Brief History of Redeemed House of Prayer Church of God

Due to insufficient data names and other details may have been unintentionally omitted.

        Sometime in the1960’s Missionary Morlean Gray along with her sister Missionary Sarah Jamison founded Redeemed Church of God #3. It was these two pioneers that blazed the trail and laid the foundation in this part of God’s vineyard. Initially the work began as a Mission to distribute food to the community. A short service would be conducted then afterwards the food would be distributed to the residents of the community. As the Lord continued to bless this work souls began to be saved, delivered and set free from sin. This effort had a tremendous affect in the community that the Lord would allow such a refuge to be established in this “neck of the woods.” The Malcolm Community was a sinful, wicked, down trodden area in Charles County Maryland. Located just about a ¼ of a mile from the Mission was the infamous “Dog Patch.”  This den of sin attracted individuals from all over the country to indulge in some of the world’s most unheard of dangerous activities and behavior. During the 1960’s and 70’s this juke joint not only brought drugs and illicit activity, but with it came destruction of peoples lives and their property. It was because of the fervent prayers of the saints in the community that this unwelcomed establishment was closedown.

          As the years went on Evangelist Gray saw the need to return to her spiritual roots and realigned the church with the House of Prayer Church of God, Inc. founded by the Bishop James P. Simms, thus renaming the church, Redeemed House of Prayer Church of God. Countless souls have been added to the Kingdom of God through this ministry with bodies being healed, souls saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Evangelist Gray along with the remnant of saints continued to spread the “straight naked truth” of God’s word to dying men everywhere to “repent and be ye saved”. There were other individuals that would assist and give aid in this work, namely: Elder & Sister Joseph Ford, Brother Michael Thomas (musician), Minister & Mrs. Minifee, Minister & Sister Tolson, Minister Brooks, Missionary Olivia Johnson, Missionary Agnes Simmons and others. Although most of these individuals are now deceased or have moved on in ministry, Mother Simmons is still a very strong supporter and encourager of the ministry. Missionary Olivia Johnson is unable to attend service because of her health but her offspring is well represented in every service.

In 1998 Presiding Bishop Francis S. Myles, Sr. was directed by the Lord to strengthen this branch of Zion in Charles County. After seeking the Lord for direction Bishop Myles asked then Deacon Kevin West and Missionary Gregory Johnson from House of Prayer Church of God #1 (where Bishop Myles is the pastor) if they would accompany him in this endeavor to revive this branch of Zion. Upon arrival they found the once thriving church had reduced down to 3 members including the pastor. These women which were well into their senior part of life, remained faithful in keeping the doors of the church open. With very little financial assistance Mothers Agnes Simmons, Olivia Johnson along with Pastor Morlean Gray kept the lights on for Sunday and Wednesday night service and was ready to serve just in case someone would drop by. Every First Sunday of the month Bishop & Sister Myles, Missionary Johnson and Deacon & Sister West with their young family journeyed to Malcolm to have service. During the week Deacon West & Missionary Johnson would conduct prayer service with the few saints that would gather. From time to time other saints would come down and fellowship in the week night service as they would have opportunity.  

            The process was a long struggle and the way seemed bleak at times, but God always provided hope & help for His people. The renovation projects began and the community watched as the almost condemned building began to perk up. With the help of the Lord through the faithful giving of the saints the “country church” began to have a glow again. Sister Felicia West, wife of Deacon West, caught the vision and began to have special services to raise funds for projects during the renovation process. As the Lord would have it some of the saints from other churches would donate their talent and time to the work of the ministry in electrical work, plumbing, masonry and in whatever job that needed to be done. The word was getting out and people were stopping by to see what was going on with the Redeemed Church, just to find out that the Lord had started rebuilding the work of this church again. To God Be All Glory, the church has undergone a complete renovation: extending of parking lot, painting of the church, replacement of windows, furniture, carpeting, light fixtures, Vinyl Siding, bathroom vanities, musical instruments and sound system. As Pastor Gray watched both Deacon West and Missionary Johnson work together in harmony and unity, she knew that they were truly God sent and was ever grateful to Bishop Myles for his kindness in sending the two. As Deacon West grew in the ministry of proclaiming the Word of God, Pastor Gray felt confident in recommending him to be her successor. She also felt secure as Missionary Johnson took good care of her in making sure she had the necessary things and as he took care of the church temporal needs.

The Lord showed his hand in the plan again by allowing the former young people of Redeemed who are now grown and have children of their own to return to the church and have remained ever since. The church continued to grow spiritually and physically as the power of God was demonstrated in the lives of those that attend. Pastor Gray’s health began to decline and she was not able to attend services anymore. However, she was kept well informed of the church growth and progress as Missionary Johnson made his weekly visits to her home and later to the Nursing Home. God has never left His people without a leader, during these times Elder West was appointed Interim Pastor by Bishop Myles and sanctioned by the Board of Presbytery in February 2006.   Sunday, December 14, 2008, just hours before she transitioned to eternal rest, Pastor Gray was visited and surrounded at her bedside by her church family as we unknowingly said our final goodbye. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelations 14:13.

Knowing that the work of the Lord must go on, Elder Kevin K. West was officially installed as Senior Pastor on November 15, 2009 by the hand of Bishop Francis S. Myles, Sr. Presiding Prelate of the House of Prayer Church of God, Inc.  The church continues to be a beacon of light in the Malcolm Community and a blessing to its residents. The Mission of Redeemed House of Prayer Church of God is to use a holistic approach in leading people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  We seek to establish them as disciples into the Kingdom of God through evangelizing, preaching and practical teaching of God’s word.  With the inspiration of the Lord to carry the message of hope that, “God is Able,” we endeavor to change lives in our community, state and even our nation as the power of the word of God is demonstrated through our lives.

            Redeemed House of Prayer Church of God is a place where Praise, Worship and the Word of God are the Powerful Weapons of Mass Destruction. Everyone is welcomed to fellowship with us, as we share “A Church ALIVE, is worth the DRIVE!”

15160 Regina Avenue Brandywine, Md 20613