2026 FLAME Retreat Program Booklet

FL ME Fostering Leadership and Ministry Excellence

SPRING RETREAT 2026 APRIL 16TH- APRIL 18TH Bishop Dwight Riddick, Sr. Lady Vera Riddick Guest Facilitators

Pastors & Spouses Dr. Marvin McMickle

Pastor Reggie Thomas

ANCHORED IN STILL WATERS: NAVIGATING MINISTRY IN UNSTEADY TIMES Text: “He leads me beside still waters.”

Psalm 23:2

SPONSORS

FLAMEFellowship.org

WELCOME TO THE F.L.A.M.E. ANNUAL PASTORS & SPOUSES RETREAT To our F.L.A.M.E. Pastors, Spouses and Guest: With hearts full of gratitude and joy, Mrs. Riddick, myself along with the F.L.A.M.E. Board Members warmly welcome you to our F.L.A.M.E. Annual Retreat. It is truly an honor to gather with each of you, our sons and daughters, who continue to serve with dedication, resilience, and love.

This sacred time has been intentionally set aside for you.

Hosted by Bishop Dwight Riddick & Lady Vera Riddick

This retreat is designed to provide space to rest, reflect, and reassess the times in which we are called to serve.

As shepherds and supporters, you pour out continually; this is your moment to be refreshed, restored, and refilled.

We encourage you to embrace this opportunity to step away from routine responsibilities and lean into the presence of God with openness and expectation.

Surrounded by the beauty and serenity of the beach, allow the peaceful setting to minister to your spirit.

Breathe deeply. Slow down. Be present. Let this environment, coupled with the presence of God, renew your mind, body, and soul.

During our time together, we expect to receive: Insightful and timely impartation for today’s ministry landscape Encouragement and inspiration for both personal and shared journeys Moments of stillness and connection with God and one another Our prayer is that you will leave this retreat strengthened, inspired, and equipped to return to your respective ministries and spheres of influence with renewed energy, clarity, and purpose. The work you do matters deeply, and we are committed to ensuring you are sustained for the journey ahead.

Know that you are covered in prayer, appreciated beyond words, and celebrated for your unwavering commitment to the Kingdom.

Welcome to this time of refreshing. Welcome to this time with God. Welcome to your retreat.

With love and grace, Bishop Dwight Riddick & Lady Vera Riddick 1

Retreat Itinerary

Thursday, April 16th 3:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M.- 6:45 P.M.

Board Meeting Arrival, Check-In, and Registration

7:00 P.M.

Meet & Greet, Dinner and Fellowship Alley Oops 5509 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD (55th St.)

Friday, April 17th 8:45 A.M. 9:15 A.M. 10:00 A.M.

Centennial Breakfast- Zippy Lewis Room Opening Worship- Dunes Manor Ballroom Dr. Marvin McMickle- Media Presentation, Dunes Manor Ballroom

11:15 A.M.

Break

11:30 A.M. 12:00 P.M. 1:30 P.M.

Kevin Ridley- Presentation, Dunes Manor Ballroom Lunch- Zippy Lewis Room Dr. Reggie Thomas- The Pastor’s Mental Health, Dunes Manor Ballroom

3:00 P.M. 7:30 P.M.

Relax, Restore, Refresh Dinner- The Bonfire Restaurant (included) 7009 Costal Highway

Saturday, April 18th 9:00 A.M.

Centennial Breakfast- Zippy Lewis Room

9:15 A.M.

Dr. Reggie Thomas, The Pastor’s Mental Health- Dunes Manor Ballroom Spouse Gathering- Zippy Lewis Room

10:15 A.M.

Making Use of Data for Church Growth- Dunes Manor Ballroom Spouse Gathering- Zippy Lewis Room

11:30 A.M.

Adjournment 2

Reverend Dr. Marvin A. McMickle Divinity school president and theologian Reverend Dr. Marvin A. McMickle was born on December 16, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois to Marthetta and Paul McMickle.

McMickle received his B.A. degree in philosophy from George Williams College at Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wisconsin in 1970; his M.Div. degree in theology from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, New York in 1973; his D.Min. degree from the Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey in 1983; and his Ph.D. degree in history from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in 1998.

McMickle began his ministerial career in 1972 as an associate pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City before leaving in 1976 to become pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Chicago, where he served for ten years. In 1987, he was appointed pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland and remained there until 2011. In 1995, McMickle joined the faculty of Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. Then, in 2019, he was named president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, New York, where he served until his retirement in 2019 McMickle is the author of more than twenty books including Living Water for Thirsty Souls: Unleashing the Power of Exegetical Preaching in 2001; An Encyclopedia of African American Christian Heritage in 2002; The Audacity of Faith: Christian Leaders Reflect on the Election of Barack Obama in 2009; and Hiding God’s Word in Our Hearts in 2023.

McMickle served as president of the Cleveland NAACP from 1989 to 1991 and led the Cleveland Urban League from 1994 to 1998. He was also a board member of the Gateway Economic Development Corporation from 1992 to 1998; a board president of the Shaker Heights Board of Education from 1992 to 1999; and a trustee of Cleveland State University from 2008 to 2010.

McMickle has received numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from his alma mater, Aurora University, in 1991; a Distinguished Alumni Award from Aurora University in 2000; an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from the Payne Theological Seminary in 2010; a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Princeton Theological Seminary in 2012; and a Distinguished Alumni Award from Case Western Reserve University in 2022.

McMickle lives with his wife, Peggy N. McMickle, in Shaker Heights, Ohio. They have one child and two grandchildren.

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Rev. Dr. Reginald Thomas Sr. was called to preach at an early age and preached his initial sermon at The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Mark Saunders. Since 1994, Dr. Thomas has served as the Pastor of the Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Under his leadership, the church has provided effective ministry to the congregation and the community.

Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Thomas has sought to make Greater Gethsemane a church that goes beyond the walls in order to bring people to Jesus by meeting both their spiritual and physical needs, empowering them to break generational strongholds and live more abundantly.

Dr. Thomas served as a District Overseer in the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, and currently serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors, under the leadership of Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. In 2011, he served as one of the lecturers during the historic Hampton University Minister’s Conference. In addition to serving multiple spiritual organizations, Pastor Thomas also serves within his community. He is the founder of Urban Life Solutions, Inc., a community development corporation designed to effectively minister to individuals, families, and the urban communities at large empowering them to overcome societal and economic strongholds. Dr. Thomas also serves on the Board of Directors for the prestigious Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Incorporated.

Dr. Thomas believes that when leaders stop learning, they stop growing. His academic portfolio includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Towson State University; a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology from Philadelphia Bible College and Seminary; a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary; and an earned Doctor of Ministry, with a concentration in Formational Counseling, from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio.

In addition to being a faithful pastor, and a dynamic preacher and teacher, Dr. Thomas also makes family life apriority. He is the loving husband of First Lady Stephanie, and the proud father of Reginald Jr., Candace Victoria, and Kayla Moriah.

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