REV. DR. MARK MICAIAH WHITAKER
ASSISTANT PASTOR OF NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH, PORTSMOUTH, VA
Dr. Mark Micaiah Whitaker is the third of four children born to Bishop James M. and Otelia McIntyre Whitaker of Portsmouth, VA and the grandson of the late Deacon Junious and Carrie Whitaker of the Lambert’s Point Community of Norfolk, VA via Scotland Neck, NC and the late Deacon Joseph and Etta McIntyre of the Mount Hermon Community of Portsmouth, VA. He is married to Dr. Ingrid Whitaker, who serves as a Tenured Associate Professor of Sociology at Old Dominion University. They are the proud parents of four children – James (2nd Year Law Student at North Carolina Central University; 2019 Master’s Degree graduate of Georgetown University; 2017 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University – Full Basketball Scholarship), Naomi (2nd Year Master of Public Health Program at Emory University; 2020 graduate of East Carolina University – Full Track Scholarship, Dean’s List), Nathaniel (Junior, Morehouse College) and Rachel (12th Grade – I. C. Norcom High School, Honor Roll, Track, National Junior Honor Society).
Dr. Whitaker was educated in the Portsmouth Public School System. In 1983, he graduated 4th in his class with honors from the great Manor High School, was named the Most Valuable Basketball Player in the City of Portsmouth, Tidewater’s Most Valuable Player by the Virginian Pilot and First Team All-State Boys Basketball Team, and was elected as President of the Student Government Association. He furthered his education at Virginia Tech where he was the recipient of a full-athletic scholarship in basketball, served as President of the Black Student Alliance, was listed as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Virginia College Brother of the year 1987), and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science. In 1989, Dr. Whitaker received a Masters of Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business. Moreover, in 1993, Dr. Whitaker received the Doctor of Jurisprudence (Law Degree) from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law where he served as President of the Black Law Students Association in 1992 and 1993 and served on the College of Law Honor Council. Dr. Whitaker has done further studying in the R.B. Pamplin College of Business Doctoral Program at Virginia Tech and the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union in the Masters of Divinity program.
In 1992, Dr. Whitaker was licensed as a minister and ordained in June of 1995. Dr. Whitaker serves as the Assistant Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA where his father, Bishop James M. Whitaker has served as the Pastor since June of 1964 and his mother, Otelia McIntyre Whitaker, is the Minister of Music. For 25 years, Dr. Whitaker taught on the collegiate level at Virginia Tech in the R. B. Pamplin School of Business from 1993-1999 and Hampton University from 1999 – 2018 where he earned Tenure and the rank of Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business.
In May 2002, Dr. Whitaker was elected to the Portsmouth Public School Board as the youngest person ever elected and served until December 2014. As a School Board Member, Dr. Whitaker served as chair of the Minority Contracting Committee and the Corporate Sponsorship Committee. Moreover Dr. Whitaker was very instrumental in the School Board implementing a Minority and Women Business Enterprises Program, Middle School Athletics Program, Pay Equity Study, and in advocating for a culture of fairness and respect for all.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Dr. Mark and Dr. Ingrid Whitaker made history by becoming the first married couple elected to Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth School Board respectively. They speak TRUTH TO POWER advocating for Social and Economic justice.
Dr. Mark Micaiah Whitaker is one who believes that, through Christ, we can do all things and no weapon formed against us shall prosper. To God be the GLORY!
Otelia Wainwright McIntyre Whitaker
First Lady & Minister of Music
Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, educator, musician, and our First Lady, Otelia Whitaker has served as Minister of Music since 1964 assisting her husband, Bishop James M. Whitaker, in ministry. A gifted musician, she started in music at the age of four and plays both the piano and organ. Mrs. Whitaker received a BS in music from Norfolk State University. She was employed as a music teacher in the Portsmouth and Newport News Public School systems. She became certified in elementary education and taught music and fourth grade unitl she retired in 1995.
CYNTHIA B. FERGUSON
Administrative Assistant
Cynthia T. Baxter-Ferguson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She has been in New Bethel since she was born in July 1977. She has been a member of New Bethel Baptist Church for over 20 years. She is the Administrative Assistant and Notary Public, a member of Voices of Praise Musice Ministry, Carrie Hardy Missionary Ministry, Couples' Ministry and Jubilant Dancers.
After graduating from I. C. Norcom High School in 1996, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with emphasis in Information System from Norfolk State University in 2001.
She is the daughter of Deacon Richard & Ruby Baxter and the youngest sister of Sylvia Alston, Keith Baxter and Darlene Baxter. She has been married to Lamont A. Ferguson for 13 years. They have three daughters Imani (10 years old), Adrianne (7 years old) and Riona (20 months).
ROBYN ALEXANDER
Assistant Minister of Music
Robyn Alexander enthusiastically serves as our Assistant Minister of Music sharing her gifts on the keyboard, piano, and organ. Mrs. Alexander is emloyed as a Music Teacher with the Virginia Beach Public Schools System.
DEACON, ROBERT DAVIS
Guitarist
Deacon Robert Davis is one of the most talented musicians in the world. He serves faithfully at New Bethel Baptist Church and assist other churches and groups when they worship and fellowship at New Bethel. Deacon Davis is also a gifted artist having graduated from Norfolk State University. Deacon Davis served as an art teacher in the Norfolk Public Schools until his retirement. Over his tenure as a teacher, his students received many awards at art shows throughout Virginia. Deacon Davis also serves as a Trustee of New Bethel Baptist Church
MUSICIANS - PERCUSSIONIST
We have several who serve as percussionist for the church:
Tyler Fontinella
Deacon, Phillip Whitaker
James "JP" Whitaker
Nathaniel "Nate" Whitaker
