Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, Senior Pastor 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard Glenn Dale, Maryland 20769 301.382.0320 Grace and Peace to all. We are excited about the opportunity that God has afforded us to become one church in two locations. More and more we find that proximity to the house of worship plays a significant role in whether someone will attend church. Certainly, we at Reid Temple have benefited from those in our immediate neighborhood since our move to Glenn Dale, Maryland. We believe the same dynamic will hold true in Silver Spring. In the past, we ve experienced blessings connected with your support of the gospel by contributing toward the new facility. You responded well, and I know you will do the same in this instance. This time, we re not building brick and mortar but we re building lives and community. We will not be employing professional contractors, but we ll be depending on each member to become a worker in the kingdom. We already know that the Silver Spring assembly will not mirror every aspect of our campus in Glenn Dale. It will have its own unique flavor based on those who attend, the worship environment, and mostly the unique vision that God has for this venue. What will be identical in both locations is our dedication to the cause of Christ, the warm family feeling of our membership, the love and grace that is extended to persons of all walks of life, and our unshakable commitment to the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that God s Will be done through those who will serve in various capacities at both locations as well as all persons who will come together in the spirit of unity as we seek to enlarge our territory the Kingdom of God. North Location Montgomery Blair High School Student Activities Center 51 University Boulevard East Silver Spring, Maryland 20901 Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington North Location Hosted by Rev. Matthew Watley, Executive Pastor Sunday School 8:30 am Worship Service 9:30 am WWW.REIDTEMPLE.ORG
ev. Matthew L. Watley has been appointed to oversee the Silver Spring congregation of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church. Keep reading for more information and insight on how God has blessed and continues to bless this faithful servant and minister of the gospel. Since coming to Reid Temple over 7 years ago Rev. Matthew L. Watley has made a definite impact on the kingdom of God and Reid Temple. Pastor Washington offered Rev. Watley the position of Youth Minister after receiving his Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity. While continuing coursework as a graduate student, Rev. Watley served as a Graduate Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the University and as Graduate Assistant at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. When I arrived at Reid, I was excited and anxious to see what real ministry was all about. I had a great foundation as my predecessor had built a highly motivated and gifted group of young people at the church. My challenge came in figuring out how to be effective in that we had very different styles. He was a mature minister who served as a real father figure to the young people. I, on the other hand, looked to be closer at best to an older brother. Fortunately, God worked it out so the young people adapted to my age and style in a manner that allowed us to do a lot of things that Reid had never seen before. What we were able to accomplish in Youth Ministry had much more to do with the gifted persons who lent of their considerable time and talent to lead the department in a new direction. To show you what kind of great people we had, from the group of persons that served in youth ministry, all have either been appointed as stewards, four of them are commissioners and 2 are ministers. Only God could have assembled such a group together. We were only able to see in hindsight what God has been up to the entire time. Along with his responsibilities as Youth Minister, Rev. Watley also served as the main preacher for the 6:00 PM service. On his first Sunday he looked out to see about 30 people willing to give the new kid on the block a chance. The result over 7 years later is over 1000 people in attendance at this service. Rev. Watley is quick to again point out, that the success of the service didn t have as much to do with him as some may think. Again, God through Pastor Washington assembled an all-star team. Pastor Washington appointed Michael White as the main musician for this service. Michael in turn organized True Praise. For a minister getting to preach behind Michael White and True Praise is comparable to what it must have been like to play on the Showtime Lakers with Magic Johnson. Whether you were gifted like Kareem or a role player like Michael Cooper, Magic made everyone look good. That s what the music ministry did for me. They set the house in worship so that the word could go forth to ready and receptive hearts. After serving in various leadership roles beyond his Youth Ministry position, Pastor Washington appointed Rev. Watley as the Executive Minister under the New Organizational Structure of the Church. Immediately, Rev. Watley found himself tasked with overseeing the construction of the new edifice. Rev. Watley was the first to admit his lack of preparation. Up until that point in my life the only building that I had done was with Lego, and even those projects didn t turn out terribly well. Pastor Washington didn t leave Rev. Watley hanging though. He assembled an all-star team of deeply committed and talented members to do the bulk of the heavy lifting, allowing Rev. Watley the opportunity to serve more as the team leader. We learned a lot about God, ourselves, and each other during this project. The expansion team, especially the A & E committee found ourselves confronted by weather delays, cost over runs, design changes, and building regulations which at times stretched our ability to faith to tensile strength. I wish I could tell you I was always calm under fire, but the truth is many times, I found myself trying to figure out what to do next. It was during these moments where the imperturbable Pastor Washington s strength in leadership shined the brightest. His assurance and wise counsel guided us to a project that delivered a remarkable facility on time. While Rev. Watley was busy with various projects he continued cross country treks with occasional junkets outside of the United States to preach and teach in various forums. He also founded a unique ministry called Power Lunch. Power Lunch is a noontime non-denominational worship service that is held every Wednesday in the AMC movie theater at Union Station. His vision was that people during the course of the challenges of their work environment would benefit from a power worship experience and relevant teaching and preaching. More then 4 years from it s birth, Power Lunch is not only alive and well in Washington, DC but has been expanded to Baltimore, MD, Suitland, MD, Columbia, SC; with sites scheduled to open in Dallas, TX, Columbus, OH, Seattle, WA, and Arlington, VA later this year. I m so excited about the pastors in these various cities that have elected to join in with me in this ministry. We all understand that it s all about partnership and working together to build the kingdom of God. Now Rev. Watley has been tapped once again to help lead the Silver Spring location of Reid Temple. This may be the most ambitious and challenging project to date in that it will require Reid Temple to do something that is unprecedented. Well unlike when we were building the new facility, I feel slightly more comfortable doing ministry especially starting a new work. Between Power Lunch and the 6:00 PM service, I had to learn a long time ago to preach with everything I had whether the seats were mostly full or empty. Actually, I don t think our problem in Silver Spring will be filling the seats, but building our capacity to service a new group of members without having the luxury of a permanent location. Yet, I m certain that the same God that has blessed Reid Temple on Michigan Ave, Good Luck Rd., and now Glenn Dale Blvd., will do no less at 4 Corners in Silver Spring.
Reid Temple AME Church Expands to Its Second Location REID TEMPLE NORTH But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 By LaTarsha Bailey The Spirit of the Living God moved, transforming an ordinary high school cafeteria into holy ground, a place of worship, a place where His glory dwells. Hundreds upon hundreds gathered with excitement on Resurrection Sunday to their pews amidst elated greeters, ushers, stewards, parking attendants and sound technicians positioned for service. Children poured into the nursery to learn of a risen Saviour Jesus Christ. Welcome to Reid Temple North! proclaimed Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, prolific visionary and Senior Pastor of Reid Temple AME Church. And so it began, the first worship service of Reid Temple North at Montgomery Blair High School, the second location of Reid Temple AME Church. What a glorious day! And the Lord gave us peace, for we lacked nothing. This is indeed an awesome move of God, said Michael White, one of the Ministers of Music for Reid Temple North. It is a privilege to be a part of Pastor s vision to expand and minister in other areas. We have the same services in place that we have at Reid Temple AME Church in Glenn Dale. That is how you know it is of God, when you witness His hand moving to bring about what He alone has ordained. It is to His glory, he explained. And the Lord was indeed glorified in that place! Michael White and True Praise along with worship leader Brother Darryl Williams joined the people in exalting the majestic name of Jesus. Over five hundred people were in attendance. While many visitors and neighboring residents attended the first worship service of Reid Temple North, there were also many ministers, officers and members of Reid Temple AME Church. It feels so good to be able to drive ten minutes to my church! exclaimed Elenora Dean, member of Reid Temple and resident of Silver Spring. Another member of Reid Temple and longtime Silver Spring resident, Marlon Murphy stated that he was thrilled to witness the same impact Reid Temple has made in the Prince Georges community now taking place in Montgomery County. It s an honor to be a part of a grassroots effort in building the kingdom of God. It also shows that we continue, even after building the new sanctuary and the school, to reach the world with the gospel and expand our territory. As True Praise prepared to continue in worship in the sermonic selection, Pastor Washington introduced the speaker of the hour, the man of God, Reverend Matthew L. Watley, Executive Minister of Reid Temple. Rev. Watley delivered the Word of God in his signature fashion fiery preaching, quick and powerful by way of the Holy Ghost. To the hushed tones of an energized crowd, Rev. Watley ministered an unusual, yet timely prayer that we would be broken. He expounded on the Word of God by showing that it was only the brokenness of Christ that made way for the will of God to be perfected in His and our lives. At the invitation, Rev. Watley implored those that
were called of God to yield to His will. Four people were saved and ten people joined the church Reid Temple AME Church. What an awesome thought. We reached so many others simultaneously in different locations and their lives were changed forever! Hilda Hudson, a Steward and Commissioner for Evangelism and Outreach, shared these thoughts. The service was absolutely AWESOME!!! Everything turned out beyond any expectations that we could have imagined...everybody was in place including all of the support ministries. Of course the preached Word was Great! All in all, we are expecting God to continue to move mightily at Reid Temple both in Glenn Dale and at the North location in Silver Spring. A little boy, Micah raised the Easter basket that he made at Reid Temple North s Children s Church, Look, look! He and his mother were visitors to Reid Temple North and they had walked to the worship service. I am so glad they are here, I ll be back next Sunday she said. What an honor and privilege to be used of God to move beyond our borders, build His church and enlarge His Kingdom.
he Music Ministry, under the direction of Evangelist Myrna Summers, is ready and willing to help usher in the Spirit of the Lord as the church lifts up the name of Jesus through song. Reid Temple has an abundance of talent and these two gentlemen will be serving double duty as they minister in the Glenn Dale and Silver Spring locations. Bro. Patrick Lundy is an Associate Minister of Music at Reid Temple as well as the founder of the group Ministers of Music which is comprised of accomplished singers and musicians from around the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Patrick came to Reid Temple in 2002. He is classically trained, and can perform with equal ability anthems, contemporary and down home gospel songs. He directs the Combined Voices Choir and also assists with other choirs within the church whenever the need arises. He is a gifted psalmist with a genuine heart for worship. He and his wife, Joyce Spears Lundy, also share the joy of music and ministry. She is a member of the Washington Metropolitan Opera. Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music currently have a CD in stores titled In the Fellowship. Patrick has a reputation for excellence in ministry and artistry while enjoying cross-generational appeal. Take this opportunity to get your copy of their CD and be blessed. Bro. Michael White is an Associate Minister of Music at Reid Temple overseeing the Young Adult Choir, Youth Choir, and Children for Christ Choir. Michael is known not simply for his musical genius but also for his sincerity. He and his wife Cherlyn have faithfully served as musicians and directors for these choirs for many years. They serve as mentors to countless young people and often as surrogate parents. They have 4 children of their own, and usually have several other kids from the neighborhood or from the church in tow as they are about the business of ministry. Michael comes from a family rich in musical gifts and talents. You can say he literally was born with music and ministry coursing through his veins. He founded the group Michael White and True Praise. Their faithfulness in ministry has enhanced the worship experience at our 6:00 pm service. The group recently recorded their first live CD presentation and the gospel music industry is already abuzz with anticipation to hear their first release. We ve only given you a brief introduction to these gentlemen. Look forward to in-depth articles in upcoming editions of Joshua s Journal. By now you ve seen this acronym during the video presentations at our worship service. Again, it stands for Service Prayer Attend Witness New. In a real sense S.P.A.W.N. expresses the ideal that was articulated in scripture thousands of years ago. The apostle Paul was very fond of birth language. He used it to describe not only our new life in Christ, but also the manner in which new ministries were created in different regions. What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church 1 Corinthians 14:26 (NIV). With this new service, Reid Temple is providing another opportunity for the true worshippers of God to come together for the strengthening of the body of Christ. Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV). Not only will worshippers in Prince George s County be provided the opportunity to petition God in the sanctuary, but also residents of Montgomery County. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching Hebrews 10:25 (NIV). Believers from all over Maryland will come to be a part of Reid Temple s new worship opportunity! You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden Matthew 5:14 (NIV). The new location is an exciting opportunity to show others the way, the truth, and the light! Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert Isaiah 43:19 (KJV). God is doing a new thing in the life of Reid Temple, and the best is yet to come! 10 11
There are several pitfalls believers often encounter when seeking to win a soul for Christ, or encourage someone to attend church. Be clear with regard to what you re witnessing about... Often times people will go to share their faith with someone without first identifying the status of the person they re engaging. Before one begins to try to walk someone down the Roman Road to salvation it is important to confirm that this person is indeed not saved. Often times based on the faith tradition in which an individual may have been raised, the term saved may or not make sense or it may have different meanings. It s important to discuss salvation from a relational aspect rather than a doctrinal one. Some denominations believe that one can lose their salvation, whereas others don t really distinguish salvation from church membership. Rather than debating theological issues which theologians themselves can t resolve, it is better to speak from a more personal perspective of what salvation has meant in your life. Some basic Bible supports are necessary, but you should not find yourself having a mini-bible study. Based on the background of the individual they may be more familiar with scripture or totally unacquainted. What cannot be debated however is your own testimony of what you ve been saved from and saved for. I m spiritual, not religious. I believe in God but don t go to Church. These two statements have become hallmarks of the way people process Christianity. They are suspicious of many of the archaic rules and even rituals of religion. Often, like Internet surfers they consider themselves to be able to survey various denominations or even different faiths, and create a composite religion, which works for them. This is a very difficult outlook to respond to, because the individual assumes an ability, which they don t rightfully possess. They consider themselves more analytical, more genuine, or more dedicated, than those church folks. I ve discovered that often they have either experienced or heard of some unfortunate circumstance in church that has given them this negative opinion. My response has always been to affirm the truth wherever it is found. If they make valid points of critique about some churches, then it is OK to agree. You re role is not meant to justify or defend bad behavior. You can however share with them, why your church is so appealing, because it doesn t exhibit those same negative traits. Reid Temple is committed to developing disciples for Christ. When you come to church, read the Bible, study, pray and meditate on His word, you will be able to confidently step out and be a witness as you endeavor to win souls for Christ and bring others to join the fellowship and family of believers that we call church. ach and every believer is called to serve. This concept is known as the priesthood of believers. In the Old Testament, priests were males from the tribe of Levi that served in the temple to perform sacrifices, conduct worship, intercede with God on behalf of the people, and generally guard and service the faith. When we read the New Testament we are reminded that Jesus declared that he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. In other words, he was not removing the old ways, but he was accomplishing the goals of the old ways and thus creating a new paradigm for relationship with God. Thus, in the New Testament Jesus appears as the high priest and as believers are now all called into the priesthood ministry. Since priesthood formally was based on being born into the Levitical lineage, we are born again into the family of the high priest so we are to operate as priests. Yet, our understanding of the kingdom of God means that our ministry is not simply confined to the four walls of the church, but we are called to be ministers both inside and outside the church. We re all not called to do the same thing, but all of us are called to do something. Yet in accepting their calling to some particular area of ministry, many people become disheartened that those who may already be active in that ministry do not quickly embrace them. Sometimes this is because the new ministry worker may come in with an expectation to be instantly put into leadership and revise the entire ministry. While the ministry may be in need of a deep overhaul, the word of God cautions us to put hands on no man quickly. It takes times to learn the landscape of any ministry. It takes time to adopt the spirit of any ministry, and to truly grasp its vision. Likewise, those 12 13 in that ministry have a responsibility to ensure that they are entrusting responsibility to capable hands, and time is very good for revealing the hearts of people. Sometimes however, persons become frustrated when attempting to become active in ministry not because of their expectations, but because of those already serving. Often those already in ministry can find themselves unintentionally or maybe intentionally operating in cliques and closed groups. They may have become comfortable with those already serving and may not be enthusiastic about new persons coming in and changing the dynamic of their little club. Yet we are reminded that God has not saved us that we might be divided but that we might be unified. New workers must come in with a willingness to learn and grow while also realizing and affirming that they have just as much a right to serve as anyone who has been in the ministry for years. God does not promote because of seniority, he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Likewise, persons who are working currently will find that instead of feeling overwhelmed because of the size of the tasks in ministry, they should be more deliberate about a more welcoming and inviting environment for new persons to join in and become actively involved. When each of us remembers all that God had to save us from, we ll realize what a blessing and privilege it is to serve as the hands of God, as He builds His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Joshua s Journal Supplement Spring 2006 A Reid Temple A.M.E. Church Publication from the Commission on Public Relations Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington Senior Pastor From Takoma Park, Langley Park, or College Park: Take Route 193, University Boulevard, North. At Route 516, Franklin Avenue, take a left. Take Franklin until it ends, at US Route 29, Colesville Road. Turn Right. After crossing over the Beltway, take the first entrance to your right. From White Oak, Colesville, Burtonsville, or Columbia: Take US Route 29 (Colesville Road/Columbia Pike) South. You will see the place on your left immediately after you cross Route 193, University Boulevard. However, you must pass the building and continue over the Beltway on Colesville Road. At the second cut in the median, you can make a legal u-turn and head North on Colesville. After crossing back over the Beltway, enter the grounds by making your first right. From Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Virginia, or other points West of Silver Spring: Get onto the Inner Loop of the Beltway, heading toward Silver Spring (I-495 East in Montgomery County, I-495 North in Northern Virginia). Get off at Exit 30 North (US Route 29, Colesville Road, Columbia). The building is the first entrance on your right after merging onto Colesville Road. From Baltimore and other points to the Northeast: Take I-95 South toward Washington. At the Beltway, exit 27, take I-495 West toward Silver Spring. After getting on the Beltway, take Exit 29, Route 193, University Boulevard, South toward Langley Park. Take a right at the first light, Route 516, Franklin Avenue. Take Franklin until it ends, at US Route 29, Colesville Road. Turn Right. After crossing over the Beltway, take the first entrance to your right. From Washington, DC: Travel North on Sixteenth Street, NW. At the state line with Maryland, there is a very small traffic circle. Take right onto Route 340 North, Colesville Road. Traveling through Silver Spring, Colesville Road will become US Route 29 North. About 2.5 miles from the District line; you will cross over the Beltway, I-495. Take the first right entrance after your cross the Beltway. From Prince George s County, Annapolis, Southern Maryland, or the Eastern Shore: Travel to the Washington Beltway, I-495, and take it North. DO NOT take I-95 North when it splits off toward Baltimore; stay on I-495. Take exit 29, Route 193, University Boulevard, South toward Langley Park. Take a right at the first light, Route 516, Franklin Avenue. Take Franklin until it ends, at US Route 29, Colesville Road. Turn Right. After crossing over the Beltway, take the first entrance to your right. Rev. Matthew Watley Executive Minister Rev. David Clark Director of Ministries and Outreach Rev. Cary James Youth Minister Editor-in-Chief: Sandra L. Thompson, Public Relations Commissioner Editorial Staff: Janice Aycox Sandra Daniel Graphic Designers: Kenya C. Cassell Scheré Johnson-Jordan Contributing Writers: Rev. Matthew Watley LaTarsha Bailey Lauren Phelps Contributing Photographers: Clifton Hoffler Danita Delaney Cleveland Bryant 14