Omega men know how to Persevere, and at the end of that Perseverance comes the reward. For Brothers Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom and Rev. Rodney Barnes, Perseverance in The Word and in the shaping and molding of a new calling in ministry is paying off.
Bro. Folsom, the long-serving Second District Chaplain for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, received his first pastoral appointment on April 22. He was appointed pastor of Wayman Memorial AME Church in Baltimore.
“It’s a great community church in the heart of what’s called Pigtown. We are called the Miracle on Washington Boulevard! We serve a great working class community close to Ravens Stadium.,” said Bro. Folsom.
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| Brother Reverends Barnes and Folsom |
Bro. Folsom was formally named to the pastorate at the 66th Session of the Washington Annual AME Conference which was held at Reid Temple AME in Glen Dale, MD. The three-day conference was from April 20-22. Pastoral appointments were read by Bishop William P. DeVeaux (Alpha Chapter, '60) on Friday night, April 22 at the close of the conference business session.
In the AME church, pastors serve for one conference year and then at the next Annual Conference can be re-appointed to the same church or assigned to another church. It is up to the discretion of the Bishop and the Presiding Elder.
“I am so thankful for the appointment and just want to do God's will, love the people, and help transformation take place in the community,” said Bro. Folsom. “I want to see the church once again be the center of the community. After serving almost 10 years on the ministerial staff of Community of Hope AME in Hillcrest Heights, MD, under Rev Tony Lee as my Pastor, this takes my ministry, which is really God's ministry, to another level. I do believe this is the church God wants me to shepherd.”
Bro. Folsom has already started serving. In the AME church, the assignments are immediate. He presided over his first worship service on Sunday, April 24, at 11 am. His sermon was "It's Going to Be Alright" from Matthew 9:18-26.
The church is located at 1305 Washington Boulevard in South Baltimore. You can visit Wayman AME on Facebook: Wayman AME
Gamma Pi Brother Rev. Rodney Barnes, a recently retired police officer, was also spurred on to continue his calling during the recent Conference. Bro. Barnes received his third re-appointment to Gethesemane AME Church, a church he planted that is now called THEGAMECHURCH after a recent rebranding.
“I'm humbled at this my third Appointment as the Pastor of Gethsemane AME Church. We are on the move, God has positioned us for success,” said Bro. Barnes. “Our theme scripture is 1 Corinthians 3:6; "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."
Bro. Barnes says his church underwent a reorganization and rebranding last year and in 2016 THEGAMECHURCH is positioned for growth. The GAMECHURCH, is located at 2701 Enterprise Road Mitchellville, MD 20721. Services begin at 9:00 a.m.
Congratulations to these Brothers as they continue their important work in the vineyards!
