Rev. Waltena Downs Pride, M.Ed., M.Div.
I am an Associate Minister at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, an Educational Consultant, a mother, grandmother, and I really try to be a good friend. I am also a retired teacher and administrator with four decades of combined service in public schools, private schools, a juvenile detention center, and a seminary.
In addition to preaching and teaching, I also enjoy reading, writing, music, theater, and traveling with family and friends.
My favorite scripture, Micah 7:7, reflects my philosophy of life.
"Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me"
I know that God ALWAYS hears me! Thank you for visiting my website.
Biography
The Reverend Waltena Downs Pride was born in Richmond, Virginia to the late Reverend Walter L. Downs and Mrs. Berneice T. Downs. At an early age she joined the Pottomoi Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia, under her father’s pastorate. While there, she served in the Choir, on the Usher Board, and as a substitute pianist. In 1977 she joined Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond Virginia. Rev. Pride answered the call to ministry and was licensed in 2005 and ordained in 2017. Her ordination was recognized by the American Baptist Churches of the South in 2018. She served as Minister to the Young Adult Ministry, as well as a member of the Missions Ministry, Nurses Ministries, and Teacher for Sunday School, Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, and numerous workshops and conferences.. She is the Founding Visionary of FIG (Facing Issues Grace-Fully), a ministry dedicated to connecting through conversation. She is also an Educational Consultant specializing in Special Education.
Rev. Pride holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education and a Master Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and Early Childhood Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also earned a Master Divinity from Virginia Union University. She retired from public education after 31 years of service, with the last 21 years in Richmond City Public Schools.
In addition to her work at Fifth Baptist, Rev. Pride has served as an Adjunct Instructor at Richmond Virginia Seminary and as a supply preacher for Faith Lutheran Parish in Disputanta, Virginia. She is the Corresponding Secretary for the Progressive National Baptist Convention – Virginia Fellowship and a current member and former Corresponding Secretary for the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity. She writes a blog on waltenapride.weebly.com and has a podcast, Waltena Pride: My Story, available on numerous platforms, including Google, Apple, and Spotify. She has served as the Education Coordinator of Faith Leaders Moving Forward, Cluster Coordinator of the Central NE Cluster of Area II, American Baptist Churches of the South and, is a former member of the board for the Center for Healthy Hearts. She has also served as President of the Executive Board of the Richmond Community Theatre Guild, Inc. and Director of Patient Education for the Lupus Foundation of Virginia.
Rev. Pride enjoys visiting her daughter Jennifer and grandson William in North Carolina, as well as reading, writing, music, theatre, and traveling.
Her favorite passage of scripture, Micah 7:7, sums up her philosophy of life:
“Therefore, I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me.”
Rev. Pride holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education and a Master Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and Early Childhood Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also earned a Master Divinity from Virginia Union University. She retired from public education after 31 years of service, with the last 21 years in Richmond City Public Schools.
In addition to her work at Fifth Baptist, Rev. Pride has served as an Adjunct Instructor at Richmond Virginia Seminary and as a supply preacher for Faith Lutheran Parish in Disputanta, Virginia. She is the Corresponding Secretary for the Progressive National Baptist Convention – Virginia Fellowship and a current member and former Corresponding Secretary for the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity. She writes a blog on waltenapride.weebly.com and has a podcast, Waltena Pride: My Story, available on numerous platforms, including Google, Apple, and Spotify. She has served as the Education Coordinator of Faith Leaders Moving Forward, Cluster Coordinator of the Central NE Cluster of Area II, American Baptist Churches of the South and, is a former member of the board for the Center for Healthy Hearts. She has also served as President of the Executive Board of the Richmond Community Theatre Guild, Inc. and Director of Patient Education for the Lupus Foundation of Virginia.
Rev. Pride enjoys visiting her daughter Jennifer and grandson William in North Carolina, as well as reading, writing, music, theatre, and traveling.
Her favorite passage of scripture, Micah 7:7, sums up her philosophy of life:
“Therefore, I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me.”