First Lady, Mrs. Vanessa D.J. Hilliard
Mrs. Vanessa D. J. Hilliard the sixth of seven children, was born to John W. Bass and Desarie H. Jones, in Washington, DC. Educated in the District of Columbia Public School System. Vanessa graduated from Mckinley High School in Washington, D. C. and attended Durham, College in North Carolina, and the University of Maryland at College Park Maryland.
Vanessa accepted Christ as her Personal Savior at The Rehoboth Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A servant at New Abundant Life Missionary Baptist Church where her husband Kenneth L. Hilliard, is the Pastor, Sister Hilliard is the Coordinator of the Christian Education and Evangelism Ministries. Director of Women’s Ministry, a Missionary, Teacher, and Praise leader. In addition to serving at her church, Sister Hilliard has taught at many CHURCHES and at conferences locally and nationally. She also served as the 35th President of the Baptist Minister’s Wives and Widows Association of Washington D. C. and Vicinity, and IS A lifetime member of the International Association of Minister’s Wives and Minister’s Widows, Inc. Vanessa has taught minister’s wives at the Baptist Educational Congress of D. C. and Vicinity. Vanessa also have served as Dean of the DC Association of Minister’s Wives and Minister’ Widows. She also has taught the Women’s Ministry at the Oakland Baptist Church, Alexandria VA.
Vanessa serves as the manager of the International Market and Bookstore for the Lott Carey Foreign Mission. She works with the Mission Study Dept. of Lott Carey.
As a fervent and jubilant exhorter of the Word of God, Sister Hilliard has been a blessing to all. With her passion for God and His people, she has challenged, provoked, and given hope to all who witness her ministry.
Vanessa has received several commendations during her 13-year tenure as a medical transcriber at Group Health-Humana Association. She is also the owner of and buyer of Lady Van Fashions.
Vanessa’s favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Her prescription for life, as well as her favorite hym is “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last.”
Vanessa and Pastor Hilliard have two children, Nikea LeeEtta and Kenneth Leroy-Wesley, and six active and adorable grandchildren