OUR LEADERSHIP

Dr. Matthew Tennant

Senior Minister

Dr. Matthew Tennant has degrees from Carson-Newman College, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and University of Oxford. Matt worked in the world of finance before being called into ministry. He and his wife Melanie love living in Charlottesville and enjoy almost any outdoor activity, especially sailing, scuba diving, and hiking. Before coming to UBC in 2017, he served as the Senior Pastor of Kilmarnock Baptist Church in Kilmarnock, VA, for 8 years. He has written several books, including Freedom and Existence (De Gruyter 2023) and Crossing the Lines We Draw (Judson Press 2020). Matt and Melanie have two sons in college, Dean and Eddy.

Rev. Megan Sharp

Associate Minister for Music & College Students

Rev. Megan Sharp earned her undergraduate degree in music from the College of Wooster in Ohio and holds a master’s degree in opera from the Boston Conservatory. Following her graduate studies she began leading music ministry in churches. She has served Needham Presbyterian Church and South Church in Andover in Massachusetts, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. She loves using her skills to bring music, art and movement to worship. At University Baptist Megan directs the Jubilate College Choir and the Sanctuary Choir. She also leads College Ministry. In the community she conducts Zephyrus Early Music Vocal Ensemble and sings chamber music and art song as much as possible, especially with her husband Jonathan. She also teaches and studies T’ai Chi at the Charlottesville T’ai Chi Center. Jonathan and Megan have a son who is in college and shares their love of music.

Will Cooke

Voces Laetae Director

Will Cooke has been a fixture in Charlottesville since 2007, and joined us at UBC in 2021 to lead our music programs. He is the Choral Director at Charlottesville High School (CHS) where he leads four choirs, in addition to Voces Laetae, a community youth choir he started at UBC in 2022! Born in Keysville, VA, Will grew up attending Ash Camp Baptist Church, and has led music programs in a variety of settings, including the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church. He went to college at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received a degree in music education. Will and his husband David are both beloved educators in the community, and together they have been providing foster and respite care for seven years. In the summers, they can often be found at their favorite vacation spot at Ocracoke Island!

Barbara Moore

Organist

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 Wednesday Music Club, the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Charlottesville Music Teachers’ Association and she is a volunteer firefighter with the Charlottesville Fire Co. Her husband, Jim, is also an active member of UBC.

Linda Weirich

Office Coordinator

Linda Weirich holds a BS degree in mathematics from the University of Richmond. She joined the UBC staff in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in church administration. She has also recently retired as a Music Director, serving several churches in Virginia. She has a son, 2 daughters, and 5 grandchildren.

Amanda Ohlms

Financial Coordinator

Amanda holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from UVA and a master's degree in Counseling from UNC Greensboro. She worked as a counselor in Augusta County before becoming a stay-at-home mom for 12.5 years. Amanda and her family (husband Peter and two children, Luna and Micah) have attended UBC for many years. Amanda was excited to join the UBC staff as the Financial Coordinator in 2022.

Alan Hendricks

Church Administrator

Alan serves as the Church Administrator and is responsible for database and IT management, building maintenance, and general administrative duties. Before taking on his volunteer role at UBC, Alan worked as an electrical engineer and program manager for maritime navigation and control systems.

Hunter Cooper

Maintenance Assistant

Hunter grew up at UBC and graduated from Albemarle High School in 2024. He is currently attending Piedmont Virginia Community College and plans to transfer to UVA next fall. Hunter joined the UBC staff in 2025 and assists with a variety of tasks around the building.

Picture coming soon!