Dr. Luke E. Torian
Dr. Luke E. Torian, a native of Roxboro, North Carolina has dedicated his life to helping others through ministry and public service. His strong belief in education and preparation motivated him to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University, followed by graduate studies at both the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the School of Theology at Virginia Union University where he completed his Masters of Divinity degree. In 1987, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from the School of Divinity at Howard University.
Throughout his 35-year career in ministry, Dr. Torian has served several churches and ministries in the capacities of youth minister, associate pastor, chaplain, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Area Director and Pastor. In June of 1995, Dr. Torian was installed as Pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church (FMZBC) in Dumfries, VA. where he currently serves a congregation of 4500. Dr. Torian’s dedication to ministry, leadership and community service has been recognized by others. In 2002, he was awarded the James Floyd Jenkins Pillar of Faith Award from Howard University for outstanding contributions to his church and the community. In the fall of 2003 and 2004, Dr. John Maxwell, renowned expert in leadership development, selected Dr. Torian as one of 50 leaders from across the country to participate in his prestigious leadership institute in Atlanta. In 2004, he was appointed to the Virginia Board of Counseling by Governor Mark Warner.
Dr. Torian is a community leader in Prince William County and has been involved with organizations such as the Creative and Performing Arts Center (CPAC), Project Mend A House, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), an organization designed to alleviate hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence in the community. Dr. Torian is a founder of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), an organization dedicated to bringing people together to make positive change. Dr. Torian’s strong belief in “ministry beyond the walls” of the church has resulted in the development of many outreach ministries at FMZBC, that include: SHARE – a program providing reduced cost groceries and meals to struggling families; the Mary Elizabeth Ministry which serves pregnant teens and teen parents; and the Juvenile Detention Ministry.
Dr. Torian was first elected to represent the 52nd district in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2009. He serves a constituency of approximately 80,000 Prince William County citizens. He is responsible for the passage of legislation that: improved education and criminal justice policies; promoted security in retirement; benefited the lives of veterans and their dependents; and enhanced the well-being of individuals in assisted living facilities.
The Virginia Education Association has honored Dr. Torian with their Solid as a Rock Award five times since 2011. He received the 2013 Special Service Award and the 2018 Political Leadership Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Prince William County Chapter. In 2019, Dr. Torian
received: the Legislator of the Year Award from the Military Officers Association of America, Virginia Council of Chapters; and the Free Enterprise Award in Fiscal Stewardship from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Torian has been awarded three Citizen of the Year Awards and a Man of the Year Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In addition, in 2019 he was delighted to serve as the Achievement Week Speaker and to receive the Founders Lifetime Achievement Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter. In May 2021, Dr. Torian was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Virginia Union University.
Dr. Torian serves on the Rules and General Laws Committees in the House of Delegates. He was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee in 2014 and in 2019, designated Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on General Government and Capital Outlay. In 2020, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn selected Dr. Torian as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Dr. Torian is the first African American in Virginia’s history to lead the powerful budget-writing committee.
In 2021, Dr. Torian was honored to be named Legislator of the Year by the Treasurers' Association of Virginia. He was also honored to receive a John Jenkins Good Scout Award in support of the Prince William County Boy Scouts.
Dr. Torian lives in Woodbridge, VA with his wife Clarice and daughter Constance. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Pi Lamdba Lambda Chapter and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Boule. In his spare time, Dr. Torian enjoys spending time with his family and golfing.
