Reverend Hollie Marie Lopes, from Boston, Massachusetts, accepted her call into ministry in 2000. Reverend Lopes is one of the Assistant Pastors of the Beloved Community Church (BCC), in Accokeek, MD,  where Reverend Samoris and Reverend Dr. Paula Hall are pastors. She is the minister and founder of the Priceless Gems Ministry which has a three-fold focus: To education the community and church with the Social Justice travesty known as Human Sex Trafficking and the intimacy in which it evades the surrounding communities; to develop meaningful relationships with survivors; and support organizations that provide shelter, clothes, food, and critical life skills to survivors of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence. Reverend Lopes is a member of the Prince George’s County and Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force. In 2017, Reverend Lopes received the Good Samaritan-S/Hero Award for her continued efforts serving Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking communities and organizations. In 2018, Reverend Lopes received the Leadership Award from the Prince George County Human Relations Commission / Human Trafficking Task force her continued development of training programs, seminars, and services within the DMV area.

She is a proud parent of two children, Emarii Briana Holton Lopes, age 27, a 2019 graduate of the University of Akron where she received her Masters of Music majoring in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Opera. Emarii is currently seeking her second master in arts administration at the same university. Emarii was married in March 2023 and lives
in Temple Hills with her family. Andrew Holton, age 24 is a 2017 graduate of Riverdale Baptist High School and is currently an Alexandria firefighter recruit in the fire academy. Reverend Lopes is an Assistant Director for the Internal Revenue Service and has over 32 years of experience in the technology field. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Chi Omega Chapter in which serves on the Spiritual & Inspiration and Membership committees. Reverend Lopes’ educational achievement includes a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration in Finance and International Business from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts; Programming Degree from Cambridge Institute; Cambridge; Management Degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Reverend Lopes received her Master’s of Divinity degree from the School of Divinity at Howard University in May 2009. Prior to joining BCC, Reverend Lopes was part of the ministerial staff of Grace United Methodist Church where she served for twelve years in numerous leadership capacities. She developed numerous ministries including the Abstinence Till Marriage, Pearls of Perfection, and Single Parenting. Reverend Lopes had the privilege of teaching Children’s Church, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, UMC School of Christians Growth, AME Sunday school conventions, seminars, and various retreats across denominations.

Reverend Deborah Jones is an active member of The Beloved Community Church in Fort Washington, Maryland where Reverends Paula and Samoris Hall are the Pastors. She is currently an assistant pastor and Director of Christian Education. Her ministerial experiences include working with women, youth, young and senior adults, liturgical dance, family groups, human trafficking/Domestic Violence, HIV, missions local and foreign, and communications ministries.

She loves teaching as well as preaching and counseling. She completed her MDIV at Howard University School of Divinity. She was licensed and ordained at Fort Foote Baptist Church. She was graduated from Morgan State University, and was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta, Inc, Alpha Gamma Chapter. She completed Medical School at Rutgers in New Jersey. She is currently part of is the Division of Neonatology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital where she cares for and ministers to critically ill infants and their families along with training medical students, residents and neonatal fellows.

She continues ministry at work serving as Chair of the Missions and Pastoral Care Advisory Committee. She believes that her pastor grandfather passed his spiritual mantle of “Loving God and loving all of God’s people” to her. She desires to always to be available to the Lord, to continue to grow spiritually, and to be a true worshipper no matter in what circumstances she finds herself. One of her favorite scriptures is: Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” She is striving to live a content Christ centered life.

Reverend Carl E. Taylor, Sr. grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey. He is the middle child of William H. Taylor, Jr. and Carrie B. Taylor.  He received his primary education and secondary education from the Willingboro Township public school system and is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School.  His academic pursuits continued at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, majoring in Sociology with a minor in psychology, where he acquired his Bachelor Degree.

In 2004, he graduated Suma Cum Laude with a dual Masters Degree in Human Resources Management and Business Management from Webster University. Reverend Taylor was licensed to preach the gospel January 11, 1998 and ordained December 8, 2002. He began his walk with God long before being called to the ministry as a young man at his home church, Saints Memorial Community Church.  Rev. Taylor and family became members of Fort Foote Baptist Church (FFBC) July 1993 where they were involved with various ministries.

Prior to his call to the ministry Rev. Taylor served as a Deacon at his former church and Fort Foote Baptist Church for six years, three as the Deacon Trainer.  He served as the Chairperson for the Youth Ministry for three years before his appointment as Youth Minister in January 1998. While Youth Minster he served for ten years as the District of Columbia Baptist Convention Youth Retreat Teacher and Group Leader.  Rev. Taylor also served as the first Drummer for the FFBC Youth Choir (Vessels of Praise) for 13 years before he retired from the choir in January 2006. Rev. Taylor is one of the founding ministers/leaders of the Beloved Community Church which started back in 2007.

Rev. Taylor currently wears a few hats; Assistant Church Administrator, Chairperson of the Men’s Ministry, Chairperson of the Act of Kindness Ministry, Pastor over the Stewardship Ministry and Drummer in the Music Ministry and any other services needed. First and foremost Rev. Taylor gives GOD all the Glory, Honor, and Praise!!! He thanks God for his loving and devoted wife Pamela of 37 years (high school sweetheart), his wonderful and poetic son Carl Jr. (40 years old), and his wonderful, sweet spirit filled singing daughter Sharese, (35 years old).  His favorite scriptures are Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding,  In all thine ways acknowledge him and he shall direct our paths.” Ministry Leadership & participation:

• Music ministry – Drummer
• Men’s Ministry (Chair) – Iron Men of BCC
• SHARE Program
• Mentoring ministry
• Social Justice
• Act of Kindness Ministry (Chair) – Benevolence
• Pastor over Stewardship Ministry

Ordination Date: December 8, 2002 Guiding Scripture for life: Proverbs 3:5-6