Staff

The Rev. Robert J. Whitaker, Ph.D.
Rector

Father Robert Whitaker is the founding pastor of St. John's Church. A native Virginian, he has served traditional Anglican parishes in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Louisiana. He began ordained ministry in 1991, serving as the curate and first full-time rector of Christ Church, Warrenton, VA, from 1992 to 1995.

He graduated with a B.A. and High Honors in English from the College of William and Mary in 1983. He was also awarded the Dr. Murray Braderman Borish Prize as the College's most outstanding senior English major of that year.

Following several years of employment as a professional editor and technical writer, he attended Princeton University from 1987 to 1991 as a Jacob K. Javits Fellow, obtaining both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English language and literature. The focus of his studies was early modern and Renaissance culture and religion, and his Ph.D. dissertation examined the intersection of faith, ministry, and art in the 17th-century Anglican priest and poet George Herbert.

In addition to his studies at Princeton, he trained for the ministry in a full-time, two-year Diocesan Training Program and internship under the Rev. Canon Stephen J. Dibble (M.Div., Nashotah House) and the late Archbishop John T. Cahoon (M.Div, Church Divinity School of the Pacific). He took courses in theology at Holyrood Seminary in Liberty, NY and is currently completing a master of divinity degree in the School of Divinity at Regent University.

With a background in the Episcopal Church, he joined the Anglican Catholic Church in 1979.

He lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Kathryn, and son, Andrew.

The Rev. Brian K. Waite, M.Div., Ph.D.
Former Priest Associate and Chaplain-in-Residence

From 2004 to 2007, St. John's was blessed to have the Rev. Dr. Brian K. Waite as a priest associate and chaplain-in-residence. A full-time U.S. Navy chaplain, Father Brian is a long-time pastor of large churches, the author of several books, and the Father Francis P. Duffy Distinguished Professor of Military Ministries at the Graduate Theological Foundation in Southbend, IN.

While stationed in Hampton Roads, Father Brian served as the Deputy Director, Head of Training and Operations for the Operational Ministry Center, as well as Command Chaplain for the Naval Submarine Support Center.

Chaplain Waite is also recognized as one of the foremost traumatologists in the nation, holding certification as a Field Traumatologist with the International Traumatology Institute at the University of South Florida. He holds Diplomat status with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and has served as point person for Harvard University’s Crisis Response portion of the Kennedy School of Government’s National Securities Program.

From August 2002 to July 2004 Dr. Waite served with the 2nd Marine Division in Camp LeJeune, NC. It was from there that he deployed to combat operations in Iraq with Task Force Tarawa, for which he was decorated for Valor.

In the civilian sector, Chaplain Waite served as the Senior Pastor of a 3,600 member church. He has authored four books and numerous articles on a variety of subjects, and has lectured at numerous universities and seminaries worldwide.

He has appeared as a keynote speaker for the National Governor's Conference, served as a consultant for the State of Oklahoma's Department of Homeland Security in the area of Crisis Response, and was the featured guest panelist on a series of nationally syndicated National Public Radio specials.

Largely due to the events of 9/11, Chaplain Waite felt compelled to return to active duty as a United States Navy Chaplain, sensing an overwhelming call to serve his country as well as God.

Chaplain Waite holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies, an M.Div. in Biblical Languages (Hebrew and Greek), an M.B.A. in International Relations (with an emphais on Middle Eastern affairs), a D.Min. in Religious Studies, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology.

Chaplain Waite's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" and two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, as well as numerous Unit and Service medals and ribbons.