Leadership
Dorothy loves Jesus and His Church and loves serving as pastor of Sojourners Church. Her husband, Brandon, and their three children, Caroline, Keith, and Sarah Beth, each played an important role in launching Sojourners. The Hoods moved to Chesapeake in 2020 for Brandon’s career as a Navy chaplain and are blessed to put down roots as they approach his military retirement.
Dorothy has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from King University in TN (2004) and a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in MA (2007). She has served churches in Argentina, MA, NC, and VA, and is thankful to call Chesapeake home.
Pastor
Dorothy Hood
Lauren Rish
Lauren, originally from Oahu, Hawaii, started attending Sojourners Church in early 2026 after moving to the area for her husband’s Navy career. Lauren is a licensed teacher with a B.Ed. in Elementary Education (2017) and M.S.Ed in Reading and Literacy Instruction (2025). During the school year, she works as a substitute in local public schools. At her previous ECO Presbyterian church, Lauren served as a deacon and later an elder from 2017-2022. She currently sits on the board of directors for Hawaiian Islands Ministries, a Christian non-profit in Hawaii.
Administrator
Rachel Garza
Rachel grew up in Beaverton, Oregon, in a Christian home and accepted Christ at a young age. Through different seasons of life, God used the Church, close friends, and ministry leaders to strengthen her faith and draw her closer to Him.
After attending college in Hawaii for a year and a half, Rachel joined the Navy. During a nine-month deployment in 2019, she became involved with the ship’s Religious Ministry Program, serving alongside the chaplain and assisting with worship services, prayer groups, and other ministry programs. This experience helped lead her toward a calling in ministry and chaplaincy.
Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry in 2025 and is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity with a focus in Christian Chaplaincy and Leadership while serving in the Navy Reserve. She is grateful for her husband's support and has a passion for serving every generation, sharing the love of God, and helping others grow in the truth of His Word.
Children’s Ministry Intern
We are thankful for our Oversight Team who give of their time to serve as our church grows.
Jim Wesson, Elder, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Gloucester, VA
Jessica Long, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, VA
Hank Kuhlman, Elder, Community West Church, Henrico, VA