
Dr. Thomas Wayne Giles, Sr. (1943 - 2009)

Our Pastor of nearly five years, Dr. Wayne Giles, passed from this life into eternal rest in Heaven on Friday, September 4, 2009. Dr. Giles has been a faithful, dedicated servant of God throughout his life, and along with his wife, Dr. Sharon Giles, has served the Lord for 38 years. He was a true American hero, he retired from the United States Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia, in 1984 as a Chief Warrant Officer Three, with 23 years of service. He served aboard the various watercraft based at Fort Eustis, retiring from the 73rd Transportation Company. He also served two tours in Vietnam.
Dr. Giles was a graduate of Mooresville Senior High School in Mooresville, North Carolina. After retiring from the military, Dr. Giles attended Bible College, earning a Bachelor of Bible from Central Baptist Bible College, a Bachelor of Ministry from Victory Baptist Bible College, a Master of Ministry and a Doctor of Ministry from Bethany Theological Seminary, graduating Summa Cum laude, and a Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Religious Education from Andersonville Baptist Seminary.
He pastored for more than 30 years at several churches in Newport News, Virginia. He has taught in Bible College for more than 20 years, and served as Dean of Students at Victory Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Hampton, Virginia, for the last 10 years. He also served as pastor to the English speaking members of the Young Kwang Korean Church in Poquoson for two years, and served as Assistant Pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Hampton for four years. Dr. Giles also worked with the Armed Forces Baptist Missions as an Advisor to the Associate and Lay Ministries.
Dr. Giles was the Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, for nearly five years. Pastor Dr. Giles took the church under the name of Pleasant Grove Community Church in 1998, shortly after the former pastor, James Wetherington, passed away. Under the direction of Pastor Dr. Giles, the church's name was changed to Trinity Baptist Church. Initially, Pastor Dr. Giles pastored from 1998 to 1999, and returned to the church in 2006.
Dr. Giles was a spiritual man of God in all aspects of his life, and loved his family (including his church family). He often called the church his home, and that home is where family is, including all of his brothers and sisters in Christ. He was a faithful, loving husband and father, and a dedicated leader in Christ. He was truly a wonderful person, mentor, and friend to have, he will be missed by all who have known him throughout his life. He will be peacefully awaiting in Heaven, for that day where he will be re-united with all of us.
"People should enjoy the church experience. They should be encouraged, challenged, and inspired from the pulpit. We should desire and pray for the winning of souls to the Lord. We should pray that God's people will experience real conviction to serve and be faithful to the Lord. Doing these things will strengthen the local body of believers and give God's folk a desire to be more like Jesus."
- Pastor Dr. Wayne Giles