Technology Ministry

In the late nineties Virginia Public School system mandated educators to become computer literate by Year 2000. James Madison University Outreach Division offered computer literacy courses for educators in this geographical area. Ann Wrenn developed and taught Computer literacy classes at Diamond Hill Baptist Church during that time. She taught a state certification graduate course, Basic Computer, at Job Corp. that was offered by James Madison University (JMU).

The Diamond Hill computer literacy classes were taught on the 3rd floor of the church.  JMU provided 15 Dell computer loaded with Microsoft operating system XP and Microsoft Office 2007 software. Diamond Hill Baptist Church and JMU had an agreement to set up a Computer Lab at Diamond Hill. JMU provided the equipment to setup the Computer Lab for graduate computer literacy classes.  Diamond Hill provided the classroom and utilities and (later the Internet) so it could offer computer literacy classes to the church members and community.

The following people were instrumental in starting this program: Rev. Hayward Robinson, Rev. Willie Smith, Sam Hughes, Robert Duke, Melvin Alexander Lewis Wrenn (Alex) and Michael Payne, electrician. The ministers, head deacon and head trustee of the church gave me tremendous support, guidance and encouragement because they foresaw the profound benefit these classes offered to the church and community. Melvin A. L Wrenn was helpful working with me to see if Verizon was available in the Diamond Hill area. He took two of the computers and installed the wireless card, but because of the thick wall, we were unable to get wireless connection at the church. Michael Payne installed Ethernet cables for broadband connection. However, after the cables were installed, miraculously the two wireless computers worked, Divine Favors!

Typing, Microsoft Office with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and basic computer classes were taught to youth and adults over the last 18 years. Children from Diamond Hill Baptist Church and White Rock Baptist Church, grandchildren of church members and children from parts of the city, ages 7 through 12, participated in the TechieCamp summer program. Younger children ages 6 and 7 participated KiddyType program. They learned the keys by watching demonstrations, typing from the video screen and age appropriate textbooks. Senior citizens learned basic computer skills and navigation in classes that were taught from Year 2000 to the present. Persons who helped in the summer camps were Richard and Lucy Hicks, Darlene Burton, Consuella Woods, Eugene Gwathmey, and Melvin Wrenn.

Members of BGAP Executive Board, Richard and Lucy Hicks were very helpful in supplying assistance in the classroom. Mrs. Hicks decorated the room and made the classroom conducive to learning. Mr. Hicks was our photographer and handy man. Mrs. Burton was helpful with the devotional period at the beginning of each TechieType class. Mrs. Woods  provided delicious and nutritious lunches for the children. Mr. Gwathmey, Chairman of the Trustee Board, and Mr. Wrenn were the doorkeepers, who not only made certain the doors were unlocked in the mornings and locked in the afternoons, but made sure the computers were secured and that the room was pleasant and favorable for use each day. Through the efforts of the above mentioned people, Diamond Hill Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, was the first black church to offer technology to the church and community. May we continue to improve our church and community through the work we do. Several JMU graduate classes were in the DHBC/JMU computer lab. Others were taught at the Old Dominion Job Corp in Monroe, Virginia. Over 15 years, JMU restocked the lab with reconditioned computers with free maintenance. The last load of 30 computers was brought to Diamond Hill under the then new leadership of Rev. Warren Anderson. We appreciate the kindness and generosity shown to us by JMU.

Computer classes are still offered, but now with a limited number of computers. Eight computers are available in the lab and that is a very nice size for a computer class. Watch for announcements about new classes.