Genesis Baptist Church
Empowering Generations for the 21st Century
BIBLE STUDY READINGS
Beginning April 23, 2025
Series Titles: Living Faith: Bridging Belief and Real Life
Theme: Exploring how faith remains active, grounded, and transformative
in the realities of daily life.
Week 1: Faith that Walks: Trusting God in the Day-to-Day
Focus: Showing how faith isn’t just for crises but is meant to shape daily
decisions, routines, and relationships.
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; James 2: 14-17; Psalm 37:3-5
Key Questions: What does it mean to trust God practically?
Application Challenge: Journal a decision you’re facing and pray for God’s
direction.
Week 2: Faith at Work: Integrity and Influence
Focus: Living out faith in the community, church, and workplace, through
character, excellence, and witness.
Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 5:16: Daniel 6:1-5
Key Question: How can faith impact work ethic?
Application Challenge: Practice integrity and excellence intentionally at
work, community, church.
Week 3: Faith in Conflict: Grace Under Pressure
Focus: How faith shapes our response to personal and social conflict-
through humility, wisdom, and love.
Scripture: Romans 12:17-21; Matthew 5:9; James 1:19-20
Key Question: How do faith guide reactions?
Application Challenge: Try the pause-pray-proceed model during a conflict
or tense moment.
Week 4: Faith That Endures: When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned
Focus: Holding on to faith in uncertain times and learning resilience through
trust in God.
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6; Corinthians 4: 7-9; Habakkuk 3:17-19
Key Question: What does faith look like when plans fail?
Application Challenge: Write a personal faith declaration for your current
struggle.
Dr. Verenander Lloyd Hughes
Senior Pastor
Dr. Verenander Lloyd Hughes was born in Blackstone, Virginia to Herbert A. Hughes, Sr. and the late Dorothy W. Hughes. He is the product of the public schools of Nottoway County and a graduate of Nottoway High School. Dr. Hughes continued his educational pursuit by attending Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, Virginia and graduating from Richmond Virginia Seminary Richmond, Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies, Drew University Madison, New Jersey with a Master of Theological Studies, and United Theological Seminary Dayton, Ohio with a Doctor of Ministry Degree. His doctoral dissertation focused on: Developing An Intergeneration Congregation in an African American Church for Post-Modern Leadership. Dr. Hughes is currently persuing the Knowledge Based Coaching Certification through the International Federation Certification.
Serving more than two decades in ministry, Dr. Hughes has served as pastor of the Saint Paul Baptist Church Forest, Virginia. Counselor for Youth Support Services in partnership with the Roanoke City Juvenile Court System, adjunct professor with the Northern School of Religion Newark, New Jersey teaching Philosophy of Religion, served as pastor at Bethel Baptist Church Orange, New Jersey, and is currently the Senior Pastor at Genesis Baptist Church.
The works of Dr. Hughes has extended beyond the church walls. He was very active in the community. Dr. Hughes has connected the church with the community through collaborative efforts that enhance the quality of life in the community. His community work focus on maximizing resources extended to undeserved populations in the community, and collaborating with leaders.
Dr. Hughes received the Key to The City of Orange under the Mims-Hackett administration, proclamation from the City of Orange under both Hackett and Hawkins administration. In 2010, he was awarded the Pillar of the Community Award. In 2014, the NAACP awarded Dr. Hughes with the Spiritual Award, and also received an award from Orange City Council for spiritual leadership in the community.
Dr. Hughes served as Chaplain for the Orange Police Department, served on Orange Public Library Trustee Board, a member of the Drew University Alumni Executive Board. Dr. Hughes is a currently the Director of Ordination for the Rowan Association, a member of the Pulpit Forum of Greensboro, and Pastors of the Piedmont. Dr. Hughes life philosophy is to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your path.” He is married to Sandra Terry Hughes and they have two grown children, Quinton and Devondra.