Pastors’ Sessions

The Pastor’s Role in Christian Education

This class will address the necessity of Pastor’s participation in Christian Education and how it promotes learning and leads to the vitality of the church and ultimately spiritual growth among members.

Presenter: Rev. Raymond Edmonds, Jr., Falls Road A.M.E.

Rev. Raymond F. Edmonds, Jr. was born and raised in Chesapeake, VA and is the son of Raymond and Elnor Edmonds. Rev. Edmonds received his early education in the Chesapeake Public School System. He is a proud graduate of Morgan State University where he majored in Philosophy with a concentration in Religious Studies. Rev. Edmonds is employed at Social Security Administration as a Human Resource Specialist. In April 1994, Rev. Edmonds was ordained an Itinerant Elder by Bishop Frederick Calhoun James. In October 1995, Bishop James appointed him to give birth to a new ministry, Gethsemane A.M.E. Church. He faithfully served that congregation for 13 years. He was assigned as Pastor of Falls Road A.M.E. Church by Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. on October 18, 2008. Rev. Edmonds is committed to kingdom building and he loves the Lord with his whole heart. His favorite passage of scripture is "And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Rev. Edmonds is married to Rev. Jerri Edmonds and they are the proud parents of Raymond III and Cierra.

Small Group Ministry

This class will address the purpose and process of developing a small group ministry and look at how to measure the progress of group and to evaluate warning signs and signs of successful groups.

Small Group II Best Practices in Small Groups, Models that Work

This class will continue to address the purpose and process of developing a small group ministry and how to measure the progress. Further discussion will allow participants to share successful models.

Presenter: Rev. Vernon Ware, Pilgrim A.M.E.

Reverend Vernon Ware serves as the Senior Pastor of Pilgrim AME Church in Northeast, Washington DC. Rev. Ware has a unique style of preaching and teaching which is relevant, impactful, and empowering. He has been blessed to proclaim God’s Word both nationally and internationally. He believes that ministry should change lives, encourage hearts, inspire minds, and strengthen souls! Rev. Ware received his Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity where he also served as Student Government President. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University. Rev. Ware’s favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 and he believes that with God, all things are possible, and God always has a plan despite how things may look. He gives God the honor, the praise, and the glory for all that God has done in his life and for all that is to come.