WHAT IS

F.L.A.M.E.

(Fostering Leadership and Ministry Excellence) Inc. was conceived in the summer of 2010 by a group of pastors, who sought out Pastor Rev. Dwight Riddick for his leadership development, mentorship, and spiritual covering. Over a decade later, F.L.A.M.E. is comprised of pastors and ministerial leaders from various denominations across the country. The core value and biblical foundation of F.L.A.M.E. was extracted from Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Within the organization, each person gives of themselves to help one another become better pastoral/ministerial leaders. We offer an inviting and safe atmosphere where Pastors/Leaders of like minds can share and find support.

THIS WILL HAVE VISION OR MISSION STATEMENT.

THE AREA BELOW WILL HAVE THE BELIEFS OR VALUES THAT ALIGN WITH F.L.A.M.E.

Our Vision

Service

Education

Stewardship

Empower

Support

Encourage

Bishop Dwight S. Riddick, Sr.

Bishop Dwight S. Riddick, Sr., a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, graduated in 1982 from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. In 1991, he received the Master of Divinity Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia. In 2005, he earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree and the School of Divinity’s Leadership Award from Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Riddick also earned a second doctoral degree from Chicago Theological
Seminary, Chicago, IL, in May of 2016. In May of 2023, Bishop Riddick received an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Following a successful, six-year ministry at First Baptist Church, Dendron, Virginia, Bishop Riddick was called to lead Gethsemane Baptist Mission (now Gethsemane Baptist Church), Newport News, Virginia in 1985. Within the first two years, he meticulously led Gethsemane Baptist Church in building a 20,000 sq. ft. worship and education center. In 2011,
he led the church in constructing its second building, the Transformation Place. Gethsemane Baptist Mission, starting with only 200 disciples, has developed into a congregation of well over 2,000 members.

Bishop Riddick founded F.L.A.M.E., Inc., which is an organization that equips and nurtures pastors. He has distinctively served in numerous positions including serving as the 40th President of the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference, President of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia and member of the Board of Trustees for Virginia Union University. Additionally, he was nominated for the Daily Press Newspaper’s Citizen Award in 2001 and received the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award in 2012.

Bishop Riddick is certainly a voice for our time. As referenced in his first published book “Does Preaching Have a Future, A Call to Join the Conversation,” he challenges preachers to broaden their world-view and creative implementation of the preached gospel as encouraged like only he can. In his second book, “Reflections: Life Lessons I Learned from My Dad,” Dr. Riddick extracts practical life principles that were poured into his life by the unconventional ways in which his Dad reared him.

In his newest published work, “Good Success: Practical Principles for Achieving Your Life Goals from the book of Joshua,” he calls upon a combination of his experiences in life, business and ministry coupled with teachings from the Book of Joshua to provide readers with steps for achieving their God-given purpose. Dr. Riddick currently serves as a Mentor for the Styberg Preaching Institute and as an Adjunct Professor for the ACTS Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program in Chicago, IL.

In September 2019, F.L.A.M.E., Inc., unanimously voted and elected Dr. Riddick to the Office of Bishop which is an elevation that he most humbly and reverently accepted. He was consecrated as the Presiding Prelate for
F.L.A.M.E., Inc. on November 13, 2021. In light of his many
accomplishments, platforms, community and organization involvement, this elevation comes as no surprise to those who have been blessed by his tutelage.

Bishop Dwight Riddick, Sr. and his lovely, wife, Vera, are the proud parents of a son, Reverend Dwight Riddick, Jr. and his wife, Jennell, and also a daughter, Tiffany Foreman and her husband, Mitchell. They are the proud grandparents of five lovely grandchildren: Dwight (III), Amber,
Jasmine, Rhyan and Tyler.