An independent, Christ-centered congregation in Jamaica, Queens, has spent nearly four decades growing from a small worshiping community in another church's sanctuary into a body that runs its own school, feeds its neighbors through a food pantry, and reaches "beyond the walls" of its building. New Jerusalem Worship Center, founded in 1988 and located at 12205 Smith Street, calls itself a "church that faith is building" and defines its purpose with a single phrase: "Connecting people to God and to each other."
From a Borrowed Sanctuary to 12205 Smith Street
The congregation was born in 1988 with a small but determined group of believers who worshiped each week at Mount Sinai Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Queens Village, the church did not yet have a permanent home. Rev. James C. Kelly, Sr., the founder, emphasized faithful stewardship through tithing, and the church family worked together, without external funding, until they were able to construct a sanctuary of their own at 122-05 Smith Street in Jamaica, NY. That address has been home ever since.
Rev. Kelly retired in 2004, leaving behind a strong spiritual legacy. That same year, the congregation called Rev. Dr. Calvin Rice to serve as their second pastor. He was overwhelmingly elected on July 14, 2004, and began his pastorate on January 2, 2005. Under his leadership, the church completed construction and renovation of a multi-million dollar edifice, grew its membership, and expanded ministries that intentionally go "beyond the walls" to address the immediate needs of the community.
Sundays on Smith Street: Worship, Sunday School, and Bible Study
Worship at New Jerusalem follows a steady weekly rhythm that a first-time visitor can step into easily.
Sunday School begins at 9:15 AM and opens the morning with Bible teaching and small-group connection for every age.
Sunday Morning Worship starts at 10:30 AM. The gathering typically includes congregational singing of hymns, the reading of Scripture (often a psalm), and a sermon rooted in the Bible. Communion is celebrated regularly. Services are held in English and are livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. A sermon archive is available on demand.
Wednesday Bible Study runs from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, giving members a midweek pause to dig into the Word alongside other believers.
Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM EST, when staff can be reached by phone or in person.
Bishop Calvin Rice and a Multi-Year Pastoral Transition
Bishop Calvin Rice, a native of Union, South Carolina, brings decades of ministry, civic leadership, and pastoral experience to New Jerusalem. He graduated in the last segregated class from the historic Sims High School, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the College of Staten Island, a Master's in Religion from the New York Theological Seminary, and a Certificate of Study from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is also a New York State Certified Chaplain and served as the Protestant Chaplain at the South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island.
His wider civic reach is remarkable. He has held leadership positions with the New York Urban League, the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, the College of Staten Island Advisory Board, the Sisters of Charity Medical Center, the Staten Island Borough President's Anti-Bias Task Force, and Mayor Bloomberg's NYC Economic Development Task Force. He was designated Staten Island chairperson of President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative by Congressman Vito Fossella. In 1997, he became the only living African American to have a New York City street in Staten Island named in his honor. He was inducted into the Staten Island College Hall of Fame, and has received nearly 100 plaques and certificates, including proclamations from the Governor of New York, three NYC Mayors, a U.S. Senator, and two NYC Councilmen. In 2012, he received the Vernon M. Dougherty Distinction in Ministry Award, the highest honor given by New York Theological Seminary to alumni who have distinguished themselves in lay or ordained ministry for at least fifteen years.
Inside the church, Bishop Rice is known as a uniquely gifted preacher and teacher. In September 1999, he founded the Genesis Bible Institute, a school dedicated to training ministers and laypeople, accredited as a satellite of Virginia Union Seminary of Richmond, VA, through the Eastern Baptist Association of Brooklyn. He has licensed, ordained, and mentored 33 ministers, nine of whom are now pastoring churches, and he helped establish two Liberian congregational churches. In 2013, he traveled with a delegation of distinguished clergy to the Republic of South Africa and Swaziland, coordinating theological and pastoral care training for ministers through the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
In September 2010, he opened the Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS), where he continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer. The school provides a K-8 early college preparatory program with a balanced multi-literacy approach designed to educate students to "stand out from the crowd" intellectually, historically, culturally, digitally, economically, physically, artistically, and civically.
Bishop Rice is married to Willie Mae Rice, and together they have three adult children and five grandchildren.
Rev. Sondra Townsend-Browne: Forty Years of Ministry at New Jerusalem
Rev. Sondra Townsend-Browne has served New Jerusalem Worship Center since the year it was founded. She joined in 1988 as Youth Coordinator, a role that grew over time into a much wider ministry of Christian education, leadership development, community outreach, and congregational service. She was ordained as a Deacon in 2000, served as Director of Christian Education, and in 2009 answered the call to preach the Gospel. In 2014, she was ordained into the Gospel Ministry and began serving as Executive Minister.
In that role, she helps translate the vision of New Jerusalem into ministry through strategic planning, administration, financial planning, staff and leadership development, and the coordination of the church's diverse ministries. Her service has extended beyond the sanctuary through youth and senior initiatives, literacy and educational programs, food and community outreach, mentoring, and programs designed to strengthen individuals and families. Her guiding conviction, in her own words, is that "ministry is ultimately about people, helping them grow in faith, recognize their potential, discover their gifts, and become equipped to serve others."
A Multi-Year Pastoral Transition with Rev. Todd Johnson
A planned pastoral transition is now underway. Rev. Todd Johnson, M.Div., joined New Jerusalem in March 2026 after the congregation's call for him to succeed Bishop Rice as part of a multi-year process.
A native of Warren, Ohio, Rev. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Community Ministry from Geneva College and a Master of Divinity from Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary, where he is currently pursuing doctoral studies. His pastoral ministry began in Warren, where he succeeded his father as Senior Pastor of Agape Assembly Church in 2012. In 2015, he was called to serve as Senior Pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church of Warren, where he oversaw a decade of congregational growth and expanded ministry, becoming known locally as "A House of Hope." In 2021, he was elected to Warren City Council, where he has served three terms representing the city's First Ward.
Rev. Johnson is married to Lady Shameika R. Johnson, and together they are the parents of three children, London, Elias, and Ethan.
A Five-Fold Ministry Going Beyond the Walls
New Jerusalem's structure is built on what the church calls a "New Testament Five-Fold Ministry" of Fellowship, Discipleship, Worship, Evangelism, and Ministry. Bishop Rice's vision for the church has been to expand those ministries past the building itself and into the surrounding neighborhood of Southeast Queens.
Ministry areas include:
- Christian Education for children, equipping teachers and developing curriculum
- Youth Church and Youth Volunteers, engaging young people in service and leadership
- Small Groups for building relationships and growing in faith together
- Missions and Outreach, including international engagement through the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
- Food Pantry serving the surrounding neighborhood
- Senior initiatives designed to strengthen and serve older adults
- A monthly leadership development training series instituted under Bishop Rice's leadership
- Volunteer opportunities in worship, hospitality, and outreach
- Mosaic, a fellowship for young adults and couples
The church also operates an online giftshop with apparel and accessories, and online giving is available for tithes and offerings.
In 2007, Bishop Rice was one of the original pastoral organizers of Empowered Queens United in Action and Leadership (EQUAL), a citizen power organization made up of congregations in Southeast Queens, Sunnyside, and Woodside. Initiated through the Industrial Areas Foundation, EQUAL is a broad-based, multiracial, non-partisan grassroots organization that empowers people to engage in public decision-making and improve the quality of life in their communities. EQUAL has won victories in leadership development, social security service, and road safety, and successfully organized a charter school for children and families in Southeast Queens.
The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School
The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS) is the most visible expression of New Jerusalem's commitment to children and families in the wider community. Opened in September 2010 under Bishop Rice's leadership, REACS provides an early college preparatory program for students from Kindergarten through Grade 8. The school operates with a balanced multi-literacy approach that educates students to "stand out from the crowd" intellectually, historically, culturally, digitally, economically, physically, artistically, and civically in an increasingly diverse and fast-changing global society.
Beliefs, Mission, and Values
New Jerusalem Worship Center describes itself as an independent, Christ-centered congregation committed to sound biblical teaching, the authority of Scripture, evangelistic concern, loving fellowship, and an emphasis on family and holy living, along with acceptance of people everywhere.
Its stated mission is to share the love of Christ through worship, discipleship, and service. Its vision is "a thriving community transformed by faith, love, and action." Its core values are Faith, Community, Service, and Compassion.
Through its ministries, the church seeks to glorify God by making disciples who know Jesus Christ personally and intimately, who worship Him sincerely, who apply biblical truth to daily living, who generously share with others, and who are burdened and equipped to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Members are encouraged to be "the light" in their daily lives, in their families, and in their neighborhoods.
What to Expect When You Visit
A first-time guest can expect a warm and friendly atmosphere, uplifting worship, and a message that speaks to everyday life. Services are held in English, and Communion is celebrated regularly.
There is no specific dress code at New Jerusalem Worship Center. Members wear everything from "Sunday best" to casual attire. The church asks only that guests bring themselves, an open heart, and an open mind; some bring a Bible to engage in study.
Visitors are encouraged to invite friends and family, especially around the holidays. The Sunday gathering is livestreamed, and an archive of past services is available on demand. Those who wish to get involved can join a small group, volunteer in worship, hospitality, or outreach, support the food pantry, or participate in missions and leadership development.
Visitors may speak with a pastor, call the church office at (718) 978-5777 during office hours (Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM EST), or send a message through the contact page on the church's website.