A Congregation on Corprew Avenue
Second Calvary Baptist Church sits at 2940 Corprew Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia, where members describe it as "a community church with a global vision." Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns since June 26, 1983, the congregation has built a ministry that pairs hands-on work in its own neighborhood with short-term mission trips that have reached seven countries on three continents. From its building on Corprew Avenue, Second Calvary runs a Christian Leadership School, supports students through three named scholarship funds, partners with three Norfolk Public Schools, and has launched a congregation-wide effort called Unlimited Possibilities to include members with disabilities in every part of church life.
A Community Church with a Global Vision
The mission of Second Calvary rests on four stated pillars: a future-focused Church Vision, a community-rooted Church Mission, a local Church Community committed to missions and evangelism, and a Church Global arm that supports resources, aid, training and education around the world, anchored in Matthew 28:19. The church names preaching the gospel, teaching, healing, nurture, worship, ministry, fellowship and witness as the disciplines through which the mission is achieved. Core spiritual values include the centrality of the Bible in preaching, the visible role of the local congregation as the body of Christ, the development of Spirit-filled and well-trained leaders, and the responsibility to make disciples of all nations.
Sunday Mornings in the Sanctuary
Sunday School at Second Calvary begins at 9:00 a.m., with Sunday worship following at 9:30 a.m. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed online and through the SCBC Norfolk mobile app, available on both Google Play and the App Store. Worshippers are invited to "join us live online every Sunday and for special events," and sermons can be replayed through the same platforms. A weekly newsletter keeps the broader congregation informed of upcoming ministry opportunities.
The Long Tenure of Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns
Rev. Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns has served as senior pastor of Second Calvary Baptist Church since June 26, 1983. A native of Newport, Rhode Island, and a graduate of the Norfolk Public School System, he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Norfolk State University in 1972 and served honorably as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer for six years. He completed his Master of Divinity summa cum laude at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in 1981 and earned a Doctor of Ministry from the Howard University School of Religion in 1985.
Within the denomination, Dr. Guns has served as President of the Virginia Baptist State Convention from 1997 to 2001, twice as Moderator of the Tidewater-Peninsula Baptist Association, and as State Director of Christian Education for the Virginia Baptist State Convention for ten years. He has been a faculty member of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education for more than 32 years and currently serves as President of the Virginia Baptist State Congress of Christian Education, as well as Co-Chair of the Executive Council of Christian Education for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Dr. Guns is also a working theologian and writer. He has authored five books, including Church Financial Management (Providence House, 1997), Spiritual Leadership: A Practical Guide to Developing Spiritual Leaders in the Church (Orman Press, 2000), Introduction to the Bible: An Easy-to-Read Guide to Its Origin and Purpose (Townsend Press, 2014), and From Ruin to Restoration: A Study of the Prophetic Writings of Haggai (Townsend Press, 2018), along with Empowering Your Ministry. He has also contributed to the Christian Education Informer and served as Senior Writer for the Townsend Press Sunday School Commentary.
An avid mission advocate, Dr. Guns has led 65 short-term mission trips to Nigeria, Israel, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda, and has traveled extensively through Israel, Turkey, Greece, Europe and Asia. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
In 2014, Dr. Guns co-founded the Norfolk Pastors' Coalition, an effort to bring local Baptist congregations together around the urban social and economic concerns of the city. He also works with the denomination's Home Mission Board and the Lott Carey Convention, the foreign mission board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
First Lady Rosetta H. Guns
Rosetta H. Guns, known affectionately as "Rosebud," is the only child of the late Samuel and Martha Harding of Richmond, Virginia. She accepted Christ at an early age at Cedar Street Baptist Church of Richmond under the late Dr. Benjamin W. Robertson, Sr. She earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University, then spent a 30-year career as a school social worker with Chesapeake Public Schools before retiring in 2017.
Lady Guns is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Association of Black Social Workers, a life member of the Norfolk State University Alumni Association, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She serves as a Virginia Beach Election Official, volunteers with Sentara Leigh Hospital on the Patient and Family Advisory Council and the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Eastside Community Development Corporation. She is also a member of the Interdenominational Ministers Wives and Ministers Widows Alliance of Tidewater.
At Second Calvary, Lady Guns serves as Co-Elder of the Pastoral Care Ministry, Women's Ministry Leader, and Deaconess. She has co-led mission trips with her husband to Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Israel, Greece and Turkey, and has taught Women's Ministry and Pastor's Wives classes in Africa. Her personal mantra: "If it costs me my peace, it's too expensive."
The Rev. Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns Christian Leadership School
The Christian Leadership School, named for the senior pastor, is the church's primary vehicle for ongoing Bible study and leadership formation. Classes meet on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom and are open to both members and the wider community. Registration is offered on a semester basis. The school is part of the church's wider Christian Education ministry, which also publishes downloadable Bible study guides for personal use.
Ministries Across Generations
Second Calvary's ministry roster reaches across every age and stage of life. Children are served through Kingdom Kids, Volunteer Children's Church, the nursery, Vacation Bible School, Puppet Ministry and Mime Ministry. Praise Dance and Steel Drums offer creative expression in worship, while GEMS (Girls Empowered By The Master For Service) mentors young women.
The SCBC College and Young Adult Ministry, branded as iRock, provides a contact point for college students, active military, and other young adults. The Women's Ministry is led by First Lady Rosetta Guns, and the W.H. Gray Men's Ministry is the men's fellowship arm of the church, known for hosting a signature annual lunch cruise aboard the Norfolk Signature Lunch Cruise on Waterside Drive.
Music and worship support come from multiple church choirs and a dedicated ushers' ministry. Other named ministries include the Evangelism Ministry, the James R. Jones Leadership Institute, the Eagle Eyrie program, and the church's information technology team.
Unlimited Possibilities: A Disability Ministry
Unlimited Possibilities is Second Calvary's ministry to members with disabilities or chronic conditions. The program's tagline is "Embracing Diversity, Celebrating Humanity," and its stated principle is that "every member belongs, and every voice matters in the body of Christ." Through an optional and confidential questionnaire, the church is asking members with disabilities, parents and guardians what kinds of accommodations would help them participate more fully in worship, fellowship and ministry. The questionnaire covers visual aids, hearing accessibility, braille signage, a sensory-friendly room, noise-reducing headphones, one-on-one support and connections to local resources, giving the congregation a way to plan future investments in accessibility.
Scholarships and Educational Support
Three named scholarship funds support students connected to Second Calvary. The H.W.B. Walker Memorial Educational Scholarship is open to members who have been part of the church for at least one year and who are pursuing a college, university or vocational education at an accredited school; applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and submit three letters of reference. The Shirley R. Carr Scholarship Foundation and the 900 Men Strong scholarship round out the church's commitment to educational advancement.
Rooted in Norfolk: Community Partnerships
Second Calvary maintains an active partnership with Norfolk Public Schools at Southside S.T.E.M. Academy, Chesterfield Academy, and P.B. Young Elementary. Volunteer opportunities include serving as lunch monitors (men only), mentors for boys and girls, reading buddies, PTA sponsors, and production crew members, with a commitment of one to two hours per day, one to two days per week. The Norfolk Pastors' Coalition, co-founded by Dr. Guns in 2014, brings Baptist congregations together around urban social and economic concerns. Lady Guns also serves on the Eastside Community Development Corporation board.
Getting Connected
Visitors are welcomed through an online membership application that gathers contact details, marital status, and the manner of joining (Baptism, Experience of Grace, or Letter). Members requesting space for a ministry event at the sanctuary, Fellowship Hall or Annex use the church's Services Request Form. Giving is available online through PushPay, and the SCBC mobile app gives members access to sermons, news, and tithing from a phone or tablet. The church office can be reached at 757-627-7222 or info@secondcalvary.org.