THE GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH STORY

First Union Baptist Church, located in the 400 block of 3rd Street, S.W., Washington, D.C., was
organized on December 1st, 1954 by nine sisters and brothers of the church. Those dedicated
members sought guidance from God and elected the late Reverend Luther N. Gause as the
Pastor. Under Pastor Gause’s leadership, First Union Baptist Church relocated to a much larger
facility located at 200 11th Street, N.E., Washington, DC. After the purchase of the new facility,
Reverend Gause and the congregation unanimously voted to change the church name from
“First Union Baptist Church,” to “Galilee Baptist Mission.”
Due to failing health, Rev. Gause asked Reverend William H. Bennett, Sr., a son of Israel Baptist
Church, to minister to the members. On April 21st, 1956, Reverend Gause resigned as the Pastor
of Galilee Baptist Mission and, after the members agreed by voting in May 1956, Reverend
William H. Bennett, Sr. became the new Pastor of Galilee Baptist Mission.
Reverend Bennett was installed as the Pastor on May 13th, 1956. In March 1957, the Recognition
Council held a meeting and the name was again changed to Galilee Baptist Church. Reverend
Bennett served as pastor of the Galilee Baptist Church for 22 years and nine months. With so
many souls coming to Christ, and space being limited, a new church site was purchased at 2252
Minnesota Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC. The membership began to worship at the new site in
December 1977, and a cornerstone was laid in July 1978 for a new building.
Reverend Bennett retired as the Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in January 1979. A church
meeting was held in February 1979, and Reverend Dr. Eugene Weathers was elected the Pastor
of Galilee Baptist Church. Reverend Weathers preached his first sermon as Pastor on March 4th,

In 1979, a building expansion project began at the Minnesota Avenue location and was
completed approximately one year later. With the tremendous increase in the membership, an
early morning service was added at 7:30 a.m. and the 11:00 a.m. services were moved to
Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. to accommodate the “multitude” of worshippers.
Following the vision that God had given him, Reverend Weathers, along with the leadership of
the church, purchased eight and a half acres at 2101 Shadyside Avenue, Suitland, Maryland in
early 1990. The building was renovated to include a sanctuary, administrative offices, and
classrooms. The official move into this new facility was in October of that same year. This
blessed expansion produced two sites for one church: Galilee Baptist Church at 2252 Minnesota
Avenue, Washington, DC, and 2101 Shadyside Avenue, Suitland, Maryland. Reverend Weathers
served as Pastor of Galilee for 18 years and 11 months. Reverend Weathers resigned as the
Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church on February 24th, 1998.

On Saturday, October 23rd, 1999, the members of Galilee Baptist Church extended the
call to Reverend Dr. Lloyd T. McGriff to become Pastor. The following Sunday, Pastor
McGriff brought a word of encouragement with his first sermon, “Count It All Joy,”
challenging the people to put aside differences and move forward. In January 2000, the
Rev. Dr. Lloyd T. McGriff became the fourth pastor in Galilee’s history. The early themes
of Rev. McGriff’s pastorate have been “A Church Doing a New Thing” and “A Church
Determined to Grow for Christ.”
Galilee, under the pastorate of Pastor McGriff, has had a 90% fiscal increase, the
sanctuaries at both sites have been completely renovated, the New Members Class was
restructured, the Growth Institute was developed along with the Couples Ministry,
Singles Ministry, Nursery Ministry, Youth Choir, the Good Samaritan Ministry
(Benevolence), and the Millennials Ministry. With an updated Audio Visual Ministry,
Galilee can enhance the worship experience, which includes online streaming.
The Galilee Community Development Corporation (GCDC) was organized in 2003, to
expand services to the community at large. The GCDC focuses on home ownership,
financial literacy, youth, seniors, veteran support programs, food pantries, clothing
distribution centers, entrepreneurial, and employment services.
Galilee has secured and paid for 50 prime acres of land in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
where a new worship center will be constructed. They also own a facility in the District of
Columbia.
Galilee has two worship services on Sunday; 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. in Suitland,
Maryland. They also have an online audience via Facebook Live, YouTube, and their
website, galileenow.tv.
Pastor McGriff has ordained 11 ministers to the gospel and has installed four as Pastors.
Pastor McGriff is the longest-serving Pastor in the history of Galilee Baptist Church.

VISION & MISSION

• VISION: Building by Faith, Expanding for the Future through Prayer, Purpose, and Provision
• MISSION: Determined to Grow for Christ through Worship, Evangelism, and Discipleship

CORE VALUES

• Believe in God
• Build the Kingdom
• Bless the People

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Ministries will oversee and coordinate the various
ministries within the church or religious organization, ensuring
alignment with the organization’s mission and values. He/she will
provide strategic leadership, guidance, and support to ministry
leaders, empowering them to carry out their respective roles
effectively and efficiently. The Director of Ministries will play a key
role in fostering collaboration, communication, and spiritual growth
among ministry teams, working towards the common goal of serving
and ministering to the needs of the congregation and community.

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Goal driven
• Adaptable
• Problem solver
• Decisive
• Strong leader
• Effective conflict manager
• Persuasive
• Someone who pursues continued learning
• Adept at self-management

ESSENTIAL DUTIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the holistic development and operation of ministry activities.
• Ensure that all ministry activities are aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and priorities in serving and ministering to the spiritual and practical needs of the community.

CANDIDATE COMPENTENCIES

• Leadership: The ability to provide visionary leadership and direction to various ministry teams, guiding them toward the common goals and mission of the organization.
• Communication: Strong communication skills are essential to effectively convey vision, expectations, and feedback to ministry leaders, volunteers, and the congregation.
• Organization: Being well-organized is crucial for managing multiple ministries, events, activities, and resources efficiently.
• Team-building: The Director of Ministries should have the ability to build and nurture effective teams, fostering collaboration, unity, and a sense of purpose among ministry leaders and volunteers.
• Spiritual Maturity: Deep faith, spiritual discernment, and a commitment to prayer are essential for providing spiritual guidance and support to ministry teams and the congregation.
• Flexibility: The capacity to adapt to changing needs, circumstances, and priorities within the ministries, while remaining focused on the overall mission of the organization.
• Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrating empathy, understanding, and compassion towards ministry leaders, volunteers, and individuals in need is essential for effective ministry work.
• Problem-solving: Strong problem-solving skills are valuable for addressing challenges, conflicts, and obstacles that may arise within ministries, and finding creative solutions to overcome them.
• Relationship-building: Cultivating positive relationships with ministry leaders, volunteers, and congregation members is key to creating a supportive and inclusive ministry environment.
• Commitment to Service: A genuine passion for serving others, ministering to the needs of the community, and advancing the Kingdom of God through impactful and meaningful ministry work.

SUITLAND, MD

Nestled in the heart of Prince George’s County, Suitland, Maryland, is a community rich in history and
diversity. One particular story that captivates the residents of Suitland is that of the revitalization of the
Suitland Town Center which had fallen into disrepair. Buildings stood vacant, storefronts were boarded up,
and the once-vibrant atmosphere had faded away. However, a group of determined residents, business
owners, and local leaders came together with a vision to breathe new life into the Suitland Town Center.
They saw the potential for revitalization and believed in the power of community collaboration. Through
grassroots efforts, fundraising campaigns, and partnerships with local businesses and government
agencies, they embarked on a journey to restore the Town Center to its former glory. Over the course of
several years, the Suitland community worked tirelessly to renovate buildings, attract new businesses, and
create vibrant public spaces that would once again draw residents and visitors to the town center. They
organized community events, art exhibitions, and cultural festivals to showcase the diverse talents and
traditions of Suitland’s residents. As the revitalization efforts gained momentum, the Suitland Town Center
began to transform before the eyes of its residents. New businesses opened their doors, offering unique
products and services that catered to the needs of the community. Families gathered in the newly renovated public square, enjoying live music, food vendors, and outdoor movie nights. The once-
abandoned buildings now housed thriving businesses, art galleries, and community centers that provided resources and support to residents of all ages. The sense of pride and unity in the Suitland community was palpable as people came together to celebrate the rebirth of their town center. Today, the Suitland Town Center stands as a testament to the power of community resilience and collaboration. It serves as a
gathering place for residents to connect, celebrate, and support one another, embodying the spirit of hope and renewal that defines the town of Suitland, Maryland.