Maple Springs on Belt Road
Maple Springs Baptist Church stands on the corner of Belt Road and Pennsylvania Avenue in Capitol Heights, Maryland, in the heart of Prince George's County just east of the District line. The congregation traces its beginnings to a meeting in 1963 at the home of John Hill on South Dakota Avenue NE in Washington, D.C., and over more than six decades has moved several times before settling at the present Belt Road address. The faces have changed, the buildings have changed, but the church's stated mandate of making disciples for Jesus Christ has not.
Today Maple Springs operates as a full-service Baptist congregation with a sanctuary, a multipurpose room, a seminary building, and a wide range of weekly and monthly ministries. Worship services are livestreamed on YouTube, sermons are shared online, and giving can be done online, by text, by mail, or in person during Sunday morning worship. The church describes itself as a place that seeks to affirm the "priesthood of all believers" and to equip, empower and encourage unity among Christians in the Washington metropolitan area and beyond.
A Church That Sees Itself as a Budding Flower
Maple Springs tells its own history in four growing stages, beginning with a seed, moving to a stem and bud, opening into a flower, and finally ripening.
The seed was planted by Reverend James W. Rudasill, Sr., who founded the congregation. The first meeting was held on February 2, 1963, at the home of John Hill on South Dakota Avenue NE, and the first official service took place on March 10, 1963, at 1925 13th Street NW. The church relocated to 1416 Florida Avenue NE and held its first service there on February 6, 1964. The first anniversary was celebrated on March 8, 1964, and the church's first revival was held April 4 through April 9, 1965, with Reverend Chester A. McDonald, Sr. as the revivalist.
The stem and bud stage began when the congregation moved under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Chester A. McDonald, Sr. The membership of 39 relocated to 2628 11th Street NW, then to 3425 Sherman Avenue NW on July 10, 1970. The first church-owned building was purchased on February 5, 1973, at 1601 23rd Street SE. On July 30, 1978, the church purchased land and moved into the new building at the current Belt Road site.
The head and composite flower stage is associated with Reverend Dr. Larry W. Jordan, who became the third pastor on September 16, 2001. Under his leadership the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary was founded in 1986 and was recognized by the State of Maryland as a religious degree-granting institution on September 24, 1992. In 2000 the seminary received full accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). The Maple Springs Community Service Corporation, a non-profit organization focused on youth, was founded in 2001, and the first annual "Health, Fun and Fitness Day" community health event was hosted in October 2004. In April 2007 Maple Springs launched an international ministry in the Dominican Republic, and in 2008 a farming project was started in Kenya's Kericho District to help with food shortages. In February 2009 the Kipsitet Baptist Church Medical Clinic in Kenya was dedicated to distribute medicine and health-care supplies to government dispensaries. Reverend Dr. Jordan retired on December 31, 2016.
The ripening stage arrived when Reverend Jerome (Sam) Tarver, D.Min was selected as the fourth pastor on September 16, 2017 and installed on March 18, 2018.
Pastor Sam Tarver: Navy Chaplain, Judge Advocate, Counselor
Pastor Tarver brings a deeply varied background to the Maple Springs pulpit. He was licensed to preach the Gospel on October 3, 1999, by the late Pastor Emeritus Dr. Chester A. McDonald, Sr., and was ordained on June 23, 2007, by Pastor Emeritus Dr. Larry W. Jordan. He earned both his Master of Divinity (2002) and Doctor of Ministry (2007) degrees, with a Counseling Emphasis, from the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary, where he also serves on the Board of Trustees. He holds a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School (1990) and a Bachelor of Arts in Afro-American Studies and Political Science from Brown University (1987).
Tarver is a 30-year veteran of the United States Navy, retiring at the rank of Commander after serving as a Navy Judge Advocate representing Wounded Warriors. His military career also included service as a Prosecutor, Defense Counsel, Legal Assistance Department Head, and a six-month recall to active duty as Deputy Legal Counsel for the National Defense University. Outside the Navy, he spent more than 22 years as an Ethics Official at the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Office of General Counsel (OGC), coordinating the Bureau's Government ethics program and advising on ethical integrity and equal employment opportunity laws. He performed a temporary detail for the White House during the Clinton Administration and represented the agency in Equal Employment Opportunity Hearings.
His favorite Scripture is Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" He and his wife Lovie have led the MSBC Youth Ministry and the Hope Missionary Program for the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Organization, and Tarver has served as Chair of the Prince George's Fatherhood Initiative, Chair of the Prince George's County Law and Public Policy Program, a Mentor at Largo High School's Academy of Law and Public Policy, a Guest Lecturer for the State of Maryland's Law Links Program, and a member of the boards of the Cornell Law School and the Ellington Preparatory Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as Congressman Steny Hoyer's Service Academy Selection Committee. He has been a member of Maple Springs and a resident of Prince George's County for more than 25 years, an affiliation that began when he was stationed at the Washington Navy Yard.
First Lady Lovie Tarver
First Lady Minister Lovie Browne Tarver, a native of Woodbury, New Jersey, accepted the Lord at an early age and grew up serving as a youth leader, missionary and choir member. She served as MSBC's Director of Youth Ministries for 17 years and was licensed to preach the Gospel on October 9, 2021. She is the Executive Director of the Maple Springs Community Service Corporation and serves in the Worship and Support Department, the Nursery Ministry, the Praise and Worship Team, and two choirs. She is the lead teacher for Hope Missionaries in the Youth Division of the Lott Carey Foreign Missions Convention, and serves as Site Coordinator for the Pen or Pencil Movement at MSBC.
Lovie holds a Master's degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, and has more than 25 years of professional experience as a Program and Project Manager supporting federal government contracts. She currently serves as a Project Director and Corporate Compliance Officer for Purisolve, Inc. Her favorite Scripture is Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
Sunday Mornings at Maple Springs
The weekly rhythm at Maple Springs centers on Sunday. Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs to 10:00 a.m., with classes available for all ages beginning at six years old, including special classes for young adults and married couples. The Sunday morning Worship Service begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs to 12:30 p.m.
The first Sunday of each month is Youth Sunday. Communion is served on the second Sunday of each month. Renewed Children's Church meets on the third and fourth Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room for youth ages six to 18. Baby dedications are held once a quarter on the second Sunday, immediately after the morning worship service.
Throughout the rest of the week, NoonDay Bible Study gathers on Mondays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Tuesdays bring a full evening: Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. followed by Bible Study at 7:30 p.m., both running an hour. A Mission Food Distribution operates out of the church on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. as part of the food bank ministry. Saturday mornings feature a Youth Dance Rehearsal from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the Shekinah Glory Dance Ministry rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
A number of ministries meet on a set monthly cadence. The Trustee Meeting gathers on the second Thursday at 7:00 p.m., the Married Couples Ministry on the second Friday at 7:00 p.m., the Nurses Ministry and Women of Purpose Ministry on the second Saturday at 10:00 a.m., the Deacons Ministry on the third Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., the Seniors Ministry Meeting on the third Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., the Youth Ministry Activity on the third Friday at 7:00 p.m., and the Men's Ministry Meeting on the third Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
What Visitors Will Find
Visitors are welcomed warmly. Parking is available on all four sides of the building, and the church encourages visitors to register ahead of time so that a designated visitor's parking spot can be reserved. The main entry to the building is on the Belt Road side, which is closer to most of the general parking, with additional entry doors at the corners of the building. The Pennsylvania Avenue side is also open as an entry, with restrooms located near both the Belt Road and Pennsylvania Avenue doors.
Information Desks are staffed by Ambassadors in the lobby, and monitors placed in the main hallway can also answer questions about the church and upcoming events. Dress at Maple Springs ranges widely. Some members wear suits and ties, others go business casual with slacks and a button-down shirt, and many wear jeans and a T-shirt. As the church puts it, "God looks at the soul, not at the suit."
The nursery provides care during morning worship services for children under six. The third and fourth Sundays also feature Renewed Children's Church for youth ages six to 18 in the Multipurpose Room.
Beliefs, Core Values and the Open-Heart Logo
Maple Springs' statement of faith teaches that there is one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - subsisting in unity and as three distinct Persons. Jesus Christ is God's Son, born of a virgin as both God and man, who lived a sinless life, died to atone for human sin, was buried, rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will literally return. The Holy Spirit is the divine helper who reveals Christ, convicts of sin, leads to repentance, guides, comforts, strengthens and sanctifies. The Bible is God's Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for life. Human beings were created in God's image, fell through Adam's sin, and are redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift received through repentance and faith. Baptism is by immersion after salvation and is done in obedience to Christ's command, and the Lord's Supper is observed in accordance with the Bible's teaching, "Do this in remembrance of me." Each believer has direct access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The church's three stated core values are Compassion, Generosity and Service. Compassion is grounded in 1 Peter 3:8 and Matthew 5:16, calling members to demonstrate love in action through concern for others. Generosity is anchored in Proverbs 11:25 and Malachi 3:10, the latter of which promises that those who bring the full tithe into the storehouse will see God open the windows of heaven. Service draws on Mark 10:45 and 1 Peter 4:10, reminding members that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.
The church logo centers on an open blue heart. The heart represents Christ's love demonstrated by going to the cross and the loyalty that kept Him there. Because the heart is open, the church is open both to receive His love and to pour it out into the world. Three phrases capture this: "Love Lives Here, Love Lingers Here, and Love Leaves Here." The blue heart is where, in the church's words, "Hope and Healing Meet Love."
Education and Training Across the Lifespan
Under the direction of Reverend Cynthia Parker-Bolden, D.Min, the Education and Training Ministry addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual and educational needs of members and the surrounding community. It runs more than a dozen distinct programs.
The IGNITE! Ministry offers Christ-centered personal and spiritual development classes and workshops in the fall and spring. The Vacation Bible School runs for one week, normally in June, with classes for youth and adults. Sunday School opens at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday with classes for all ages beginning at age six. The Tuesday-night and Wednesday-noon Bible Studies are designed to equip members to be disciples and ambassadors for Jesus Christ through in-depth study and discussion.
The Scholarship Ministry provides tuition assistance to church members for up to four years of college or trade-school education. The Tutorial Ministry provides academic support, homework help and cultural enrichment during the academic year (October through May), staffed by qualified educators. The Health and Wellness Ministry raises awareness of health-care issues and resources for living a spiritually, emotionally, physically, intellectually and interpersonally balanced life. The New Members Ministry unites new members into the fellowship through orientation, doctrinal teaching, and matching new members with a ministry of their own. The Workforce Development Ministry hosts job and career fairs, workshops on all aspects of employment, resume writing help, and partnerships with community and government agencies for job placement.
The Cultural Education and Experience Ministry (C.E.E.M.) develops activities, gathers and distributes information on African American culture, daily life, progress, diversity, contributions and achievements, and hosts Black History Month programs with guest speakers and cultural presentations. The Recreation Ministry supports Christian-based sports leagues and operates a Softball Team that plays in the local community each baseball season. The Toastmasters Ministry provides a positive learning experience for members to develop communication and leadership skills.
Family Life: Men, Women, Seniors, Couples and Youth
Under the direction of Reverend Bertha Gaymon, the Family Life Ministry focuses on the family as a whole and on each individual that makes it up. "Whether a family of one or many, we are here to serve your family's needs," the ministry explains, with a scriptural grounding in Malachi 4:6.
The Men's Ministry is open to men 18 and older. Through fellowship, prayer and Bible study, the men support one another's Christian walk, support other ministries within the church and reach out into the community. The men meet on the third Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
The Women of Purpose Ministry brings women together for fellowship, worship and teaching, and aims to develop women united in faith by the Word of God. The women meet on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m., with a weekly prayer call every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
The Seniors' Ministry exists to show appreciation to senior members for their contributions, to facilitate Christian-based fellowship, recreational and educational opportunities for seniors in the church and community, and to foster intergenerational teaching by seniors to the church's youth. The seniors meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
The Married Couples Ministry is committed to strengthening marriages, enriching families and impacting the community for Jesus Christ. It hosts a Married Couples Sunday School class, monthly fellowships, and periodic off-site retreats focused on communication, spirituality, conflict resolution, finances, parenting and intimacy. The couples meet on the third Friday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Youth and Young Adults share a vision of filling members with "love in action" and creating ministry experiences that empower them to serve their communities. Youth (ages 18 and under) have a Junior Bible Study on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Renewed Children's Church on the third and fourth Sundays at 10:30 a.m., and youth activities on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Young Adults (ages 19 to 39) gather for Connected Services on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Counseling Ministry
Under the direction of Deacon Emeritus James Thompson, the MSBC Counseling Ministry (MSBCCM) is committed to providing Christ-centered therapeutic counseling through trained Christian counselors. The goal is to offer scripturally sound, professionally based and morally grounded confidential counseling to the church family and the wider local community. The ministry seeks to help people "lay aside the weights that so easily beset us" and "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Services include individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults, group psychotherapy, premarital and marital therapy, family therapy, psychiatric and psychological evaluation, testing and assessment, career counseling, and organizational consultation. Community education is provided through workshops, seminars and a speakers' bureau. No fees are charged for counseling; love donations to the church are accepted. A Grief Share and Bereavement recovery support group is also offered to help people move from mourning to joy after the death of a loved one.
Connect Ministry: From First Visit to Lifelong Belonging
Under the direction of Lady Lovie Tarver, the Connect Ministry exists to connect people to a living, personal relationship with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, to nurture new believers with the eternal Word of God, and to equip them as effective witnesses and community "transformers." Five sub-ministries do this work.
Ambassadors greet members and friends, assist VIPs (Very Important Parishioners, a.k.a. visitors), count weekly attendance, and assist the Pastor and First Lady with greeting visitors and inviting them to a meet-and-greet after the service. They meet on the second Wednesday of every month.
Brand Management ensures that all outward-facing communications include MSBC branding, creates banners, flyers and promotional collateral, and helps collect and create content for the church's social media channels. They meet on the second Monday of every month.
ConneXion Point engages new members, helps them connect to a ministry of their choice, and works alongside the Deacons and Deaconesses to ensure new members are acclimated and retained, with the goal of connecting each new member to at least one ministry.
The Love Letter is a member newsletter that informs members about events, developments and activities; inspires them with articles of connection, collaboration, celebration, milestones and partnerships; and invites members to contribute articles, conduct interviews and craft human-interest stories.
Missing in Action follows up with members who have not recently attended, and maintains contact with members who are away for college, military deployment, extended work travel, or incarceration in prison, providing care packages and ensuring their needs are met.
Worship and Arts
Under the direction of Elder Jeff Jacobs, the Worship and Arts Ministry serves in dance, song, mime, theatrical drama and instrumental music. The primary focus is to render a well-rounded musical repertoire that glorifies God and edifies the congregation while supporting the vision of the Pastor.
The Music Ministry provides all musical needs and requests for worship services, accompanies the Pastor for communal fellowships, and produces concerts featuring guest artists and local choirs as well as seasonal productions for Resurrection Sunday, Christmas Day and Watch Night. Four choirs are part of the program. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses two Thursdays prior to the second Sunday. The Men's Chorus rehearses two Mondays prior to the third Sunday. Voices of Praise (VOP) rehearses two Wednesdays prior to the fourth Sunday. The Chester Allen McDonald (CAM) Youth Chorale rehearses two Wednesdays prior to the first Sunday.
The Shekinah Glory Dance Ministry invokes, reflects and celebrates the manifest presence of God through dance for both youth and adults. The Agape Drama Ministry uses various styles of drama and live theater to bring hope through Jesus Christ, and hosts two major productions each year at Resurrection Sunday and Christmas.
Ministry of Service
Under the direction of Reverend Wayne Heatley, the Ministry of Service oversees Major Events and Initiatives, Hospitality, the Flower Ministry, and four specialized service ministries.
The Pastor's Aid provides support to the Pastor as he shepherds the congregation, including maintaining the Pastor's clergy garments, providing pulpit service each Sunday, welcoming visitors with a reception following each Sunday morning service, and sending gift bags to visitors, sympathy cards to bereaved families, and Christmas cards to every member on the Pastor's behalf.
The Senior (and Junior) Usher Ministry is committed to the ministry of helps. As Romans 12:13 puts it, the ushers are committed to "distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." They greet, seat and assist the congregation and support the Pastor in any way possible, meeting on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Maple Springs Bible College and Seminary.
The Security Ministry is made up of men and women with a heart for God and a passion for the safety and security of all MSBC members and visitors, providing on-the-spot services for emergencies, major and special events. The Nurses' Ministry provides temporary, critical and non-critical care during all church services, comfort to bereaved families at funeral services, and periodic training for blood pressure, CPR and glucose testing.
Christian Service and Missions
Under the direction of Deaconess Macleta Kingsland, the Christian Service Ministry seeks to reach up to God, reach out in service, and reach down to help those in the community. The ministry pursues its impact through voter registration drives and educational forums, census involvement, community assistance, meal distribution, a food bank, re-entry assistance, workforce development including community job and career fairs, street ministry and evangelism, and partnerships with the American Red Cross, the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Association, the Maple Springs Community Service Corporation, and the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary.
Under the direction of Deacon Herbert Hawkins, the Missions and Outreach Ministry provides a holistic, spiritually edifying ministry centered on foreign and domestic missions and evangelism. Activities include the Adopt-A-Family program, sharing food and necessities during Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Kids Against Hunger food-packing event, clothing and apparel giveaways, a Missions and Outreach Ministry Day, Lott Carey Mission trips, Lott Carey Conferences, and disaster relief. The Home, Hospital and Prison Ministry (HHP) makes weekly visits to residential homes, nursing homes, hospitals and prisons for members who are unable to attend in person. The Missionary Society serves members' holistic needs, and the Foreign Missions Ministry provides resources and partnerships with Lott Carey to reach people in poverty and disaster areas around the world. The food bank provides daily distribution of food to those in need in the local community.
Giving and Stewardship
Maple Springs teaches that tithing is about relationship with God, not about money. The Bible teaches that the tithe, typically 10 percent of income, is brought to the Lord as worship. Anything given above and beyond the tithe is an offering. Members are encouraged to exercise wise stewardship and discouraged from irresponsible use of resources, especially credit cards. The church encourages total stewardship of time, talent and treasure.
Tithes and offerings primarily go into the general fund to propagate the gospel and fulfill the ministry of the church to build God's Kingdom. Members and supporters can give online, by texting LOVEINACTION to 73256, in person during Sunday morning worship using an envelope, or by mailing a check with a completed offering envelope to 4131 Belt Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Online giving is also available through the Realm member portal.
Services to Members and Families
Maple Springs welcomes phone calls from members and visitors about a range of life-event services. Baptisms are available for those wishing to be baptized at MSBC. Weddings are celebrated at the church, with couples invited to speak with the church office about getting married there. Baby dedications are held once every quarter on the second Sunday, immediately after the morning worship service. Funerals can also be arranged through the church, and the Counseling Ministry offers follow-up support for bereaved families.
Prayer Wall and Pastoral Connection
The church maintains a Prayer Wall where members, friends and visitors can post prayer requests and praise reports. People who see a request or report can click a "Praying" button to indicate they are praying for that need, or a "Praising" button to indicate they are celebrating alongside the writer. The portal is also used by the pastor and ministry leaders to lift up the congregation, and new requests can be submitted through the prayer wall form.
Partners and Affiliated Ministries
Four partner organizations are central to Maple Springs' work. The American Red Cross partners with the church on community emergencies and humanitarian needs. Lott Carey, a global Christian missional community, extends the church's reach through prayer partnership, financial support and technical assistance, working alongside indigenous communities for evangelism, compassion, empowerment and advocacy around the world. The Maple Springs Community Service Corporation (MSCSC) produces and promotes charitable, social and educational programming focused on youth and senior empowerment, job readiness, academic enrichment, restorative justice, and health and wellness education. The Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary, founded in 1986 and fully accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) since 2000, seeks to produce Christ-centered leaders equipped to fulfill the Great Commission, with or without previous undergraduate training.
Leadership and Staff
The church is led by Pastor Reverend Jerome (Sam) Tarver, D.Min, with the active support of the Executive Minister Elder Carlvern Dunn and the service of Pastor Emeritus Reverend Larry W. Jordan. The ministry directors include Reverend Cynthia Parker-Bolden, D.Min (Education and Training), Deaconess Macleta Kingsland (Christian Service), Lady Lovie Tarver (Connect), Deacon Emeritus James Thompson (Counseling), Reverend Bertha Gaymon (Family Life), Reverend Wayne Heatley (Ministry of Service), Deacon Herbert Hawkins (Missions and Outreach), and Elder Jeff Jacobs (Worship and Arts). The Deacons Ministry is chaired by Deacon Carl Dunn, the Deaconess Ministry by Deaconess Charlene Hamilton, the Trustees Ministry by Trustee James Ballentine, and the Finance Ministry by Deaconess Tina Hunter. Associate Ministers include Reverend Alan Bolden, Reverend April Jenkins, Reverend Barbie Daughtry, Reverend Gary Daughtry, Reverend Robert Carr, Reverend Wayne Heatley, Reverend Louis Jenkins, Reverend Jeffery Bates, Elder Dana Van Brakle, Minister Gloria Van Brakle, Minister Maxine Dillard and Minister Netherly Coles (Young Adult Ministry Lead). The church's operational work is carried out by a Director of Communications, an Executive Assistant, a Church Administrator, an Office Assistant, a Church Secretary, a Church Treasurer and a Church Clerk, supported by Trustees, Vice Chairs and Trustees Emeritus.
Sermons are shared on YouTube, audio sermons are also available on SoundCloud, and the church keeps an active presence on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Members also access information and resources through the Realm member portal, where giving and event sign-ups are integrated.