Pastor William D. Tyree, III is a native of Ahoskie, North Carolina; however he was reared in Norfolk by the late Pastor William D. Tyree, Jr. and Mrs. Josephine Irving Tyree.  Pastor William D. Tyree, III  began his first Pastorate by being installed as the 13^th Shepherd of Historic First Baptist Church, Berkley in Norfolk, VA.  He has been the pastor there for twelve years.  He brings to First Baptist a visionary approach to ministry with an emphasis in “Reaching Lost Humanity and Equipping the Saved for Service”.  Because of his passion in this area of ministry, he has declared that his primary mission is for the people of God to embrace the vision to impact the world of Christ.

Pastor Tyree has been blessed as he has waited upon the Lord for direction while pursuing his destiny.  Before succeeding his father, who was pastor for over 30 years at FBCB, God was preparing him to accept his call to ministry.  In 1983 he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  He was commissioned in that same year as an Ensign in the United States Navy.  After serving for thirteen years, his highest rank upon separation of the United States Navy was Lieutenant Commander.  In 1988, Rev. Tyree accepted his call to ministry and began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As the Lord led him, and ordered his steps, he began assisting his father in 1992.  He felt the need for greater preparation and began to seek the Lord.  It was during that time the hand of God began performing miraculously in his life and his direction toward ministry was more evident.  In 1996, he was called to Pastor First Baptist Church, Berkley.  After accepting what God had already ordained, he entered the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, and attained a Master of Divinity degree, Magna Cum Laude, in 1999.  God also afforded him the opportunity to enter Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA where he attained a Master of Theology degree in 2001.  In 2002, his leadership was recognized and he was conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Eastern Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, VA.

Pastor Tyree’s vision has been one that thrust the church family and community at large in Berkley to a new dimension.  Under his anointed leadership, the church has reached great heights.  BBBS or Brown Bag Bible Study (lunch time) and Tuesday night Bible Study were instituted; assisting the homeless by providing seven days of housing annually through NEST (Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team); the expansion of the church picnic to a community-wide activity; the FBCB Viewer, a monthly newsletter; the Celebrating Recovery ministry; the Uniquely Gifted Ministry for mentally and/or physically challenged members; licensing of seven sons and a daughter in the ministry to evangelize and preach the gospel, and the revamping of the tape ministry which is now the continuous source of income for the William D. Tyree, Jr. Scholarship Fund.  Walking in the vision that Pastor Tyree was given, the church entered into a 3.0 million dollar renovation of the facility.  We now have improved lighting, new carpet and pews, improved heating and air conditioning, three new bathrooms, updated audio and visual capabilities, a new entry area with lobby, a new administrative office wing, and a new information kiosk area. 

Pastor Tyree has a tremendous passion for youth and young adults.  To that end, he has spent countless hours shaping the youth programs of the church which has resulted in an incredible atmosphere of excitement, enthusiasm and empowerment.  It is his goal to see every young person reach their full potential in life, and strive for success with passion, power and persistence.  To help achieve these goals, a worship service for young adults and the praise dance  and youth choir ministries were established; in addition, Pastor has instituted several programs including CAPABLE (Career Achievers Promoting Accomplishment by Learning Example), FiBAM (Fit Bodies and Minds) and YOAM (Youth on a Mission). 

Pastor Tyree has also instilled in FBCB the need to be an outreach ministry.  The church seeded monetary assistance to victims of the following devastations: Hurricane Mitch in Central and South America; Hurricane Floyd in Princeville, North Carolina;  the tsunami earthquake by way of World Vision in Asia and Africa;  and Hurricane Katrina by way of World Vision.  The church also established a Katrina Relief Task Force to assist victims relocating to the Hampton Roads area following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.  Pastor Tyree led a 10 member mission team to Jamaica, spending a week teaching VBS and nightly evangelistic services which led to sponsoring three churches in Jamaica, sending school supplies and equipping them with computers.  Once he led his first mission trip, the heavens opened and he has since led numerous other trips to Jamaica, India and Kenya.  His efforts of discipleship go beyond FBCB.  His

vision to see the people of Hampton Roads come together led to HOPE for Hampton Roads, a six day crusade held at Harbor Park in Norfolk which caused a spiritual explosion in the community.  His efforts proved pleasing to God and HOPE for Hampton Roads has been established as an annual crusade.

Pastor Tyree’s leadership expands outside of First Baptist Church, Berkley.  He has dedicated and committed himself to the communities of the Hampton Roads area.  He is a man who stands steadfast with the vision God has given him and he makes sure that the vision is spread abroad.

Pastor Tyree has served or is serving in the following capacities:

▪ Chairman of the African American Program Committee (Greater Hampton Roads area) for the American Association for Diabetes

▪ Member, Board of Directors for the American Diabetes Association

▪ Treasurer, Governance Board for Empowerment 2010

▪ Executive Committee for Empowerment 2010

▪ Chairman, Neighborhood Development Committee for Empowerment 2010

▪ Citizens Advisory Committee for Empowerment 2010

▪ Member, Greater Hampton Roads Chapter of United States Naval Academy Alumni Association

▪ Member and Doctrine Instructor, Sunday School & Baptist Training Union Congress of Virginia

▪ Member, Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association

▪ Director for Norfolk State University Foundation

▪ Chairman, Development Committee for Norfolk State University Foundation Board

▪ Vice Chairman, Norfolk State University Foundation Board of Directors for Major Gifts Campaign:  Initiatives for the Future

▪ Honorary Doctor of Divinity, 2002, Eastern Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA

▪ Member, Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Virginia

▪ Adult/Youth Ministry Coordinator of Tidewater Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Virginia

▪ President & Founder of W. D. Tyree Ministries, Inc.

▪ Founder of the H.O.P.E. for Hampton Roads, an annual Evangelistic Crusade in an effort to reach the unsaved in Hampton Roads.

▪ Board member for HIS 1040, a missions ministry spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the uttermost parts of the world

In fifteen short years he has been an asset to not only FBCB but also the body of Christ at large.  We have seen God use our Pastor to lead us from Vision to Victory in spiritual empowerment, ministry enhancement, evangelism outreach and in the expansion of our facilities.  God has gifted us with one of the most awesome pastor teacher, preachers of this generation.  He is a tremendous visionary leader who has guided our congregation into a victorious place of ministry and growth, and God is using him to see souls saved and lives changed!  He has walked in this vision with his beautiful wife, Shirley Hunter Tyree.  Pastor William D. Tyree, III is an anointed vessel of God who has a passion to serve and be a blessing to God's people.