Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, Senior Pastor

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.
— Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington
North Location
Montgomery Blair High School
Student Activities Center
51 University Boulevard East
Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
While Rev. Watley was busy with various projects he
continued cross country treks with occasional junkets
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.
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
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
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.
10
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!
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.
12
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
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.
13
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
Rev. Matthew Watley
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:
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:
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.
Kenya C. Cassell
Scheré Johnson-Jordan
From Washington, DC:
Contributing Writers:
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.
14
Rev. Matthew Watley
LaTarsha Bailey
Lauren Phelps
Contributing Photographers:
Clifton Hoffler
Danita Delaney
Cleveland Bryant