By Susan Beach
Do you remember what it was like to start a new job? This year, Richmond’s First Baptist Church (FBC) has added several new staff members who are experiencing such a transition. Over the next several months, we’ll tell you more about these new staff members, starting with the three below.
Each one comes to their new position with energy and purpose to serve and love. Some staff names are familiar, and some are new to FBC. Some are new to the area and others grew up right here in Richmond. Read their stories below and get to know how each one views their new mission at FBC.
Emma Tilley, Compassion Ministry Associate since February 2021, has been active in FBC since elementary school. With her parents, Gwen and Charles, and sisters, Virginia and Mae, Emma finds serving God a family activity: “Whether through music, organization, art, or caring for children, we all love using our gifts to serve.”
“I felt called to ministry in middle school as I experienced the love and support of my youth group community. They were there for me during the difficult days of growing up. I knew I wanted to commit my life to doing the same for others.
“I was drawn to serve the church who poured into me, where I was given leadership opportunities and encouragement that prepared me for ministry. FBC financially supported me, encouraged me in ministry and prayed for me when I was sick while in seminary (Duke University Divinity School, M.Div., 2020).
“The compassion ministry is a huge job, so I am grateful to help in the work with Steve Blanchard (Minister of Compassion). I send out newsletters, respond to calls about donations, seek volunteers, and connect people looking for resources or financial assistance with agencies that support their needs. My job includes working in the food pantry, coordinating deliveries from Charlotte Acres and helping organize the plant sale.
“Michael Lacy and I lead the Delta Ministry for 18- to 24-year-olds. Delta symbolizes change; this ministry is for those in a period of change in their lives. During seminary I worked in campus ministry. I love bringing what I learned in that job to the Delta group. It’s been really life-giving during the pandemic to have a place to talk openly about our faith, to laugh and have a good time.
“I am excited to join a team of ministers and staff who are passionate about this church, serving God and loving others. I want to help cultivate an environment of teamwork and collaboration among ministries. My dream is to encourage a spirit of compassion to flow into many different areas of our church and, by strengthening our communications, make more visible the wonderful things God is doing.”
Emma exemplifies the tree planted by the water in Jeremiah 17:7-8, a verse that inspires her.
Michael Lacy, Student Ministry Assistant, grew up in a military family and then served in the Marines, experiences that allowed him to live in Europe and Asia and develop an attitude of openness to all. That openness, a valuable trait in ministry, was built on in his previous position in sales and service. “In that job, I learned how to relate to different people and their personalities. I learned to value the gifts they bring.”
He and his wife, Shawnae, have two biological sons, Darius, 23, and Justin, 17. They adopted siblings, Tia, 5, and Leo, 4, in 2020. “Family is the most important aspect of my life and every new person I meet becomes a part of my family.”
Michael volunteered for many years in the youth ministry. When in 2019 this part-time position became available, “I prayed and talked it over with my family and friends. Thankfully, the hiring team felt I would be good as the assistant to Ann Carter (Minister to Students). Previously the position focused on Youth 1 (for youth in grades 6-8), but she has allowed me to contribute to Youth 2 (for youth in grades 9-12) and to college students through the Delta Ministry. Together we plan curriculum, retreats, missions and other group activities. I feel fulfilled and tired at the same time.
“Under Ann’s guidance I have grown in faith and knowledge and feel I have a clear vision of my purpose in life and at FBC: to deepen my relationship with God and help our youth grow in their relationship with God.
“I am still learning and growing in that relationship. I believe my position here is to walk with our students as we grow in faith together. Yes, I have experience and knowledge. But I believe I still have some things to learn. God is still teaching me and leading me. And sometimes He teaches me through the voices and ideas of the students.
“A special gift from my father-in-law was a Bible with Psalm 119:105 on the cover: ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’ This gift was exactly what I needed at that time in my life and remains my reminder of the One who goes before me. I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now. I am learning about FBC and I have an amazing group of mentors here to help me discern what next step I should take.”
Tim Powitz began as Food Service Director on September 1, following work as a chef for Young Life at Rockbridge Alum Springs and prior to that as a kitchen manager at a Chick-fil-A. He and his wife, Mary Margaret, have a four-year-old daughter, Anna Beth, a five-month-old adopted son, Teddy, and a daughter, Virginia Stuart, born on August 18.
With Tim’s parents, sister and best friend already in the city, Richmond was not a hard choice. Timing was more challenging, but “the Lord softened my heart about vocation, moving on from camp and not putting Him in a box. Richmond also offers more diversity for our family, specifically Teddy who is Black, as well as opportunities to enjoy restaurants, parks and recreation. And we won’t be 45 minutes from the closest Chick-fil-A!
“I know I have some very big shoes to fill and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated. My immediate goals are to stay the course. But for longer term, I want to develop in leadership, streamline some of the systems by utilizing technology, create a fun, welcoming, and spirit-filled environment, and get my hands dirty, particularly with baked goods. I know I’ll be handling everything administrative, including booking and scheduling, menu pricing, ordering, health inspections and safety standards, invoices and billing, scheduling maintenance for any equipment. But I think I’ll go crazy if I don’t get out and cook, bake and serve.
“I’m excited to get to know people, too. I got a small glimpse of the love that Beanie Brooks (former Food Services Director) gave and received from the FBC community, and it’s a beautiful thing that I want to be a part of.
“I love the neighborhood outreach of the church and want to figure out how we can do even more for the city’s needy population. In my last job, I learned to see food service as a ministry, to know and love the people behind the plate, to convey a non-verbal witness that a meal has been lovingly and bountifully prepared for them. Food and community are physical and spiritual needs that we all have in common, and it’s a blessing to be able to provide for both of those. I challenge you to pick a gospel, read through it, and pay attention to the meals and to the events that happen around them.”
FBC has a rare history of superb staff, staff who love us, challenge us, and help us grow. Get to know these wonderful new additions to our staff. Emma, Michael and Tim each have gifts that they are excited to use to keep the FBC history alive.
He came to know Christ at the Fall Creeks Baptist camp in June 1981 while in high school. After graduating in 1984, Dirk went to Southwest College for the Deaf and earned a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. After graduation, he went to work for the Federal Prisons in Texas as a Laboratory Technician.
There is a difference between a deaf minister preaching and a hearing minister preaching with someone signing. A deaf minister preaches with their whole body and, as any communication expert can tell you, body language is central to conveying a message. If you see a deaf minister preach through ASL signing, you get not only the words but the body language and inflection that goes along with the words. It is different from any other kind of preaching, and Dirk invites hearing people to come and experience it for themselves. 
First Things First 