Our pastor is Bart Purdy.  Bart was born and raised in the Alexandria area and graduated from Edison High School.  He has a Bachelor's degree in Christian Studies from Averett University, a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Care from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Leadership from The Theological School at Drew University. He has been the pastor at Virginia Hills for 21 years

Bart is married to the former Jeannine Deem.  They have two children named Ben and Justine.  They also have two dachshunds named Annabelle and Truman

Bart enjoys reading, cooking, walking, and model railroading.

You can email Bart at vhbcpastor@verizon.net

Below is Bart's latest newsletter article:

The Pastor’s Perspective

Every year it’s the same thing.  I mean to do it.  I want to do it.  But I never get around to it.

In our front yard is a huge lilac bush.  This time of year it is laden with blossoms and the sweet smell of lilacs drifts across the yard.  It’s located right next to the driveway so I notice it each time I get in and out of the car.  Every year I promise myself I will take some time to smell the lilacs.  I always plan to cut some branches, bring them into the house and put them in water.  I make a mental note each time I see the bush blooming to take care of this.

I love the smell of lilacs in the spring.  I have fond memories of lilac bushes at the home I grew up in.  I remember being a kid and opening my bedroom window in the spring and being greeted by that delightful smell. I remember lying in bed at night with the window open and feeling a lilac scented breeze blowing across my face. It’s a fragrance that brings back warm, pleasant memories:  mom, home, security.

But, alas, it is a busy life we lead.  I get into the house and get absorbed in whatever else is going on and inevitably I forget all about the lilac bush.   For about a week, every time I pass the bush I make a mental note to smell the lilacs.  I get distracted, and then notice that the blossoms have died.  They are only there for a short time and then they are gone.

My lilac bush is a metaphor for life.  It passes quickly so we must make the most of it.  So many of us keep putting off, or forgetting to take time to enjoy life. It’s true that as Christians we have eternity to look forward to, but Jesus tells us that he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.  That’s not just in the hereafter, but in the here and now as well.

A few years ago a good friend of mine suddenly passed away.  He was only 46 years old.  A group of us stood near his casket at the funeral home and told each other that there was a message in his death.  We needed to take more vacations, eat more chocolate, watch more sunsets, and take more naps. Somehow I keep forgetting this lesson.  I get caught up in checking email, making phone calls, and writing newsletter articles. At the end of the day I have accomplished a long laundry list of duties but I have not smelled any lilacs.  There’s more I could write, but I’m going to leave the office now and go take my wife to lunch.