Personal Philosophy: “Inspire Hope!”

I want everything I say, think, and do, to make a positive difference in the world, therefore I commit to live in such a way that I inspire hope in others.

Mission Statement

My mission is to teach, lead, and model what it means to live out of the abundance of God’s grace.

Legacy Statement

Life on earth is finite and it should not be wasted in pursuit of the ordinary. When my earthly life has ended and my family and friends consider my contributions to the world, I want my legacy to be:

 Intimacy with our Triune God
 A loving family
 Good humor
 Kindness toward all people

Code of Ethics

My aim in life if to always…

Love Passionately – It is my best opportunity to influence the world and fulfill my legacy.
Lead Courageously – It allows me to move beyond my comfort zone.
Live Optimistically – It allows me to overcome difficulties and leads others to do likewise.
Learn Daily – It will enable me to work more effectively and prevent mediocrity.
Labor Effectively – It will insure both high quality and plentiful productively from my work.
Listen Attentively – It allows me to lead, learn from, and love others.
Speak Honestly – It will prevent confusion and project credibility.
Play Joyfully – It will insure that I do not take myself too seriously.

Core Values

Love

Love is an action word of tremendous power that can change the world, so I freely share it with everyone without reservation or conditions.

Integrity
I will maintain the commitment to always aim at doing what is right.

Health
Since good health benefits everything else in my life, I will eat a proper diet, exercise regularly, and make adequate time for rest and relaxation.

Self Development

Since the world is changing at a rapid pace, I must continually take advantage of opportunities for personal development.

Humility

I will model the attitude of Jesus who lived as a servant-leader, rather than an empire builder.

Patience

I will not try to make people grow or change, but will create an environment where growth and change can flourish in their and God’s good timing.

Grace Orientation

I treat others with the same abundant love, acceptance, and inclusion with which God has treated me.

Intimacy With God

I chose to respond to God’s invitation to be in relationship over simply being religious.

Biblical Authority

I study the Bible as a love letter from God that can bring transformation, not as a sourcebook for religious information.

Teamwork

I seek to be a part of Spirit-led ministry teams.

Dependence on God

I take risks and act with courageous faith.

Outreach

I continually seek the best and most relevant methods for penetrating the world with the Gospel of grace.

Worship

I participate in worship that aims to honor God through expressions of gratitude and praise.

Dr. William Michael Nieporte Sr. (Bill) was born in Middletown, Connecticut on September 5, 1963. He became a believer at age nine under the ministry of the First Baptist Church of Ormond Beach, FL. Throughout his teenage years, Bill became an active participant in the life of the church, attending Bible Studies, Mission Trips, Youth Choir, and numerous other activities. Bill preached one of his first sermons at age 13 to a worship gathering with over 600 in attendance.

Feeling called by God to enter the ministry, Bill pursued this call through studies at Stetson University, Deland Florida. While a student at Stetson, he served as a Student Summer Missionary in Canada. He also spent two summers in youth ministry at The College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, FL and The First Baptist Church of Palatka, FL.

Following graduation from Stetson University, Bill attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he concurrently served two rural congregations. While in seminary, he met Jeana Murray, a fellow student. The two were married in 1989 and now have two children.

Michelle, age 20, is good student and a gifted actor and public speaker with an interest in culture and the arts. She is an independent person with a gentle heart for the downtrodden. She is a recent High School graduate and attending Randolph-Macon College in the fall of 2009.

Michael, age 15, is an extremely intelligent child, full of positive energy and a desire to learn. He is very talkative and energetic. He is a bonifide math and technology whiz, and plays the French Horn, Melophone, and Trumpet.

Jeana is a gifted minister, preacher, and educator. Currently she is employed by Huntington Learning Center as an Associate Director.

In 1997, Bill completed the Doctor of Ministry degree at the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.

Bill is a certified Life Coach and certifide NLP Practioner

Education

1997 – Doctor of Ministry, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC
1989 – Master of Divinity, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
1985 – Bachelor of Arts, Stetson University, Deland, Florida
1981 – Diploma, Mainland High School, Daytona Beach, FL

Congregational Leadership

2007 – Now Pastor, Patterson Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond, VA
2000 – 2007 Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Marionville, VA
1996 – 2000 Pastor, Unity Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC
1989 – 1996 Pastor, Morattico Baptist Church, Kilmarnock, VA
1985 – 1989 Pastor, Valley City Church, Valley City, IN
1985 – 1989 Pastor, Salem Church, Albany, IN
1985 Youth Minister, Christ Evangelical, Louisville, KY
1984 Summer Youth Minister, First Baptist, Palatka, FL
1983 Ministry Intern, College Park Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida
1982 Summer Youth Missionary to Canada, Florida Baptist Convention

Denominational Leadership

2009 – 2011 Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Committee on Boards & Committees, Chair
2009 – 2010 Richmond Baptist Association, Budget Committee, Chair
2004 – 2006 Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Chair, Courageous Churches Committee
2006 – 2008 Baptist General Association of Virginia, Chair, Christian Life Committee
2004 – 2006 Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Executive Committee
2002 – 2006 Accomac-Northampton Baptist Association, Virginia Baptist Mission Board
2002 – 2006 Accomac-Northampton Baptist Association, Discipleship Director
2002 – 2004 Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Young Leaders Program
2003 – 2004 Baptist General Association of Virginia, Program Committee, Co-Chair
1995 – 1996 Baptist General Association of Virginia, Religious Liberty Committee, Chair
1994 – 1995 Baptist General Association of Virginia, Evangelism Task Force
1993 – 1995 Rappahanock Baptist Association, Discipleship Director

Publications

Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Sermon, “Ain’t It Awful?” www.consideryourcall.org
The Religious Herald, Guest Editorial, “CP Power”
The Religious Herald, Guest Editorial, Kingdom Advance 2.0
The Biblical Recorder, Sunday School Literature
The Religious Herald, Sunday School Literature
Doctoral Thesis, “The Challenge of Post-Modernism: An Anabaptist Response”
Baptist Today, Sunday School Literature

Honors And Awards

Virginia Union Seminary, Evans-Smith Leadership Institute Instructor
The duPont Foundation, Professional Development Grant
The Patillo Foundation, Middle East Travel Award

Civic Involvement

American Red Cross of the Eastern Shore, Board Of Directors
Lighthouse Ministries Homeless Shelter, Board Of Directors