Reid Temple AME Church 2022-2023 Annual Report - Ministry Moving Forward

MINISTRY MOVING FORWARD

Beloved Reid Temple AME Church Annual Report

LETTER FROM THE PASTOR

As I reflect on this past year, I can only say this: “Thank you Lord, for all you’ve done for us.”

This conference year was our first full year back in the physical building since the pandemic. Praise the Lord! Returning to regular in-person Sunday Worship services, events, and activities has been a welcomed change for many. Our wonderful members continue to support the church with their time, talent, and treasure. With almost all our church ministries back in action, I am inspired to see officers, leaders, and ministry volunteers using innovative ways of serving in a hybrid church.

Every Sunday, I am overjoyed to see the Reid Temple community returning to the sanctuary for worship and just as pleased to see our beloved e-Family continue in online worship. Weekly, we greet visitors and welcome those that now call Reid Temple home. What a blessing to see our growth across the generations.

As our 501c3 auxiliaries lean into their role in building the Beloved Community, I am heartened by their enthusiastic leaders as they forge new strategic partnerships with corporate, government, and community organizations. It is inspiring to see God providing the vision for each affiliate and to partner with like-minded organizations that see the value of our mission to do more for the community.

I am so proud of Reid Temple for making three difficult, yet strategic, organizational decisions this year to ensure the future success of the church. First, we worked to develop a strategy for “rightsizing” the church’s infrastructure and budget. Second, we embarked on a two-year sacrificial giving campaign, “Above the Tithe”, to pay off the primary mortgage on the building, enabling us to free up resources for use in continuing to build the Beloved Community. Third, we established and began hiring for key positions to engage, grow, and serve the various demographics of the membership.

In closing, I want to humbly thank our Second Episcopal District leadership, Bishop James Levert Davis and Presiding Elder Rev. Charles T. Sembly, for their encouragement and prayers. I look forward to continuing to work with and learn from you both in the new conference year.

Our future is bright as God continues to keep Reid Temple in His hands!

Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr. Senior Pastor, Reid Temple AME Church

MOVING MINISTRY FORWARD: THE MISSION

God gave Reid Temple AME Church the ability to truly stand still, hear from Him, and embrace His vision to build the Beloved Community over the past three years.

In May 2022, a special State of the Church Sunday Service was held where Pastor Mark shared the new vision and mission for Reid Temple AME Church. To put Reid Temple on the path to fulfill the mission, Pastor Mark also shared Critical Goal Categories for the 2022-2023 Strategic Plan.

VISION

Reid Temple AME Church is a Bible-believing, Christ-centered, Family-integrated, Multigenerational, and Culturally aware church, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ while “Building the Beloved Community.”

MISSION

The mission of Reid Temple AME Church is to increase and grow our ministry for the spiritual, social, and physical development of all people.

CRITICAL GOAL CATEGORIES OF 2022-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN

MEMBER & MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

Increase overall membership and membership engagement | Improve member retention | Improve/increase and reimagine spaces for families.

DEBT FREE FOR THEE - ELIMINATE $9M CHURCH DEBT

Eliminate $9M of debt to free up resources to not only build but also grow the Beloved Community.

INCREASE & INVEST IN MOTIVATED AND SKILLED STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

Improve our hiring and increase recruitment to include interns | Strengthen talent development | Invest in continual training and development.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT - SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Identify areas of need in our community and commit to being part of the solution | Address food insecurity I Commit to multicultural ministry and evangelism.

INVEST IN NEW DEMOGRAPHIC & MARKET-PENETRATION STRATEGIES

Grow digital reach by investing in online evangelism to create and grow an Online Campus.

OUR YEAR

Reid Temple is dedicated to the cause of Christ providing a warm, friendly, and vibrant environment expressed through love and grace to persons from all walks of life. As Reid Temple is “Building the Beloved Community”, we strive to provide ministry designed to meet the spiritual, social, and physical development of all people. Here are some of the amazing things God allowed us to accomplish this year.

WORSHIP

When the doors opened again in the Summer of 2021, Reid Temple embraced the new normal – a hybrid church. While many walked through the doors of the sanctuary, masked and ready for an in-person experience, many others, in the United States and across the world, excitedly tuned in to continue online worship. Since May 2022, Reid Temple has continued to see an increase in in-person and online worship. Moreover, with new ministerial leadership, there is an increase in participation and attendance in the R3 Youth Church service. For the first time, special ministry moments were introduced during the Sunday Service. These special moments included a Memorial Service to remember Reid Temple Members who transitioned during the Pandemic. In January, the church entered into 31 Days of Prayer and a prayer moment was held where the congregation lifted up prayer requests. Moreover, unused space at the church was reimagined for a permanent Prayer Room. We challenged ourselves to go higher in God by going higher in prayer, love, serving, and living. The congregation was thankful for these moments that re-engaged and brought the congregation closer.

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE

IN REVIEW

COMMUNITY IMPACT OF MINISTRY

Ministry activities returned in full with over 68 ministries once again serving. Throughout the week, dedicated ministry volunteers can be found helping in various capacities to build the Beloved Community. From ministry volunteers across the church who packed groceries, to our R3 Youth who orchestrated the Backpack Giveaways, ministries continued to impact our community. Ministries like the Queen Jefferson Women’s Missionary Society, Young People’s Department (YPD), Master’s Touch Outreach, Prison Ministry, and Harvest Street Warriors, as well as Sponsor a Child continued to reach the least, lost, and left out with food, financial assistance, clothes, prayer, and lots of love. Partnerships with organizations like CVS Health, Capital Area Food Bank, local schools, and government organizations brought even more resources to our community. This conference year also saw the birth of new ministries like the Environmental Justice Ministry that is partnering with the University of Maryland.

OUR PARTNERS

Luminous Health

WHERE WE SERVE

Araminta Freedom Initiative (Human Trafficking Advocacy and Support)

active ministries

ministry volunteers

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

This conference year, Reid Temple introduced successful community engagement opportunities. These events were designed to spread the gospel, introduce Reid Temple to the community, and engage our community. The Arise Summer Gospel Concert Series attracted over 1,000 attendees from the community. This three-concert series featured artist and community outreach opportunities targeting families, youth, and young adults. The first Small Business Sunday was held and featured 70 small business owners, who showcased their goods and services. Social Sundays were held once a month in the spring and summer after Sunday Services, to further engage and connect members and visitors. We also saw signature ministry events successfully return like Miracle Month of May Revival, as well as “At the Temple” Christmas and Easter productions.

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

Number of Attendees

The new website launched in June 2022. With a new look, simple navigation, compelling content, and mobile-friendliness, the new website was well received by members and visitors alike.

OUR TEAM

REID TEMPLE EXECUTIVE TEAM

Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.

Senior Pastor

Bro. Melvin Blount

Chief Finance Officer

Sis. Kisha Broady

Chief Operating Officer

Rev. Hermia Shegog Whitlock

Director of Human Resources and Legal Affairs

Rev. Joseph P. Deck III

Director, Clergy and Pastoral Care

Bro. Joseph F. Smith

Treasurer

Bro. Preston Jacob

Executive Assistant to the Executive Office

Dr. Anton Bizzell

Steward Board Pro Tem

Bro. Marlon Broady

Trustee Board Pro Tem

Bro. Tennille Campbell

Stewardship & Finance Commissioner

REID TEMPLE 501(C)(3) AUXILIARIES

Reid Temple Community Development Corporation

Reid Temple Bible College

Reid Temple Christian Academy

Reid Temple Senior Services