Sparks has been pastor of Second church for 21 years. Before moving to Richmond he served churches in Nashville, Tenn., and Jacksonville, Fla., and was an urban minister in Roanoke, Va. He is a graduate of Davidson College and Union Seminary in Virginia (now Union-PSCE). Davidson College awarded him the Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1991 for his service to the city through a local congregation.
Sparks remains a member of the Iona Community in Scotland, which he joined in 1965. He is currently co-moderator of the worship work group for the Committee on Local Arrangements of the Presbytery of the James, which is hosting the 216th General Assembly. Sparks is married to Annette Smith Sparks, organist and director of music at Union-PSCE. They have two daughters.
