of Pastoral Care and Chaplain for HCA John Randolph Medical Center, making history, again, as the First African American women to be hired for this position at John Randolph Medical Center.

Rev. Tucker has served as keynote speaker and has received many awards to name a few; Appointed the SCLC National Chaplain and was the first lady to hold this position. Was award the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award for Religious Affairs presented by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Prince George Chapter of the South Christian Leadership Conference’s Civil Rights Award; received the Rosa Parks award from the National Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Jacksonville, Florida; the First African American female chaplain to be inducted into the History Makers and also noted to be in the Religious Makers; also inducted into the permanent part of the History Makers Collection at the Library of Congress; and Second Keynote Award was the First Female Associate Minister and the First (and only) SCLC National Chairlady Emeritus to pastor a church (Loving Union Baptist Church, Disputanta, Virginia). She has recently received the 2017 Meritorious Service Award of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association at their 2017 Spring Conference.

The Rev. Dr. Sylvia Tucker was installed as Pastor of Loving Union Baptist Church, Disputanta, Virginia on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

To God be the glory, great things He has done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.