About Us

East Stone Gap Baptist Church: A Legacy of Faith and Community

For over a century, East Stone Gap Baptist Church has been a cornerstone of this community. Established in 1896, the church began humbly in the home of a local family who envisioned a Baptist congregation serving their neighbors.

The original church building stood just 100 yards from our current location and served its purpose faithfully for more than 70 years. In 1970, a new church building was constructed, and it has been our cherished home ever since.

If you ask who we are, the word "family" truly defines us. We are a close-knit community of believers united by a shared purpose: to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve those around us. As proud members of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, we are honored to partner in Kingdom work across the globe.

We warmly invite you to join us in worship. Come and experience our fellowship, and see if East Stone Gap Baptist Church can be a home for your heart—a home for you and your family.

Pastor Dr. Lonnie W. Brooks

Pastor Lonnie Brooks accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord at the age of 18 after a close friend invited him to church. In his own words, "my life has never been the same."

If you ask Pastor Lonnie about his greatest passion, he’ll tell you it’s sharing Christ with those around him. His heart’s desire is for others to experience the same joy and salvation that comes from knowing Christ and calling upon His name.

Pastor Lonnie is married to Marci, the love of his life. The two met while attending Bible college and have since built a life centered on faith and ministry. Together, they have two grown children, Spencer and Shanley.

With over 40 years of full-time Christian ministry experience, Pastor Lonnie has faithfully served churches across Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia. His dedication to ministry is undergirded by a strong academic foundation:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College

  • Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

  • Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Pastor Lonnie’s lifelong commitment to sharing the gospel and serving others reflects his deep love for Christ and his desire to see lives transformed by God’s grace.