Pastoral Staff

Take a moment to get to know your leadership!

  • Dr. Robert Rowland

    Lead Pastor

    I was born in Dinwiddie back in 1967. I left the county in 1985 to attend VA. Tech, but mostly in pursuit of a girl, Johanna Nelson, who became my wife 36 years ago.  God has blessed us with four awesome kids who all love and serve the Lord - two of whom serve as our church planters at Capital City Church in Richmond, Va. along with their wives and our third son and his wife. Our daughter Laura attends Liberty Univ currently.  I eventually earned my Bachelor's Degree in psychology from VCU, and then a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Johanna, the kids, and I served as missionaries to India for two years where the Lord taught us so much about blessings, priorities, and sacrifice. It is my humble desire to see others truly know the Lord. I remain convinced that if others can see Jesus for who He really is, there is a great chance that they will love Him, too. It is the mandate of the local church to represent, reflect, and reveal Jesus to our community, state, nation, and the world.

    Contact: rrowland@smyrna1897.org 


  • Aaron Bobo

    Pastor of Education and Discipleship

    I was born and raised in Fayetteville, GA. After high school, I was blessed to attend Columbus State University in Columbus, GA, where I received my undergrad degree in Communication. Columbus State is where I met my wife of 15 years, Ashley. We have three beautiful girls, Analeigh, Alizabeth, and Allison. In addition to an undergrad degree, I currently hold a Masters of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Liberty University. My desire is to adequately equip and build up the local church with the truth of the Gospel by thoroughly teaching the Word of God. In addition to spending time with my family and ministering to the local church, I enjoy reading anything I can get my hands on and watching sports, particularly the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs!

    Contact: abobo@smyrna1897.org

  • daniel watson

    pastoral resident

    I was born in Maryland in 1985. I grew up in a military family, along with my twin sister and older brother. During my childhood, my dad was in the Air Force. This gave me the opportunity to live in Maine, Washington and now Virginia, where I have spent the majority of my life. I was also blessed to have been raised in a Christian home by my parents. Church life was very important to my family and was instilled in me from an incredibly early age. I graduated from Park View High School in 2003. In 2005, I earned my Associate’s Degree from Southside Virginia Community College. Fast forward some years to where God providentially, and graciously, brought the love of my life to me, my wife Tabitha. We were married in 2019. Not long after this God led us to Smyrna Baptist Church. Smyrna quickly became the church home we had been praying for. Even though we have only been here a few years, God has provided opportunities for us to grow in this church family. The sermons, classes and fellowship opportunities have enhanced our walk with Christ. This new stage of ministry training is an answer to prayer. I am eager to learn as God uses my pastors and church family to equip me for the next stage of the journey that He has for me. In April of 2025, our first child will be born, a baby girl. As Tabitha and I look to the future we are excited for what God has planned for us.

    Contact: dwatson@smyrna1897.org

     

  Ministry Staff


  • Audrey Erdmann

    Administrative Assistant

    I was born and raised in Florida. In 1991 I moved to Wisconsin with a friend and met the love of my life, Jim. After a short two-month courtship we married in November of 1991. My family moved to Dinwiddie County in 1997 where I have been actively involved in various churches in the area. In 2009 I found my church home here at Smyrna Baptist. I started working as one of our part-time administrative assistants in July of 2017 and became the full-time administrative assistant in 2018. God has blessed me beyond measure with two wonderful children (a daughter and son), four granddaughters and a grandson. When I am not working or serving at Smyrna Baptist this 'empty-nester' enjoys sewing, cooking and spending time my husband, my grandkids and my church family.

    Contact: admin@smyrna1897.org

  • Brad Perkinson

    Worship Leader

    I was born and raised in Dinwiddie County. I graduated from Dinwiddie High School in 2006 where I met the girl of my dreams, Ashley Brooke, who later became my wife and mother of my 4 sons, Jackson, Noah, and Luke and Micah. I have been a member at Smyrna since I was 6 and have seen God do some amazing things in and through our church. My love for music started as a youngster and continued later in my teenage years, playing with various bands in different venues. I am so thankful for God's amazing love and grace that providentially brought me to the place I serve today. I love our church and the culture of worship that our leadership teaches and exemplifies. My desire is to lead in a way where God is glorified, Jesus is lifted up, and His presence is always welcome. When I am not serving the church I love playing with my boys and every second I have alone with my wife! 

  • Brittney chappell
    accountant

    Contact: bchappell@smyrna1897.org

  • Melodie Parsons

    Director of Music

    I was born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, and married my husband, Joe, after high school. After we had our two daughters we moved to Greenville, South Carolina where we were blessed to grow deeper in our faith and develop our talents and gifts in service through a local church. I have been involved with music my entire life serving in various positions in my home state and then in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. I am passionate about music and how it is used in the local church to worship the Lord and encourage believers of all ages in their walk with Christ. I am also passionate about worship and the role it plays in our relationship with our creator. I enjoy leading and serving as part of a team and I am honored and privileged to plan the music for our worship services and special events along with others that serve through the worship ministry. I enjoy family time, musical theatre, worship conferences and travel.

  • erica chaplin

    children's director

    I grew up in Dinwiddie, VA on our 100+ year-old family farm. I earned a Bachelors in Business Management at VCU. I met my love, Jason, and was living my dream. We were both working fulltime and a few years later started our family with our firstborn son, Trevor. Our world was rocked when we lost Trevor at the tender age of 2 1/2 years old. I was faced with feeling alone, lost, and terrified to move forward, lost myself and my purpose, but through my faith, was able to navigate the new life I was living. Five weeks after the most devastating day of our lives, we celebrated the birth of our second son, Hunter. Talk about a roller coaster ride. Hunter was also born with the disease, but thanks to God for all that we discovered through Trevor's death, Hunter is healed and lives a normal life. A few years later, Jason and I welcomed our free-spirited daughter, Brianna. Our family was complete. Through this roller coaster I call life, Smyrna has been my saving grace. While going through the turmoil with Trevor's health, Smyrna felt like home to me. Ten years later I find myself blessed to be working in God's house which has been a constant shining light in some of my darkest moments. Children are God's precious gifts and I am beyond blessed to work with His children and lead His wonderful volunteers so that we can instill a love for Jesus in the hearts of the little ones of Smyrna Baptist.

    Contact: echaplin@smyrna1897.org