Our Staff
SENIOR PASTOR
DR. WALT COLES was called to preach under the ministry of Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. while a freshman at college. God has used him for 38 years successfully pastoring five churches in North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia, one of which he founded and pastored for eight years. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Good News Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA. Pastor Coles attended Bob Jones University where he received a B.A. degree in 1962, a B.D. degree in 1964. He holds honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Puerto Rico Baptist College (1991) and Bob Jones University (2001).
In addition to years of pastoring, Dr. Coles has taught on the Bible faculties of Indiana Baptist College in Indianapolis and Atlantic Baptist Bible College in Chester, VA. He has served on the Board of Armed Forces Baptist Missions for 19 years and has been Chairman of the Executive Board since 1983. Dr. Coles is associated with several other Christian organizations, such as, the Virginia representative for the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, board member of Gospel Fellowship Association, Ambassador Baptist College, and Baptist Home Missions, and secretary-treasurer for the Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists.
Email: wcoles@goodnewsbaptist.org
ASSISTANT PASTOR
DAVE MROS joined the pastoral staff of Good News Baptist Church in April of 2008. After serving 21 years in the US Army and retiring as a Captain, Dave answered God’s call to full-time Christian work in 1994. He assisted in pastoral duties and studied for the ministry for 5 years at Palmetto Baptist Temple, Columbia SC until God called him and his wife, Kathy into military missions with Baptist International Missions Inc. In 2001 and just days after 911, they arrived in Heidelberg Germany and planted Lighthouse Baptist Church where they had an extensive ministry for 7 years to American servicemen and their families. In 2008 God led them to Good News Baptist Church where Dave serves as the Assistant Pastor in charge of Sunday School, Outreach, and Children’s Ministries. Dave and Kathy are parents to three adult children and 4 grandchildren. Their son, Casey, is a recent Bob Jones University graduate working in Greenville SC as an accountant and their two daughters, Erin, is a Youth Pastor’s wife in Asheboro, NC, and Julie is married to an assistant pastor in Highpoint, NC.
Email: dmros@goodnewsbaptist.org
YOUTH DIRECTOR
MARK TAYLOR joined the United States Coast Guard in 1975. Because of the influence of Christ-centered Coast Guardsmen and the ministry of Good News Baptist Church he came to know Christ in 1981. God opened the door for full-time Christian service in 1987 to minister to teen and military men and women. He has a great desire to see military men and women come to know Christ and to disciple them for the glory of God.
Email: mtaylor@goodnewsbaptist.org
MUSIC PASTOR
KEN HEDRICK, is our most recent addition to the pastoral staff. For the past fifteen years, Ken has ministered in Illinois, Maryland, Georgia, and Virginia primarily in the area of music. He received his B.A. degree in music in 1993 and M.M. degree in music in 1995 from Bob Jones University. He and his wife Jodi have three children. Their names are Kenney age 9, Morgan age 7, and Trent age 4. Ken will be in charge of our music and our young married’s group. Ken has always had a burden for music and people. It is his prayer that God will use Christ honoring music to praise our Savior, draw hearts to God’s Word, and encourage believers in their walk with Him.
Email: khedrick@goodnewsbaptist.org