At 17620 Washington Grove Lane in Gaithersburg, Maryland, First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Gaithersburg carries the motto “Diverse in Culture, United by Faith.” The congregation is also known as the “Miracle Church in Gaithersburg,” a name rooted in the completion of its first worship facility eight months after construction began in June 1988.
Sunday Worship at 11:00 and Monthly Church School
Sunday worship begins at 11:00 a.m. in person and online. First AME welcomes all guests to join the congregation for worship, and the service is livestreamed through YouTube and Facebook. Visitors can watch the live service. The church office is at 17620 Washington Grove Lane, with telephone 240-632-9760 and email choffice@firstamegaithersburg.org.
Online Bible study is held Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Church School meets at noon on the third Saturday through Zoom and at 9:30 a.m. in person on the third Sunday. The livestream is the same 11:00 a.m. Sunday gathering.
Why the Church Calls It the Miracle
The church's journey dates to April 27, 1984, when the Washington Annual Conference closed at Turner Memorial AME Church. Bishop John Hurst Adams read the pastoral appointment of the Rev. Dr. Lois Ann Poag Ray to the Rockville and Gaithersburg areas. Her leadership and persistence began the work that became First AME Gaithersburg.
The first fellowship and organizational meeting took place June 8, 1984, at the Gaithersburg Community Center, with Brother James Walker and Sister Lorine Walker participating. Three weeks later, the first worship service was held July 1 at Gaithersburg High School, selected for its convenience to Route 355. Rev. Poag Ray preached “Cast Out Your Net” from John 21:1-11, addressing the challenge before the small body of believers. The first three years brought struggle and growth, and the believers witnessed God's authority, provision, assurance and control.
During the fourth year, the congregation made a down payment on two and a half acres and secured a loan for the land and a worship facility. Construction began in June 1988, and the church became a reality eight months later, giving rise to the “Miracle in Gaithersburg” name. An additional half acre on the east side of the sanctuary was acquired in April 2002.
Five Pillars, Shared Faith and Wider Fellowship
The first full-time pastor, the Rev. Dr. Eddie Lewis Williams, served from 1993 to 1996. He established Prayer, Career, Tape and Young People's Bible ministries and insisted that five pillars shape the church's work: Worship, Ministry, Discipleship, Evangelism and Fellowship.
In 1996, the Rev. Charles Smith sought to unite believers regardless of denomination. During his tenure, he developed annual Lenten services that brought together other AME churches and United Methodist churches for worship and fellowship. The theme became “Striving for Unity of the Spirit.” First AME continued growing as the Miracle Church while pursuing unity and winning souls for Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Y. Glenn led from 2002 through 2019, with her husband serving as assistant pastor. She emphasized worship, Bible study and Christian education. As membership grew, the church established children's church with learning tailored to young people and developed youth, men's and women's ministries. Women's Ministry offered spiritual and relational growth and support for women in their various roles, while Men's Ministry encouraged greater male participation. A Health Ministry emphasized healthy lifestyles, and C.R.R.O.S.S., Community Resources, Referral and Outreach Support Services, was created. The land from the parking lot to the east fence line became debt free.
The Rev. Dr. Vanetta Brice later served seven years as pastor, emphasizing prayer, Bible teaching and prophetic preaching. Her leadership carried the congregation through the COVID-19 pandemic while sustaining worship and outreach. As a certified public accountant, she stressed budgeting and sound financial management and helped lead the church to become debt free. She then became the first female Presiding Elder of the Potomac District of the Washington Conference, and Rev. Latia E. Suite succeeded her at First AME.
Ushers, Choirs, YPD and Golden Gems
First AME's ministries include:
- Ushers
- Missionaries
- YPD
- Golden Gems
- Youth Choir
- Adult Choir
- Men's Choir
- Women's Ministry
- Sons of Allen
- Media Ministry
The church also invites participation through youth and young adult ministries and its Golden Gems ministry.
Pastor Latia Suite's Road to First AME
The Rev. Latia E. Suite serves as pastor of First AME Church of Gaithersburg. She accepted a call into the preaching ministry at Union Bethel AME under Pastor Charles T. Sembly in July 2004 and was ordained an itinerate deacon in April 2007. She then assisted Pastor Joan King at St. Luke AME in Ellicott City, serving as an assistant and youth minister for eight years. Ordained an itinerate elder in April 2009, she returned to Union Bethel in 2016 and spent five years ministering to youth and young adults. Her first pastoral charge was St. John AME in Hughesville, Maryland, beginning in 2022.
Rev. Suite graduated with honors from Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She also holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Master of Theology from St. Mary's Seminary. She served seven years as coordinator for Washington Conference Women in Ministry and serves as president of Second Episcopal District Women in Ministry.
C.R.R.O.S.S., Healthy Lifestyles and Practical Giving
The church connects its appeal for generosity with carrying one another's burdens and cites Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” It calls gifts tax-deductible and says they enable the church to seek out and save the lost and serve needy people in local communities and the world. Giving is available through Givelify, by text to 240-474-9760, or by mail. Checks and money orders are payable to First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Gaithersburg at 17620 Washington Grove Lane, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. The church's online giving options include these choices.
The Miracle Continues in Gaithersburg
At Washington Grove Lane, First AME continues the story that began with an 1984 organizational meeting and a first worship service at Gaithersburg High School. Its work remains grounded in the five pillars, the motto “Diverse in Culture, United by Faith,” and the identity of the “Miracle Church in Gaithersburg.”