BALTIMORE — On Sunday, October 8, 2017, Trinity African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) will celebrate its 136th Church Anniversary. The theme of the milestone observance is “Celebrating 136 Years of God’s Blessings.” The day will feature guest sermons by Retired Bishop John H. Bryant and Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant.
Rev. Rodrecus M. Johnson, Sr. is pastor of Trinity A.M.E., which is located 2140 E. Hoffman Street in Baltimore.
Rev. Rodrecus M. Johnson, Sr. is Pastor of Trinity A.M.E., which is located 2140 E. Hoffman Street in Baltimore.
“I have served as pastor for nearly seven years, and being a part of such historic value is a major blessing from the Lord,” said Pastor Johnson. “Trinity A.M.E. was involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and Martin Luther King, Jr. actually came to the church. Frederick Douglass spoke on the church’s platform.”
He added, “Trinity started with just one corner of the block, which was the Sunday School building. Now, the church takes up a quarter of the block. Since 1881, Trinity A.M.E. church has stood as a pillar of strength and hope in the Baltimore community.”
In 2013, Trinity A.M.E. was given Historic Landmark status by the state of Maryland and the City of Baltimore. The church’s community programs include a weekly food pantry, a partnership with Collington Square Elementary School, a citywide Back-to-School supplies drive, and a “Friday Night Live” youth program.
Retired Bishop John H. Bryant will deliver a guest sermon (3:30 p.m. service) as part of Trinity A.M.E.’s 136th Church Anniversary celebration.
Rev. Dr. Bryant will preach during the 10:45 a.m. morning service, while Bishop Bryant will deliver his sermon during the 3:30 p.m. afternoon service. Rev. Dr. Bryant is a Spiritual Director, Missionary and Women’s Empowerment Leader with a Global Vision. She is founder of the A.M.E. Church in the Ivory Coast, and co-founder with her husband, Bishop Bryant, of the A.M.E. Church in India.
Bishop Bryant has pastored three churches, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Fall River, Maine; St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cambridge, Maine; and Bethel A.M.E. Church, Baltimore, Maryland. Under his pastoral ministry, 103 men and women have entered the Christian Ministry. Bishop Bryant has been a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, having preached the gospel for over 55 years. He is currently on staff at Payne Theological Seminary as a Mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Degree Program.
Bishop Bryant and Rev. Dr. Bryant are the parents of The Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant and The Rev. Dr. Thema Simone Bryant Davis.
“We are excited that two major giants in their own right will come and celebrate with us,” said Pastor Johnson.” They are very close to my heart. They are my former pastor and First Lady. I thought it would be a blessing for them to come and be a part of our 136th Church Anniversary service.”
Pastor Johnson is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and served in the United States Coast Guard. He joined the rank of Ministers at Bethel A.M.E. Church under the pastorates of Bishop Bryant and Bishop Frank M. Reid III.
In May of 1991 Rev. Johnson became an Associate Minister of Waters A.M.E. Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, and has served in several other areas of the A.M.E. church leading up to his pastorship at Trinity. He and his wife of 40 years, the Rev. Robin D. Johnson have three children and three grandchildren.
Trinity’s daylong celebration also includes dinner, which will be served between the morning and afternoon services. Pastor Johnson talked about another highlight of the church’s anniversary celebration.
“We will be recognizing all of our seniors,” said Pastor Johnson. “We call them our ‘Young Plus.’ In my ministry, there are two areas very dear to me, which are often left out – our young people and our seniors. Sometimes, we tend to forget we did not get to where we are by ourselves. Our seniors helped paved the way. We are going to celebrate them.”
Pastor Johnson said the services are open to the public, and he is inviting all to attend.
“John 3:16, which resonates in my spirit all the time, tells us, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’” said Pastor Johnson. “I make sure, and it is my goal that everyone has the opportunity to choose God as their personal Savior. Jesus ministered to the community and they came and followed him. I have got to direct everyone back to the Word of God. The true history is that we are standing on God’s Word. Whosoever is inclusive of everyone. From that persons are birthed into ministry and future ministers and churches are produced.”