Tom Leland came to us from Atlanta where he and his wife Sharron had been for the last twenty years. Having been reared in Florida, Tom finished his BA at Carson-Newman College, an MAT at The Citadel and, he served in the U.S. Navy. He completed his seminary education, (Ph.D.) at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Tom has served churches in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia, and prior to coming to UBC completed eight years of service as Associate Pastor at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist in Atlanta. Tom has a strong commitment toward quality worship, pastoral care, and ministering to the community at hand. Tom enjoys physical fitness, playing the guitar, studying foreign languages, and reading.
Tom's wife Sharron was raised in Atlanta and enjoyed a successful career in Real Estate before moving to Charlottesville. She is now employed as a Disaster Reserve Manager with the American Red Cross. When she is deployed to an operation, Sharron's focus is on evaluating the needs of those affected by the disaster, planning and implementing service delivery to those clients, and managing and mentoring volunteers. The Lelands have one son, Patrick, who is a doctoral student in philosophy at Johns Hopkins University.
Bob Badgett, our Associate Minister for Education, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and his Master of Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Before moving to Charlottesville, he served for 20 years at churches in Ohio and Florida. Bob enjoys hiking, sports, reading and music.
Bob's wife Patti is a registered nurse working at First Med at Pantops. Patti enjoys reading, gardening and the grandchildren. The Badgetts have a daughter Rachel and a son Jonathan. Rachel, who is married to Michael Abbott, has three children, Christian, Gideon and Elizabeth, and lives in Nellysford, Virginia. Jonathan, who is married to Alison Turner, also has three children, Madison, Benjamin, and Laurelen and lives in Wantagh, New York, which is on Long Island. He serves as the Music Pastor at Wantagh Baptist Church.
Alba Beasley, our Associate Minister for Music and Worship, graduated from the University of Montevallo in December of 1977, having earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree. In 1982 he received the Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Before coming to UBC, Alba served in churches in Texas, Alabama, and Virginia.
Alba's wife, Pamela, teaches on the Performance Faculties at the University of Virginia and at James Madison University. The Beasleys' two children, Benjamin and Lydia are graduates of Shenandoah University, and are pursuing careers in music.
Barbara Taylor Moore has served as Organist and Principal Accompanist since 1987. She holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in music (piano and organ) from Mary Washington College, the Master of Music in Performance (organ) from Baylor University and has done postgraduate work at The University of Kansas and the Summer Organ Institute in Zwolle, The Netherlands. She is active as a private teacher of piano and organ, and on the keyboard faculty of UVa. Barbara is a member of the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Charlottesville Music Teachers Association, and is a vounteer firefighter with the Charlottesville Fire Co. Her husband, Jim, is also an active member of UBC.
Joseph and Jordan Johnson Co-Directors of Youth Ministries
Joseph graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006 and in the fall of that same year began his graduate work at UVA in the Biochemistry Department. After joining Jubilate, he started hanging out with the youth at UBC and has been Co-Director of Youth Ministries for the past couple years. Although he is twice the age of some of the youth, he doesn't always behave like it! Joseph loves to watch the Hokies play football as well as talk about Jesus and how much God loves people. He is a sports fanatic and will talk about anything and everything....so prepare yourself!
Jordan is an '07 UVA alum and works in the Accounting Department at the DardenBusinessSchool. She loves cooking, scrapbooking, the mountains, and anything chocolate! Ever since coming to Charlottesville as a student Jordan has helped out around UBC, and she was called to be on staff in August 2009 as the Co-Director of Youth Ministries. Joseph and Jordan met in Jubilate and were married in May 2008.
Sue Walton has served as our Office Manager and Financial Secretary since 1984. She is a life long resident of western Albemarle Co. and lives in beautiful Sugar Hollow. Her favorite pasttimes are walking and hiking, reading, sewing, and NASCAR! Sue is a member of Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church in White Hall and says she loves having two church families.
Sarah Buchanan joined our staff in August 2008. She comes to us with bachelors degrees in Business Administration and Business Education from James Madison University. She taught business education in Nelson County and at Charlottesville High School. Sarah also directed the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festivals for 17 years. The Buchanans were in Midlothian, Virginia, from 2002 until May 2008, before moving back to Charlottesville to be near their three daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. While in Richmond, Sarah worked as the publications coordinator, editor, and Web steward for a large United Methodist Church. In her spare time she loves to sew (everything from redesigning heirloom wedding dresses to quilts), read, go to ball games. Her husband, John, retired from Luck Stone Corporation after 33 years, and now works as the Personnel Director for Design Electric. John graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, where he played football. He plays softball with the UBC team and likes to golf, hunt, and fish.
Thomas Hill
Custodian
Thomas Hill, the longest serving member of our staff, has been our custodian since 1982. Thomas is well respected, and is always helpful and cooperative. He and his wife, Nellie, have two sons and four grandchildren. Thomas's favorite pastime is fishing.
To contact the main church office:
Phone:(434) 293-5106
Fax: (434) 979-6433
E-mail: office@universitybaptist.org
