New Genesis Baptist Church

Pastor Melvin Cotton Jr. is a native of Portsmouth, VA. He is the son of Myra A. Cotton and the late Melvin Cotton Sr. He is a graduate of I.C. Norcom High School located in Portsmouth, VA. Rev. Cotton received a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion from Liberty University and received both a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree from Virginia Union University’s, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Rev. Cotton was licensed and ordained during his tenure at Grove Baptist Church Vision of Truth Ministries while under the tutelage of Pastor Dr. Melvin O. Marriner. While at Grove Baptist Church he was a member of the “Keepers of the Flame” ministerial team. Rev. Cotton served as lead trio of Grove’s Restoration Ministry that focused on reaching out to those rebuilding their lives through spiritual guidance. This man of God humbly served as an Armor Bearer to the Senior Pastor. He also served as the coordinator for Grove’s Paint Your Heart Out Ministry and Grove’s AWESOME Ministry, which provided Christian education for children through biblical teachings, art and music. Rev. Cotton has a passion for the youth and he frequently speaks at various schools and youth programs across Hampton Roads. He is a youth mentor with strong ties to I.C. Norcom High School students. He is a volunteer chaplain at Sentara Obici Hospital and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Although Rev. Cotton has many accomplishments and accolades they are not his main concern. His heart’s desire is to preach and teach the unadulterated Word of God with the hope of transforming lives. He stands firmly on Galatians 1: 11-12, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Rev. Cotton looks at himself not as a product of his environment, but a survivor of his environment. His mission is to speak life to and reach out to those considered to be unreachable. Pastor Cotton is the husband of Minister Lakeesha M. Cotton. They have four children Yazmine, Melvin, Keyana and Caleb. The Cotton family currently resides in Chesapeake, VA.