Philip D. Atkins is the youngest of four children born to Christian and Margaret Atkins (both deceased) of Bowling Green , Virginia .  He received his education in the Caroline School System.  He married Chandra Stevens on July 7, 1973 and to this union  God has blessed them with three children, Felicia, Derrick and Erica.  He currently has five grandchildren, Christian, Elise, Logan, Leah and Camryn.  He thanks God for his Aunt Myrtine Beasley, and all the saints along the way that have been an inspiration to him. 

 Pastor Atkins joined Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dawn, Virginia in August of 1975, under the pastorate of Dr. D. J. Ragland.  He received his call to preach the gospel in August 1984; was licensed to preach on September 29, 1985 and was ordained by the same church on February 1989, after being called to pastor the First Baptist Church , Elmont family in Ashland on December 10, 1988 .  Pastor Atkins was installed as Pastor of First Baptist on Sunday, May 21, 1989 .  

Pastor Atkins received his Bachelor's of Arts Degree from Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg , Virginia in May 1995.  He is a Charter Member of the Board of Directors for the Frog Level Rescue Squad; Past-Officer of the Heaven Bound Mass Choir; Graduate of the Richmond Technical School , HVAC Program; served as the Reedy Church District Representative and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Caroline County from 1992-1995.  He currently is employed by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as a HVAC Supervisor and is a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 First Lady Minister Chandra S. Atkins was born and raised in Caroline County , Virginia . She attended  Caroline Public Schools where she graduated in 1975 from the Bowling Green Senior High School . She is married to Rev. Philip Atkins , Pastor of First Baptist Church, Elmont  located in Ashland , Virginia . She is the mother of three children: Felicia, Derrick and Erica and a grandmother of five, Christian, Elise, Logan, Leah and Camryn. She received a degree in Early Childhood Education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in 2003. In addition, she is enrolled at The Virginia University of Lynchburg pursuing a degree in Religious Studies. She is President of the Ministers' Wives Fellowship of Caroline and Vicinity, member of the Rotary Club of Caroline County, Board Member of the Head Start Program of Caroline County,

Member of the Caroline County Family Day Care Association, owns and operates Family Home Day Care, and is a Born-Again Baptized Believer of the Lord Jesus Christ!