Rev. K.B. Wright steps down after 42 years of service
by S. Rotan Hale
There is no wealth in the world greater than the procured appreciation of spiritual development. Throughout history, spiritual leaders have been pivotal in the development of society on many levels.
One community centered around Roanoke’s First Baptist Church, Gainsboro (FBCG) is presently transitioning through the retirement of its pastor Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Wright who has been the spiritual leader of this historic church in northwest for 42 years.
Kenneth Bernard was the name given him by his oldest sister Frances as the youngest of 4 children born to Walter and Ila Agnes Jones Wright. With a gentle smile he said people often kid him about his name. “As Kenneth B. Wright, you always have to be right they say.”
He spent his early childhood in Elliston, VA where he continues to reside with (first lady) Karen, his wife of 47 years. The couple has one daughter Kamari.
Rev. Wright speaks of his father with reverence and remembers him as a man of honesty and great faith who prayed often. Walter Wright was a railway freight handler with Railway Express in Roanoke and because he never drove he commuted daily from Elliston by bus.
“I sincerely believe my father had the gift of incredible faith and God chose to pass that spiritual gift on to me… It’s a dominant gift that I have relied on my entire ministry,” he remarked with a look of serene certainty.
Rev. Wright attended Elliston Elementary Colored School that was established for Blacks. “Seven grades and one teacher all in the same room and we learned,” he said placing special emphasis on how he and his classmates learned against certain adverse conditions Blacks experienced during that period.
Rev. Wright is a man who lives by his principles. “One of my favorite words is integrity and if you don’t value integrity then you’ve lost the meaning of life,” he said with a sense of conviction that’s uncommon these days.
Among his earliest influences was a minister he remembered in high school (1954-59) at Christiansburg Institute (CI), where he studied Industrial Arts, bricklaying, carpentry, etc.
The minister, Captain Lester, led special devotions and quoted scripture as Proverbs 22.1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” The verse has paved the path for Wright’s focus ever since.
Rev. Wright was employed at Imperial Redding Company in 1964. It was an overall factory, where he was officially involved in establishing the unions because of unfair labor tactics at the facility. He was fired after management wouldn’t let him leave to preach a funeral at Schaffer Memorial Baptist Church where he was pastor (1965-73).
He resigned from Schaffer after a period he says prepared him for the following 42-years he would spend as pastor of FBCG.
After leaving the overall factory, he was hired at New River Community Action Agency, a non-profit organization with focus on anti-poverty programs. He started as a Neighborhood Youth Core Counselor and quickly became regional deputy director over several counties throughout Southwest Va.
During that time, the Elliston minister was invited to preach for Men’s Day at FBCG that at the time had no pastor. He submitted his resume to the search committee which was received with some reservation due to his lack of qualifications.
He withdrew his resume, the committee reconsidered after adjusting certain stipulations and through a landslide vote Rev. Wright was seated as pastor of FBCG.
Among those he mentioned as personal mentors was Rev. George M. Calloway, who managed dual pastorships at High Point BC, Rural Retreat and FBC, Chilhowie.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Wright posseses the gift of an exceptional singing voice. He has also been an outspoken advocate and member of the Gainsboro Area Citizens Committee dealing with projects regarding what’s considered one of the most historic areas of town.
After intensely elaborating on the City’s unbalanced treatment regarding Urban Renewal –a sizziling hot topic of many fiery civic meetings–he exclaimed, “If Gainsboro is the mother of all neighborhoods in this valley then why is the city molesting and raping it’s mother.”
Regardless to whether speaking from the pulpit or in a personal setting, this is a man who etches his words carefully as he crafts his message.
A banquet celebrating his years of dedicated service will be held Friday, August 21 at Hotel Roanoke. A bittersweet service will follow Sunday, Aug. 23 as church congregants sit through one of Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Wright’s many well-crafted sermons–his last as pastor of First Baptist Church, Gainsboro.
Roanoke native Rev. Dr. Quentin L. Keatts will take the helm as pastor.
