Blacksburg Church of christ Elders 

The Blacksburg Congregation of the Church is presently under the oversight of four elders 

Loy Burch 

Loy was born in New Mexico, attended High School in Kansas and college at Eastern New Mexico University where he majored in Bible at the Bible Chair. He holds  Bachelors and Masters degrees in Bible with minors in Biblical Languages and Special Education. He served as Minister throughout his High School and College years at Deerfield, Kansas and Broadview, New Mexico. Loy and Mary married during their college years and began their family. Loy was pulpit minister at Arnett, Oklahoma and Tucumcari, New Mexico. He taught Bible at Panhandle State University and at the extension college of Eastern New Mexico University at Tucumcari.

The Burch family moved to Blacksburg in 1973. Loy was the first Campus minister and served in that capacity for seven years, then was community minister until 1982 then resigned to work in Real Estate development. The Blacksburg church is actively involved in mission work in Hondruas, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Loy is serving as a board member of the Baxter Institute, a four year Bible college and medical clinic in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Baxter is having a great impact on all Latin countries. Students from eleven Latin nations study at the Baxter Institute to become evangelist’s in Latin countries.

Loy’s goal for the church is to grow a strong body which is steadfast in the Apostles’ teachings with each individual teaching and serving others by example and by sharing the Gospel of Christ with others.

"Chip" Worley, Jr. 

R.A. “Chip” Worley, Jr., a native Virginian, was born in Lynchburg, and spent his growing up years in Fredericksburg, before leaving to attend college at Virginia Tech where he graduated in 1971 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After a brief 18 months in Richmond working with the Department of Transportation, Chip returned to Blacksburg in late 1972 to work for Anderson & Associates, Inc., (A&A) a consulting engineering firm. He has been in Blacksburg ever since, although his consulting work has taken him to many areas of Virginia and nearby states. Chip now serves A&A in a semi-retired support role.

 Chip married Donna Kay Smith, who he met in high school in Fredericksburg. They were married in 1969, while still college students – Chip at Virginia Tech, and Donna at Radford University. Chip and Donna have three wonderful daughters, who are now grown and living elsewhere. Included in the current extended family are two sons in law and six grandchildren, five boys and one girl.

Chip was baptized into Christ in the summer of 1968 while a college student, and has served in churches in Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Blacksburg. He became an elder in 1994 and has continued with the present expanded eldership. Chip enjoys leading singing and Bible class teaching and cherishes the sharing of faith activities with other Christians. And of course, spending time with Donna and visiting his children and grandchildren. His hobbies include American history, travel, genealogy, and gardening.

Randall Burch

Randall Burch was born in Portales New Mexico and spent his early years in New Mexico and Oklahoma. Randall was baptised in October of his 5th grade year.

In 1973 he moved across the country to Blacksburg. After graduating from Blacksburg High School he began a career in the construction business.

In June 1980 he married Judy. Randall and Judy have 4 children 3 sons and 1 daughter, 3 Grandsons.

Randall and Judy have a deep love for high school and middle school students and enjoy spending time,and sharing their faith with young people.

In addition to young people, Randall loves to help people with problems of almost any type. (algebra or higher math problems excluded)

Randall’s hobbies include spending time with family boating, fishing, hunting, traveling, restoring old cars and trucks.  

SHANE LAVENDER

Shane lavender was born in Virginia, grew up in Florida, and moved back to Virginia in 1982. Shane married deanne Teel in 1984 and started s family. After graduating from radford university with an accounting degree, Shane began working as an accountant in 1988 and then as a CPA after earning that distinction. Shane continues to work in Blacksburg as a CPA at present. 

Shane attends Blacksburg Church of Christ where he served for 7 years as treasurer and now serves as an elder.  

Shane and deanne have 4 adult children, 3 grandchildren and reside in christiansburg.