A Gospel Witness on Beulah Road
Oak Grove Baptist Church sits on Beulah Road in North Chesterfield, just south of Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia. For more than 128 years the congregation has gathered at this location with a single aim: to know Jesus and to make Him known. Members describe themselves as a Christ-centered faith family that holds a high view of Scripture, preaches the gospel faithfully, and seeks to live it out with grace and truth. The church's motto, drawn from John 17:3, is captured in the simple line that appears on its welcome materials: "We exist to know Jesus, and to make Jesus known."
A 128-Year Mission to Make Jesus Known
Generation after generation, Oak Grove Baptist Church has worked to proclaim the gospel, reach the lost, and make disciples who follow Jesus with their whole lives. Senior Pastor Noah Carroll now leads the congregation alongside a staff that includes Theda Purvis, who serves in the church office, and Bernard Whitlow, Pastor Emeritus. Pastor Carroll holds a Bachelor's degree from Christian Leaders College and a Master of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership from Andersonville Theological Seminary. He and his wife Courtney are raising their daughter Olivia, and his deepest desire is to see people come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
The congregation is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention through the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Theologically, the church holds that the sixty-six books of the Holy Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God and that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Members affirm that God has providentially preserved His Word through the ages and that the perfect Word of God is practically accessible and can be confidently held in the believer's hands today.
Sunday Mornings in Worship and the Word
Sunday at Oak Grove follows a steady rhythm. Bible Study for all ages begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by the Sunday Morning Worship service at 10:30 a.m. The worship gathering is offered both in person and online through a live stream on YouTube and Facebook, with recent services archived for later viewing.
Worship is described as reverent and joyful, blending timeless hymns with thoughtfully selected modern songs that are rooted in biblical truth. Music is treated as proclamation rather than performance, supporting the gathered congregation as it lifts up the name of Christ. The preaching at Oak Grove is unapologetically Bible-centered. Each sermon walks through the text of Scripture verse by verse, with clarity, conviction, and compassion, and every message is designed to exalt Christ and edify His people.
First-time visitors can expect handshakes, smiles, and a church family ready to make them feel at home. Greeters serve in the parking lot and at the doors, directing traffic, answering questions, and keeping a watchful eye for added security during services. On the fifth Sunday of any month, families are invited to worship together with their children, and kid-friendly activity sheets that align with the sermon are provided to help little ones stay engaged.
GroveKids: Discipleship from the Cradle Onward
Oak Grove partners with parents in the discipleship of their children from birth through fifth grade through a ministry called GroveKids. All volunteers are carefully screened, thoroughly trained, and committed to shepherding the next generation, and a two-person classroom policy is always maintained. Children are taught through hands-on activities, crafts, music, games, and Bible-based media in a safe, joyful, and gospel-saturated environment.
On Sunday mornings, GroveKids offers Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. for children from birth through fifth grade. Childcare is provided during the worship service for children from birth through age four, with the Nursery (birth through two years) located in Rooms 213-215 on the main level and the Toddler Area (two through four years) in Room 211. Parents are encouraged to bring labeled diapers, pacifiers, a change of clothes, healthy snacks, and bottles or baby food as needed.
During the preaching portion of the main service, children in Pre-K through second grade are dismissed to Children's Church, where they receive a Gospel-focused message presented in a way that is clear for their age group. Older children in third through fifth grade remain in the worship service with their families.
On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., a separate Children's Bible Study meets alongside the adult classes. In the summer, GroveKids travels to Camp Red Arrow through Children's Bible Ministries for an overnight camp experience for ages eight through twelve that includes Bible study, chapel, swimming, archery, crafts, and games. Vacation Bible School, held each summer on the church campus, is open to preschoolers through children who have completed fifth grade and is offered free of charge with all supplies provided.
Oak Grove also hosts Parent and Child Dedication Services throughout the year as a public celebration of the partnership between the church and the home in raising forever-followers of Jesus.
O.G. Youth: Training the Next Generation
O.G. Youth is the student ministry of Oak Grove Baptist Church for students in grades six through twelve. Its mission is to glorify God by making mature disciples of Jesus Christ through reverent worship, biblical community, joyful service, and intentional discipleship. Volunteers are interviewed, background-checked, and required to attend annual child protection training.
Students gather on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. for Sunday School and on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. for youth group, with monthly special events layered on throughout the year. The youth room is located downstairs in Rooms 105-107, and parents are always welcome to stop by and meet the youth ministry director and volunteer leaders. Each summer, students who have completed grades six through twelve travel together to a Christ-centered youth camp, with recent partnerships including FUGE Camps, Student Life, and Go Tell Ministries at Liberty University.
Worship Arts and the Welcome Team
Congregational singing is a vital expression of worship at Oak Grove, and the Worship Choir supports and enriches the gathered worship of God's people each Lord's Day. The choir welcomes singers aged fourteen and older, drawing on the faithful presence of seasoned saints and the zeal of younger voices. Music is understood as a means of declaring the truth of God's Word through theologically rich hymns and spiritual songs.
A Praise Team and Band leads the congregation alongside the choir and rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:10 p.m. Instrumentalists and singers of all kinds are invited to join, with the goal of expanding the band's range of voices and instruments. The Audio/Visual Crew provides technical support during services, operating the digital sound board, advancing presentation software, recording and producing worship services, and running the live stream. New volunteers are welcomed, including those who simply want to learn a new skill.
Worship Greeters round out the welcome team, serving as the first friendly face visitors encounter in the parking lot, at the doors, and throughout the morning. They help with directions, lend a hand, and provide an added layer of security during services.
Biblical Community Through Groups
Oak Grove teaches that following Christ is a journey to be walked together, and the church offers a range of groups designed to make that possible at every stage of life. Sunday School classes meet at 9:15 a.m. for children, youth, and adults, providing in-depth study of Scripture and space for encouragement and accountability.
The Oak Grove Women's Ministry gathers women of all ages and stages of life for Bible studies, fellowship gatherings, and intentional discipleship opportunities, with meeting times and formats designed to be flexible for the demands of daily life. The Senior Adults Ministry meets twice a month in the Fellowship Hall and on the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to noon for a Senior Adults Luncheon. Gatherings include devotionals from pastors or guest speakers, prayer and praise reports, hymn singing, and a shared meal, with members invited to bring a favorite dish to share. Excursions, dramatic productions, and time spent enjoying God's creation fill out the calendar.
Midweek Discipleship on Wednesday Nights
On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., Oak Grove offers Discipleship Classes for the whole church. Children gather for their own Bible study, students meet for youth group, and adults gather for prayer and Bible study in a Christ-centered environment focused on deepening faith, building biblical community, and equipping one another to live out the gospel in every area of life. Expect Scripture-rich discussions, Christ-exalting worship, and meaningful relationships with others who share a common commitment to the gospel.
Missions from Chesterfield to the Ends of the Earth
Oak Grove organizes its missions and outreach around the geography of Acts 1:8. The local arm, called GOn.chesterfield, focuses on serving neighbors in Chesterfield County and Central Virginia through community events, service projects, personal evangelism, and regular ministry to shut-ins, nursing homes, and the infirm.
The state arm, GOvirginia, partners with the Virginia Pastor's Fellowship to plant churches and support statewide missions, reaching the many individuals and families from around the world who now call Virginia home. GOn.america addresses North America, while GOworldwide extends the church's reach to international mission trips, special offerings, and projects that strengthen the global church and encourage persecuted believers. Oak Grove also connects with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia's prayer network, and members are invited to submit prayer requests that are prayed for by believers throughout the Commonwealth.
RightNow Media and Next Steps
As a free gift to its members and regular attenders, Oak Grove provides access to RightNow Media, a streaming library of more than 20,000 Bible study courses, shows, and family-friendly films. Content can be streamed to phones, tablets, computers, and smart TV devices, with study guides and workbooks available for many titles.
The church's Next Steps ministry walks new believers through the early stages of the Christian life, beginning a relationship with Jesus, being baptized, attending the Discover New Members Sunday School Course offered three to four times a year, and joining a small group or ministry team. Worship services are also streamed live each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook, giving those who are traveling, sick, or searching a way to join in from wherever they are. Giving is available online through the church's Realm account or by texting OAKGROVEBC to 73256.