Our Pastor
MARCELLOUS D. RIDGEWAY
Reverend Marcellous D. Ridgeway was raised by his wonderful parents, the late Rev. Albert Jr. and Mrs. Catherine Ridgeway. He was educated in the public school system in Washington, County Alabama. He received his undergraduate degree from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. It was there where he met, fell in love with, and married Karen Brown. They are proud parents of four adult children and seven grandchildren. While attending college, Rev. Ridgeway answered the call to the gospel ministry and was licensed and ordained by the Lilly Grove Baptist Church in Chatom, Alabama.
Rev. Ridgeway’s experience includes military service with the Alabama Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. He originally enlisted as a high school senior and later enrolled in Army ROTC and was commissioned as an officer.
Rev. Ridgeway served in various social services positions in Kentucky, as a child protective service worker, adult service worker, and juvenile probation officer. He also served as a Regional Manager in the Department of Juvenile Justice in Kentucky. In this capacity, he was responsible for five district offices and supervisors of field workers.
He has served as a Sunday school teacher, Minister of Youth, and Associate Minister. In 1996, he began his pastoral ministry at the First Baptist Church in Winchester, Kentucky. In his 12 years at First Baptist, the church experienced numerical and spiritual growth and completed a major renovation and expansion project.
Over the years, Rev. Ridgeway has continued to further his education. He has done post-baccalaureate work at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of Louisville, Capella University, and Ashland Theological Seminary. He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky.
In 2009, Rev. Ridgeway answered the call to pastor the Brookland Union Baptist Church of Washington, DC. He and the members continue to cement their relationship in Christ with a growing commitment to spread the Good News and build the Kingdom of God through prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship. Rev. Ridgeway looks forward with great anticipation the opportunities to assist in strengthening the ministries of Brookland Union for greater service to the world.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Ridgeway has been involved in various communities in which he has lived and worked. Some of his work has been with school site-based councils, YMCA, NAACP, educational task forces, leadership councils and most recently the Washington, DC CAP (Clergy Ambassadors’ Program).
Words of Encouragement from the Pastor
First Lady Karen Brown Ridgeway
Mrs. Karen Brown Ridgeway, wife of Pastor Marcellous D. Ridgeway and affectionally referenced as the First Lady of Brookland Union Baptist Church serves the church with all honor, dignity, and respect. She has devoted countless hours to the enrichment of the Church while working side by side with the Pastor. She has on occasions served in leading the message of the goodness and righteousness of God through her walk with Christ. She is a member of the Christian Education programs and services that attest to her commitment to serve in any role when called upon. Most importantly, she honors her God through her voice that resonates her true belief in the spiritual acumen that she has been given by God, her master and Savior. She is a resolute servant to her craft and follows the anointing spirit of God upon her.
As a baptized, born-again Christian, First Lady Karen is on a mission at Brookland Union Baptist Church to serve God first and family as one. Her presence is a divine indication that she will continually help within the church to fulfill the great Commission of her calling. She exemplifies the scripture as written in Proverbs 31 by her dedication and love for the church.
She along with Pastor Ridgeway are the proud parents of four adult children and seven grandchildren.