ABOUTUS
A LIVING HISTORY
“A Church with a Mission and Vision”
God revealed the vision for Second Baptist Church of Martinez,
California in 1962 to Sis. Lutherine Winston-Trammel. The founding
members — Rev. Handley, Sis. Trammel and her children, Sis. Perry
Matthew, the late Rev. John Morrison, Sis. Bollenton, and Sis.
McCullough — began worshipping in homes, embodying a faith
that was intimate, determined, and full of the Holy Ghost.
As the Spirit moved, the church grew. From 1963 to 1964,
new families joined, including the Bryants, Boyds, Johnsons,
and others. After early leadership by Rev. Jenkins, the church
called Rev. Walter L. Polk as pastor. Worship services transitioned
to basements and union halls before the congregation raised
enough to purchase and renovate a storage building at 2710
Pacheco Blvd. Local churches lent support, and the ministry
was nurtured by Pastor Polk and his wife, Starr Alberta Polk.
In 1990, Rev. Keith B. Williams answered the call to pastor
Second Baptist. Under his leadership and a shared vision of
prayer and perseverance, the congregation purchased the current
church home at 1020 Las Juntas Street in downtown
Martinez in 1998.
In 2011, Rev. Williams returned to his home church in Los Angeles.
Rev. Delores McCrary served faithfully as Lead Minister during
the transition, and in 2014, the church elected Rev. Ray
Montgomery as pastor. He brought a renewed focus on the Trinity,
the preached Word, discipleship, and equipping the saints.
A New Chapter: Growth and Global
Impact Under Bishop Julius X. Van Hook
In November 2024, as Rev. Montgomery transitioned to Florida to
care for his aging parents, the congregation prayerfully and
unanimously elected Bishop Julius X. Van Hook as Senior Pastor,
alongside First Lady Rev. Alexandria Van Hook. Under their dynamic
leadership, Second Baptist Church has entered a powerful season
of exponential growth, renewed relevance, and impactful outreach.
We are a Spirit-filled, civic-minded, and justice-oriented
congregation, boldly proclaiming the Gospel and embodying
God’s love in action. Our worship is vibrant, our preaching is
prophetic, and our teaching is both theologically grounded and
culturally relevant.
Bishop Julius Xavier Van Hook is a pastor, chaplain, and ecclesial leader whose ministry is marked by a commitment to spiritual care, public witness, and the transformation of communities. He serves as Senior Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Martinez, Director of Spiritual Care and Interfaith Juvenile Chaplain for the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Executive Director of ICHANGE (Interfaith Chaplaincy Affirming a New Generation of Excellence).
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Bishop Van Hook holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management with a minor in Biblical Studies from Patten University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. He is currently a candidate for the Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Theology from Bell Grove Theological Seminary and has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education.
He was ordained in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and later consecrated to the episcopacy within the Kingdom Dynasty Fellowship of Churches International. His ministry has extended across the United States and internationally to Ethiopia, Nigeria, China, Australia, Israel, and South Africa.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Van Hook has labored at the intersection of church and community, offering leadership across congregational, governmental, and healthcare contexts. His work has centered particularly on the care, restoration, and advocacy of justice-involved youth and their families, as well as the cultivation of leaders for sustainable and transformative impact.
His ministry has been recognized by both faith-based and civic institutions, including honors from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for leadership in supporting young people navigating mental health challenges, recognition as a “40 Under 40” honoree by The Whole Truth Magazine of the Church of God in Christ, and the “In the Spirit Award” for outstanding community leadership and transformative impact. He is also a distinguished member of Alpha Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
He has completed a fellowship with Green The Church and has contributed to civic and faith-based leadership initiatives, including those connected to the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC) and the Philos Black Alumni Advisory Board.
Bishop Van Hook is the author of Do It With Dignity: A 30-Day Guide to Let Go of What Holds You Back. His ministry reflects a deep commitment to faithful leadership, compassionate service, and the formation of communities grounded in justice, dignity, and hope.
He is joined in life and ministry by his wife, Rev. Alexandria Geoi Van Hook, and together they are devoted to holistic ministry, social transformation, and the building of thriving communities rooted in love and justice.
Rev. Alexandria Geoi Van Hook is a preacher, educator, and faith leader whose ministry is marked by a commitment to spiritual formation, justice, and the work of healing communities. She serves as First Lady and Associate Minister of Second Baptist Church of Martinez, where she shares in the ministry of the church alongside her husband, Bishop Julius Xavier Van Hook.
Rev. Van Hook serves as Executive Program Manager of ICHANGE (Interfaith Chaplaincy Affirming a New Generation of Excellence), where she provides spiritual care and contributes to the development of programs supporting justice-involved youth and young adults throughout Contra Costa County.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Justice, Community, and Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California and the Master of Divinity degree from the Berkeley School of Theology, with a concentration in Spirituality and Resilience. Her theological formation is informed by womanist theology, liberation ethics, and restorative justice. She was licensed and ordained into the Gospel Ministry by the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California.
Rev. Van Hook has completed a fellowship with Green The Church and was recognized as a Boisen Scholar by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Her ministry has extended across interfaith and ecumenical contexts, including service in South Africa and Ethiopia.
Her work reflects a sustained commitment to the spiritual and emotional care of individuals and communities, particularly those in underserved and system-impacted contexts. Through preaching, teaching, and service, she continues to bear witness to a ministry grounded in hope, dignity, and transformation.
Second Baptist Church Organizational Chart (2024–2025)
Bishop Julius X. Van Hook, Senior Pastor & Moderator
First Lady & Associate Pastor Rev. Alexandria Van Hook
Pastoral & Ministerial Leadership
Associate Ministers:
Rev. Delores McCrary
Rev. Benjamin Jennings
Minister Ronald Redmond
(Recovery Ministry)
Minister Lynette Marie Hill
Deacons and Deaconess Board
Deacon David Harris, Chairman & Assistant Moderator
Deacon Bobby Boyd
Deacon Clarine Merritt, Church Administrator
Deaconess Jackie Redmond
Missionary Lisa Conner-Boyd
Mothers Board
Mother Denise Van Hook
(Church Mother)
Mother Esther Miller
(Church Mother Emerita)
Mother Bette Ferguson
Rev. Delores McCrary
Trustees & Administration
Board of Trustees:
Deacon Clarine Merritt
Sister Cheryl Harrison
Sister Teresa Green
Rev. Delores McCrary
Church Clerk: Vacant
Facilities Manager:
Deacon Bobby Boyd
Worship, Media & Arts
Minister Damonte Ferguson – Musician
Sister Jacque Archie –
Usher Ministry
Benjamin White McCrary –
Media Ministry
Auxiliaries
Men of Faith & Action (MOFA) – Deacon Bobby Boyd
Sisters Who Care (SWC) –
Missionary Lisa Conner-Boyd
Sista 2 Sista Support Group – Deaconess Jackie Redmond
Convalescent Ministry –
Sister Cindy Parks
Recovery Ministry –
Minister Ronald Redmond
Ministry Departments
Christian Education –
Rev. Delores McCrary
Children, Youth & Young Adults – Vacant
Discipleship & Assimilation –
Vacant
Missions & Evangelism –
Missionary Lisa Conner-Boyd