Press Releases

Washington, DC – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today welcomed Reverend Elizabeth Evans Hagan, Senior Pastor at Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston, Va., as a U.S. Senate guest chaplain. Senator Webb had nominated Reverend Hagan for the honor of delivering the morning prayer in the Senate chamber.

“Through the many ministries and programs at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Reverend Hagan has made a profound impact on the lives of many members of my constituency,” said Senator Webb. “I am certain that she will continue to guide her congregation for many years to come, and I look forward to seeing the direction of Washington Plaza under her leadership.”

Reverend Hagan was ordained to the pastoral ministry by Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC and has been with the Washington Plaza Baptist Church since 2009. She has received post-graduate fellowships for continued learning as a Lewis Fellow for Church Leadership at Wesley Seminary and for exploring her vocation at the Collegeville Institute's Writing and the Pastoral Life seminar.  She holds a degree in education from Samford University, and received her Master of Divinity from Duke University.  

A photo of Senator Webb and Rev. Hagan is available here. Video of Rev. Hagan’s morning prayer is available here.


Below is the full text of Senator Webb’s statement for the record:

Mr. President, I rise today to speak about today’s guest chaplain, the Reverend Elizabeth Evans Hagan, Senior Pastor at Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston, Virginia.  I am pleased to welcome Rev. Hagan and her husband, Kevin, to the United States Senate today.

Rev. Hagan holds a degree in education from Samford University, and received her Master of Divinity in 2006 from Duke University.  Prior to serving at Washington Plaza, Rev. Hagan served as Associate Pastor for Education and Youth at First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and several pastoral internships in Alabama, North Carolina, and Washington, DC.  She is passionate about building a strong community of faith, and has traveled extensively to places such as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Burma, Thailand and Argentina.

Since March of 2009, Rev. Hagan has led the large and growing congregation at Washington Plaza, which includes a large African-American, Chinese, and growing Hispanic representation. It is welcoming and affirming of all people, and a church where seekers feel at home.  

Through the many ministries and programs at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Rev. Hagan has made a profound impact on the lives of many members of my constituency.  I am certain that she will continue to guide her congregation for many years to come, and I look forward to seeing the direction of Washington Plaza under her leadership.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.