WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Willard Maxwell, Jr., esteemed spiritual advisor, community liaison, and educator, celebrates his 10th anniversary as senior pastor of New Beech Grove Baptist Church in Newport News in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Willard Maxwell began serving as a spiritual advisor in 2000 when he took a position as chaplain at the former Emory Crawford Long Hospital; after faithfully serving in various roles at churches and educational institutions in Georgia, he joined New Beech Grove Baptist Church in 2011 as its senior pastor; and

WHEREAS, throughout his tenure at New Beech Grove Baptist Church, Willard Maxwell has helped the church expand its congregation by more than 60 percent, increase its funding substantially to support the development of a new seven-acre campus, and enhance its ability to serve the community through various programs and missions; and

WHEREAS, despite the challenges imposed upon churches throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Willard Maxwell's sterling leadership enabled New Beech Grove Baptist Church to continue serving its congregation while thriving financially; and

WHEREAS, in addition to leading New Beech Grove Baptist Church, Willard Maxwell has held prominent positions at several local faith organizations, including board president of the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center and vice moderator of the Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association; and

WHEREAS, Willard Maxwell's dedication to serving others has extended to the wider Newport News community, as he has given generously of his time since 2016 as a city planning commissioner, volunteer police chaplain, and member of the Newport News Police Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Willard Maxwell has demonstrated a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of young people both earlier in his career as an educator in Georgia and currently as an adjunct professor at the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute of Hampton University; and

WHEREAS, Willard Maxwell has continually sought to hone his ability to serve, earning degrees from Georgia Southern University and the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center and most recently a doctor of education degree in educational leadership and administration from Argosy University in 2016; and

WHEREAS, in every aspect of his life, Willard Maxwell exudes a servant's heart and is a source of inspiration, stability, and spiritual guidance to countless members of the Newport News community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Reverend Dr. Willard Maxwell, Jr., hereby be commended on his 10th anniversary as senior pastor of New Beech Grove Baptist Church; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Willard Maxwell, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth.