Office Closure: The church offices will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 21.
Welcome to Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, VA
Finding direction by following Jesus.
Upcoming Events
“The Evolution of Faith” – POP-UP Sunday School
February 2 | 9:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall
In discussing Evolution & Faith, Dick will discuss how science and religious philosophy are different, yet each is profoundly important to the other, and how survival traits and evolution itself are changing! He will challenge us to think about: ‘who am I/we?’ and ‘where are we going?’ from both our scientific and our faith perspectives.
For anyone wanting to see more, Dick will follow parts of his book, Evolution of Evolution: The Survival Value of Caring, published in 2018 and available on Kindle.
Richard L. Guerrant, M.D. is the Thomas H. Hunter Professor Emeritus of International Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine at University of Virginia and is Founding Director of its Center for Global Health Equity, one of the first Trans-University Centers for Global Health. He was elected to the IOM/National Academy of Medicine and formerly chaired its Board on Global Health.
Guerrant has worked in the Congo, Bangladesh, and Brazil and has his B.S. from Davidson College, his M.D. from the University of Virginia, and his residency in medicine at the Harvard Medical Service/Boston City Hospital. He has held fellowships in Infectious Diseases at NIH, Johns Hopkins, and UVA. Dr. Guerrant edits the major textbook on Tropical Infectious Diseases, among 10 other books, and is author of over 730 scientific articles (18 with UVA’s 3 Nobel Laureates) and reviews. His work focuses on enteric infections and their long-term consequences for child growth and cognitive development. He and his colleagues in Brazil also discovered the potential benefits of the major recognized Alzheimer’s Disease risk gene, APOE4 that likely contributed to its evolution. He is past president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and recipient of its Walter Reed Medal. He founded one of the nation’s first Trans-University Centers for Global Health at UVA and is recipient the Mentor Award of IDSA (2009), of the University’s Distinguished Scientist Award (2009) and of its highest honor, the Thomas Jefferson Award in 2010, and was Outstanding Scientist of Virginia in 2012. Elected to the Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, Guerrant chaired its Board on Global Health. Among his latest books are Evolution of Evolution: The Survival Value of Caring and Why Care? …and How?
Dick loves kayaking with his high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years and boating with kids and grandkids.
“What Are They Doing Here?”
Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19 & 26 | 12:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
Some books in the Bible are about a specific person. What makes these stories so compelling is that they often center on individuals who live on the margins—people whose lives seem insignificant in the eyes of the powerful, yet matter deeply to God. These are the stories of God’s powerful work among the powerless.
During the noon hour on March Wednesdays, The Bible in Black & White class will explore four of these narratives, seeking to understand what God sees in these individuals—and in all of us. Drs. Bill Lee and George Anderson, along with ministers from other sponsoring churches, will guide the discussion.
- March 5: Ruth
Two widowed Moabite women are a problem. It is the time of Judges and there are turf battles everywhere. With no one to protect or provide for them, Ruth and Naomi rely on and take care of each other. Why are they in the Bible?
- March 12: Esther
She’s an immigrant married to Ahasuerus, the Persian king. He chose to marry her for her beauty. He did not know that she was of the same race as the people his most powerful advisor sought to expel from Persia. Why is she in the Bible?
- March 19: Daniel
The Jews are in Exile. Daniel is one of many who have been deported to Babylon. Like many Jews in Exile, he finds a way to be useful to those in power. Sometimes, though, he gets abused because of the offense of his race and beliefs. Why is he in the Bible?
- March 26: Philemon
The book of Philemon in the New Testament is a letter from Paul. The letter is written to Philemon and concerns his slave, Onesimus. Paul wants Philemon to accept Onesimus back and see him as a brother in Christ. So what? Why is this letter in the Bible?
“Deep & Wide”
Christian Education 2024-2025
“Dig deep wells, and the cattle never wander.” This old proverb speaks to the wisdom of providing water, nourishment for lean times. On the surface, it offers a wise word to farmers and herdsmen, but perhaps another meaning is about the spiritual life. A faith that has depth will nourish in times of trouble and drought. Moreover, a deep spiritual life will sustain a person through a lifetime.
At Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, VA, we take our call to nurture faith seriously. For this reason, we provide opportunities for education at every stage of development. To assume that Christian education is only for children is to make faith sound like a childish endeavor. Indeed, we crave deep, living water our whole lives long.
What may look like play in a children’s classroom is the introduction of a God who finds joy in each and every child in our care. The sound of feet about to break through the ceiling is the expression of love in young people’s music and voices at children’s choir. What looks like a tasty meal for teens is a holy reminder of meals shared by Jesus and his friends in the Gospels. And what seems like adults in discussion is actually friendship being forged and spiritual nourishment given for the week ahead.
With Christian education, we are digging deep wells, we are inviting you to dive into this wide, expansive living water. Jump in. Join us. Drink from this well. See the Christian Education Booklet to learn about the ways you may grow in faith through education, fellowship, and discipleship throughout the 2024-25 church school year.
Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, VA is a vital congregation for people of all ages and circumstances seeking to know, love, and follow Christ.
Second Presbyterian Church Roanoke Welcomes You
Are you looking for ways to foster and nurture your family in an ever-changing world? Are you thinking about finding a church home? At Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, VA, our friendly staff and congregation strive to care for your family both spiritually and emotionally. To that end, this website is designed to ease the transition into the life of our church. Whether you decide to visit or join, we welcome you!
Meet our Pastors
Dr. George C. Anderson
Dr. George C. Anderson is the seventh Senior Pastor in the history of Second Presbyterian Church (Roanoke, VA). He began preaching at Second on February 22, 1998. Previously, he had been the Senior Minister at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and an Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN. He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Dr. Anderson is involved in every aspect of church life with an emphasis on preaching, teaching, visiting, and staff oversight.
George and his wife, Millie, have three daughters: Paige, Rachel, and Virginia. Virginia became a new mother to daughter Emory on November 1, 2017.
The Reverend Elizabeth N.H. Link
The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link joined the staff of Second Presbyterian in August 2011. She attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where she majored in history and religion: Christian education. Following graduation, she served First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, FL, as Director of Christian education, and subsequently recognized the call to ordained ministry. In 2009, Elizabeth earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Afterwards, she served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry, at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN.
Elizabeth is married to Chris Link, and the two welcomed their first child, Eleanor, in the spring of 2018.
The Reverend Benjamin S. Brannan
The Rev. Ben Brannan joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults in March 2021 following a two-year pastoral residency at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ben has a long tenure in youth development, spending six years as Assistant Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cherokee, coaching high school and club soccer for nine years, even spending three years as a part-time substitute teacher. Following a career change, he felt God’s call to pursue theological education and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. While in school, Ben served as Youth Minister and Pastoral Intern at Second Presbyterian in Richmond. He brings joy, creativity, and deep faith to all he does.
Ben is married to Valerie Brannan, and they welcomed their first son, Camden, in March 2022.