Reverend Dr. Robert L. Hobbs

A Life of Calling, Commitment, and Faithful Service

Reverend Dr. Robert L. Hobbs, the youngest of nine children, first sensed God’s call to ministry at just eleven years old. Over the next twelve years, that call deepened until June 1975, when he preached his initial sermon and was licensed into the Gospel Ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Boone.

A Journey of Leadership

Metropolitan Baptist Church recognized Dr. Hobbs’ gifts early. He was elected Assistant Pastor in 1977 and ordained in 1979, gaining extensive experience-including serving as acting pastor during Rev. Boone’s absences. In November 1999, the congregation voted him Pastor-elect, and on January 1, 2000, he became the church’s ninth pastor. His formal installation followed on March 12, 2000.

Accomplishments Under His Leadership

Under Dr. Hobbs’ guidance, Metropolitan Baptist Church has grown spiritually, structurally, and educationally. His leadership has led to:

  • Creation of the Media Booth and Media Ministry
  • Addition of a Conference Room
  • Renovation of the Men’s Restrooms and addition of a second Ladies’ Restroom
  • Purchase of land on County Street and Tyne Street
  • Acquisition of a Handicap Bus
  • Installation of a full video system
  • Founding of the Testament Bible Institute, offering certificates, diplomas, and online/hybrid courses in ministry studies.

Dr. Hobbs has also ordained twelve Associate Ministers, all of whom continue to serve under his leadership.

Metropolitan joined the Southern Baptist Association in 2015, participating in Black Church Leadership events in Ridgecrest, NC. In 2017, Dr. Hobbs served as a facilitator during a teaching session there.

The church honored his 16th and 25th pastoral anniversaries with a banquet in 2015 and 2024, celebrating his faithful leadership and presenting a framed portrait of Pastor Hobbs and First Lady, now displayed in the church vestibule.

Educational Excellence

Dr. Hobbs’ academic journey reflects both discipline and devotion. He attended Norfolk State College before entering ministry and later pursued studies at:

  • Union Christian Bible Institute
  • School of Theology at Virginia Union University
  • Thomas Edison College
  • Columbia Pacific University

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with minors in management, counseling, and history.

His graduate studies continued at Liberty University School of Theology and Southern California Graduate School of Theology, culminating in a combined Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Bible Studies.

He later earned a Doctor of Ministry from Norfolk Theological Seminary and a Juris Doctorate from Breyer State University, along with a Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management from Old Dominion University.

Military and Professional Service

Dr. Hobbs served ten years in the U.S. Army Reserve as Assistant Chaplain and Acting Chaplain, followed by service in the Virginia Defense Force of the Virginia Army National Guard, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after twenty-five combined years of service.

He also built a distinguished engineering career with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the City of Chesapeake, retiring as Traffic Operations Superintendent.

Community Leadership

Civically engaged and deeply committed to Suffolk’s well being, Dr. Hobbs has served on:

  • The Welfare Advisory Board
  • The Early Childhood Commission
  • The Suffolk Schools Advisory Board
  • The Fine Arts Commission

He is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Suffolk MLK Memorial Foundation.

He has also been active in regional ministerial organizations since 1976, including the Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association, where he served as Moderator. In 2015, he was elected Historian of the Virginia Baptist State Convention.

Family & Faith

Family has always been central in Dr. Hobbs’ life. He was blessed with fifty-two and a half years of marriage to Reverend Susie Eley Hobbs until her passing in 2024. They share two sons and one daughter.

He is now joyfully joined in matrimony to Stephanie Lynne Hobbs, Metropolitan’s First Lady, gaining an additional son through their union.

A Pastor’s Heart

Dr. Hobbs’ lifelong motto remains a guiding truth for his ministry and his people:

“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.”

 

 

 

Our Pastor