Dr. Robert A. Whitehead, Sr., Pastor
Dr. Robert Ashley Whitehead, Sr. retired as pastor of New Zion Baptist on December 31, 2025, after over 34 ½ years of service. He is the third of seven children born to the late James W. Whitehead, Sr. and the late Geraldine J. Whitehead of Portsmouth, Virginia. He has been married to Dr. Jocelyn Henry-Whitehead for over forty-five years. They have two sons, Bobby, and Matthew, and two daughters-in-law, Monica and Gabrielle (Gabbi). They are the proud grandparents of two grandsons, Robbie, and Noah, and two granddaughters, Maliyah, and Zai.
During Dr. Whitehead’s tenure at New Zion, the church increased its emphasis not only on spiritual matters but also on community involvement, education, mentoring, health issues, and stewardship.
Pastor Whitehead was educated in the public school district of Portsmouth, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He has taken additional courses in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond. Pastor Whitehead completed his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with an emphasis on Leadership and Renewal.
Dr. Whitehead is a member of the Williamsburg Tri-County Pastor’s Council, and the African American Fellowship (AAFVA) of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. He is a board member of the Williamsburg Health Foundation and the EverBless Foundation. He is a past board member of the Williamsburg Aids Network, which was eventually renamed, A Hope 4 Tomorrow, Inc., a past board member of Faith in Action, and a past board member of Housing Partnerships of Williamsburg. He has served on the Pastoral Advisory Council at Sentara Regional Medical Center in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was a volunteer chaplain at that facility. Pastor Whitehead is a life member of the York-James City-Williamsburg Branch of the NAACP, and he is a member of Beta Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Whitehead was an advocate for education and assisted with working with individuals, groups, and schools for a better community. He has taught classes and facilitated workshops for congregations in leadership, stewardship, and building programs. He mentors seminary students and pastors.
Prior to Dr. Whitehead serving as full-time pastor of New Zion, he was bi-vocational and employed in the Accounting and Finance Department with the former Circuit City Stores, Inc. at its corporate offices in Richmond, Virginia. He was employed there for over fourteen years and was a part of their management and leadership team.