LEADERSHIP
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. James G. Daniely
Pastor
Rev. Daniely was appointed to Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church in July 2015. He is the 46th Pastor to be appointed to Roberts in its 188-year history. Rev. Daniely comes to Roberts after more than 20 years serving as a Campus Minister at Virginia State University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
A native of South Carolina, product of New York City public school systems, and a veteran of U.S. Air Force, Rev. Daniely is a graduate of Morgan State University (Magna Cum Laude, BA); then Virginia Union University, Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology (M. Div.), and finally, Union Theological Seminary & School of Christian Education (D. Min.). He has a passion for mission endeavors and has led missions, within the US (Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana,) and abroad to West Africa and the Caribbean (Dominican Republic & Haiti). He is an author: Hospitality: The Journey of Welcome; and In the Shadow of Giants (with Herbert V. Coulton).
Rev. Daniely is one who celebrates inclusivity. He defines this as celebrating the value of all persons, their gifts, and totally involving them in the work of the ministry, at least to the extent they are gifted and willing to accept. He is rooted in a belief that God has equipped everyone with gifts, believers as well as non-believers. He strives to influence believers, to learn to honor those gifts and use it for the glory of God and God’s world. His great joy is in witnessing all embrace and grow into the persons God created them to be.
Rev. Daniely deems it a great honor to serve God and to walk along with us as together we learn,teach, follow, and lead in this endeavor called faith. In his spare time he loves reading, bowling, golfing, and taking nature walks. You might spot him along any river in VA where he also enjoys watching for hawks and eagles, but especially eagles.
Rev. Daniely adopted a motto during ministry that says; “You Don't Have to Walk Alone!” He strives to model this sentiment throughout his ministry with careful instruction and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Daniely is the proud father of three adult children (two deceased), 7 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren!
Meet Our Musicians
Barry Black, II
Director of Music
Barry Black II – is an accomplished musician who is best known for his piano skills. He began studying piano at the age of five and developed his music talents early. His signature musical style began to take shape in high school where he played and sang in the choir, performing around the world and expanding his musical vision to include classical, jazz, and negro spirituals. He has performed with gospel artists around the world, including Tramaine Hawkins, Kurt Carr, Shirley Caesar, and Vashawn Mitchell, as well as choirs and worship teams in the US, including Jonathan Nelson and Sean Tillery and Changed.
Danny Villanueva
Musician
Danny Villanueva is an in-demand freelance drummer/percussionist who performs in the Washington, D.C. area. Danny has been a part of the Roberts Family for more than 10 years and we are regularly blessed by the range of his talent. Danny provides regular accompaniment to Sunday Worship and special services.
With over 75+ theatre shows to his credit he performs regularly at Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, and The Kennedy Center among many other top DC area theatres for regional and touring productions. A diverse percussionist, Danny has shared the stage with with a diverse range of artists including Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Ben Folds, J Quincy Jones, Yo Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Ben Vereen, Smokey Robinson, Idina Menzel, Olivia Newton John, Denyce Graves, Branford Marsalis, NAS, Michael Bolton, Bebe Neuwirth, Joss Stone, Martina McBride, Boyz II Men, Gloria Estefan, The Irish Tenors, Brian McKnight, and more.
Orchestrally he has performed with many of the area's leading orchestras including The National Symphony Orchestra (including national and international tours). Danny has had the privilege of working under some of the world's leading conductors including Mstislav Rostropovich, Christoph Eschenbach, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Leonard Slatkin, Michael Stern, Roberto Minczuk, Iván Fischer, André Previn, Hugh Wolff, Lorin Maazel, JoAnn Falletta, Mark Elder, and Hans Graf. Live television performances include "A Capitol Fourth" live on PBS with Phillip Phillips and Keala Settle!
Meet Our Leadership - Administrative Council Leadership
