Ministerial Staff

Pastor

Reverend R. Kevin Brown, Sr.

Pastor R. Kevin Brown, Sr., (Pastor Brown) is the son of Ms. Juanita Brown, Baltimore, Maryland and the late Morris Brown, Jr. A native of Baltimore, Rev. Brown was raised and trained at an early age in Kingdom living. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 13. During his formative years, he was a member of Christian Community Church of God in Baltimore, Maryland and was active in youth and young adult ministries.

Pastor Brown graduated from Carver Vocational Technical School in Baltimore, Maryland in 1979. He continued his pursuit of education by attending Coppin State University where he graduated with honors and received his Bachelor of Science Degree. Rev. Brown continued his educational quest and matriculated at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and later transferred to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University where he received his Master of Divinity Degree. Rev. Brown was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Itinerate Deacon in 1998, and Itinerate Elder in 2004. From 2004 to 2011, Rev. Brown served as pastor of Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Maryland. In 2012, Rev. Brown was reassigned to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Port Deposit, Maryland where he served for two years. On Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at the Second Episcopal District Planning Meeting, Rev. Brown was assigned and appointed as pastor of Wright's African Methodist Episcopal Church in Elkton, Maryland, where he served for nine years.

Pastor Brown is a retired member of the Baltimore City Police Department where he served for over 22 years in various units such as: Narcotics Unit, Arson Unit, Burglary Unit, Violent Crimes Task Force, Special Tactical Operations Patrol and the Regional Warrant Apprehension Task Force. He has received numerous commendations from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for commitment and courage in the performance of duty.

Pastor Brown is the spiritual and covenant son of Bishop Frank M. Reid, III, Senior Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Reid, Rev. Brown served as Trustee, Minister to Christian Education, Minister to New Members, Chief of Security, the Hospitality Ministry, the Media Ministry, the Men's Ministry and as Armor Bearer to Bishop Reid and the First Family.

Because of his passion for Christ, Pastor Brown is always trying to help others. He is an Advocate of the Word of God commanding one to go and make disciples. It is not unusual finding him sharing words of care, compassion and comfort to those in need and giving a helping hand whenever and wherever the spirit of God leads him to do so.

Pastor Brown has been favored to be a weekly guest on Cedric Bailey's weekly Gospel Broadcast, which aired on WJDY-1470, Salisbury, Maryland. In 2012, Rev. Brown was blessed to be a guest preacher and panelist for the Women and Men Uplifting Ministries, International that aired on the Laurel Cable Network. Rev. Brown served as Vice President of the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance of Cecil County for two years. Currently he serves as the president of the Greater Elkton Ministerial Alliance of Cecil County and is a member of the Cecil County Drug Free Community Coalition. Rev. Brown serves as a board member on the Krieger Institute Ethnics Committee and Union Hospital Board of Directors. He also is a graduate of the Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Program, Class of 2015. In January 2018, the ALICE TRAINING INSTITUTE certified Rev. Brown as an instructor in active shooter/violent intruder civilian response. In 2018, Rev. Brown led the charge to acquire the Elkton Colored School Building Unit built in the 1880's. Along with the property is 15,000 square feet of developable space that will be used to serve the Cecil County, Elkton Community. On May 27, 2023, Rev. Brown was transferred to the Washington Conference and appointed pastor of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Pastor Brown is married to Reverend Annette L. Brown who has been by his side for 35 years. Without a doubt, "She loves her husband." Rev. Brown and Lady Brown are proud parents of two sons, Kevin, Jr. and Devin Brown and Daughter In Love Grace Brown. If anyone should ask Rev. Brown what is the greatest thing that has ever happened to him? He would say, "I am born again."

First Lady

Reverend Annette L. Brown

Reverend Annette L. Brown is the daughter of Mr. Stanley Hall and the late Odessa Hall of Baltimore, Maryland. Even at an early age, her parents instilled in her a desire to attend church every Sunday. As such, Reverend Brown attended the Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church and ultimately gave her life to Christ at the age of 7.

Reverend Brown is a product of the Baltimore City Public School System. After graduating from Southern High School, Reverend Brown attended and graduated from Villa Julie College, Stevenson, Maryland, receiving her Associates in Arts Degree. She continued her quest for education and attended and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Coppin State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English: Communications Print and Broadcast Journalism. Reverend Brown reeived many collegiate awards including induction into the Sigma Delta English Honor Society; member, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society; nominated Who's Who; recognition as an All American Scholar; and recognized on the National Dean's Publication for outstanding honors. In addition, she has completed course work at Payne Theological Seminary in Ohio.

Reverend Brown was formerly employed for 31 years as a Paralegal for the Baltimore City Department of Law. In addition to her duties as a paralegal, she served as "Wellness Champion" on the Mayor's Ten-Year Financial Plan. In this capacity, she assisted in developing procedures in an effort to help persons meet various health and fitness levels and to guide them to a fitness lifestyle.

Reverend Brown's desire to bring spiritual health and wellness to both women and men, regardless of age, has ignited her passion and purpose for Evangelism where she developed a curriculum that empowers, equips and encourages all people to take hold of Christ's mandate, to "go ye therefore, teaching all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:18-20).

Reverend Brown is not only concerned about the spiritual needs of God's people, but the physical health as well according to 3 John 1:2, "Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." (NLT) As such, she uses her ministry gift as a life Coach to reach people both spiritually and physically while using her training and expertise as a certified Master/Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor and Sports Nutritionist to bring hope and health to all those who God allows in her training stewardship thus helping them develop a level of fitness regardless of health, state or status. She is owner and operator of her own Fitness Studio - Shapes & Curves by Design. Moreover she has achieved a lifetime accomplishment as a Weight Watchers member. In this capacity, as an Ambassador, Leader and Personal Coach, she has used her experiences to mentor and motivate women and men to change their behavior and relationship with food forever.

Reverend Brown is the spiritual daughter of Dr. Frank M. Reid, III and was ordained Itinerate Deacon in April 2006. While at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Baltimore, Maryland, Reverend Brown served in many capacities including, Personal and Executive Assistant and Armorbearer to the First Lady, Executive Administrative Assistant to Dr. Reid, New Members' Instructor, Assistant Media Director, Administrator and Teacher for "Women's Only Bible Study," Women's Day Co-Chair, Trustee, Hospitality, Ministry of Helps, Dance Ministry and as Chair for revivals and conferences.

As First Lady at Mount Olive A.M.E. Church, Salisbury, Maryland and Bethel A.M.E. Church, Port Deposit, Maryland, Rev. Brown served in many capacities including: Assistant to the Pastor, Administrator, Media Director, Minister to Women, Chair, Women's Season, New Members' and Sunday School Instructor, Facilitator for Women Only Bible Studies, as well as Women on the Go (W.O.G.), a Bible Study for working women, Usher, Hospitality, and as Chair for Revivals, including "Revolution Explosion" which hosted hundreds of people encompassing the lower and upper shores, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

As First Lady and Minister at Wright's AME Church where she served for ten (10) years, Reverend Brown served as Assistant to the Pastor; Church Administrator; and Editor and Proofreader of the Monthly Newsletter and Prayer Journal. She oversaw the Tech Ministry which included overseeing the development and construction of state of the art studio and video equipment. She served as Minister to the Women's Ministry, including development of Women of Worth Ministry (W.O.W.); Sisters Who Adore God (SWAG and SWAG2 Ministries); Spirit Filled, Transformation, Yielding, Liberating, Edifying, Sanctifying Ministry (STYLES); and birthed the Intercessory Prayer Ministry which included Saturday and Weekly Prayer; and the Evangelism Ministry which included ACE = Accessions, Conversions and Evangelism curriculum. She was appointed by the County Executive of Cecil County to serve on the Commission for Women, and she currently serves as Vice President and Acting Secretary on the Board of Director for the Elkton Colored School Museum & Cultural Center, Inc. (the first colored school for African Americans in Cecil County, Maryland).

And now, Reverend Brown is excited, delighted and counts it a pleasure, privilege and joy that God has blessed her to serve as Minister and First Lady to the beautiful people of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Silver Spring, Maryland. To God be all the glory!

Moreover, Reverend Brown cherishes her roles as Woman, Wife and Mother. She honors and celebrates her 35-years of marriage with her soul mate, the love of her life, wonderful and handsome husband Pastor R. Kevin Brown, Sr. She also treasures her very special relationships with her sons Kevin Jr. (37) and Devin (33) and her beautiful daugher-in-love Grace Brown.

Above all, Reverend Brown loves serving the Lord with gladness. Anyone who knows her knows she LOVES praising and worshipping the Lord. One of her favorite scriptures is "let everything that has breath, praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 150:6).

After all is said and done, if one should ask Lady Brown what is the greatest thing that has ever happened to her? She would say, "I am redeemed."

Rev. Suzette E. Haynes, Associate Minister and Ministry Head

We/Care Bereavement Ministry

Rev. Suzette E. Haynes transferrred her membership to Allen Chapel in 1990 from the Fourth Episcopal District and home Church of St. Paul AME in Des Moines, Iowa where her Great Grandfather Rev. Dr. H.L.P. Jones was one of its pastors and who later became a presiding elder in the Thirteenth Episcopal District. At Allen Chapel, prior to ordination she served as a Steward, Church School Teacher, and initiated the Singles, Tutorial and Senior Ministries. She preached her initial sermon at Allen Chapel on June 11, 1993 and was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1996 and an Itinerant Elder in April 2002. In Apri 2014, Rev. Haynes was granted Superannuation by the late Right Reverend William P. Deveaux, Presiding Prelate at the 64th Session of the Washington Annual Conference due to health issues.

Rev. Haynes is a native of Des Moines, Iowa and has a B.S. Degree in Family Services from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa; a Master's in Public Administration cum laude from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa; and a Master of Divinity cum laude from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She is a retired Federal Employee of 23 years from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Also, she was employed by the State of Iowa for 15 years at the Iowa Department for the Blind prior to relocating to Silver Spring, Maryland.

Rev. Haynes served as the Pastor of Cowdensville AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland and later as an Associate on the Ministerial Staffs of Seaton Memorial AME Church, Lanham, MD, St. Paul AME Church, Washington, DC, and Mount Moriah AME Church in Annapolis, MD.

Rev. Haynes' favorite scripture is:

"As the Father has sent me, so send I you," John 20:21.

And she says:

"I am humbled and grateful for God's call on my life. Thus, I will always endeavor to support Allen Chapel and the AME Churches' ministries and mission. And as God leads, I will continue my own ministry of preaching, teaching, grief and comfort ministry counseling, Breast Cancer Awareness and Support, and whatever God assigns me to do until the Church Universal becomes the Church Triumphant."

Rev. Dr. Matthew Bonner

Associate Minister and Youth Minister

“I will do the best that I can and leave the rest in the hands of God.”

Rev. Dr. Matthew W. Bonner, a native of Alabama, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Counseling at Johns Hopkins University. From 2016-2018, he was the Director of Clinical Education at Loyola University Maryland in the Pastoral Counseling Department. Prior to that, he was Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Columbia, South Carolina at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary from 2014-2016.

Rev. Bonner possesses the following educational degrees: Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University; Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Howard University; Master of Science (MS) degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University; and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Counselor Education from Old Dominion University. He is a member of various counseling organizations and has presented at state, national, and international conferences. He is a licensed counselor and supervisor in the state of Maryland.

As a writer, Rev. Bonner has published several journal articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries.From 2000-2011, he served as Pastor of the following churches: Mount Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania; Russell Temple CME Church, Alexandria, Virginia; and St. Paul CME Church in Norfolk, Virginia. While in South Carolina, he was an Assistant Minister at Sidney Park CME Church in Columbia. Presently, he is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves as an Associate Minister at Allen Chapel AME Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he also serves as the Youth Minister. Rev. Bonner is the husband of Mrs. Michelle Bonner and they have two sons: Jacob and Joshua.

Rev. Dr. Y. Louise Hicks

Spiritual Advisor for Inner Healing, Intercessory Prayer and Women's Ministry

Rev. Hicks is a native of Georgia. She has lived in and out of the Metropolitan area since 1972. In 1992, Rev. Hicks was ordained Itinerant Elder in the A.M.E. Church. She accepted her call to ministry at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington, Maryland in 1987. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Paine College; and a Master of Divinity Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary and completed her Doctorate of Ministry Degree at Ashland Theological Seminary in 2012. Rev. Hicks is the founding Pastor of New Birth A.ME. Church where she served for 12 years. She also served on staff at Brown Memorial A.M.E. in Washington, DC, and is currently an Associate Minister at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Silver Spring, MD.

Rev. Hicks was the first woman to serve as President of the Black Ministers Conference of Montgomery County, MD. During a second term as President, Rev. Hicks and Debbie Gold of the Department of Health and Human Services founded G.O.S.P.E.L. (Glorifying Our Spiritual & Physical Existence for life) taken from 3 John 2. This ministry won a national award as the most innovative faith-based community initiative in October 2006. She is a Chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital.

Most importantly, Rev. Hicks loves the Lord and the people of God. Holistic ministry is her focus and she realizes that taking care of our health and bodies is an important part of being people of faith.

Rev. Karen Kenner

Associate Minister and Singles' Minister

"Cherish everyday what you hold dear. Say I love you every opportunity that you get. Dance like no one is watching. Love yourself."

Rev. Karen graduated from Howard University School of Divinity; Master of Divinity, in May 2015. Her bachelor's degree is from American University; B.S. Business Administration, August 1986.

One scripture passage that Rev. Karen holds dear to her heart is “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:6-10 NKJV

Rev. Karen shares, "I will forever remember my grandmother Bertha Cooper Boddie whose apron I held tightly to as she did chores and softly hummed hymns. She took me to Sunday Services and gave me life lessons using Scriptures which (at the time I didn’t realize) she used to lay the foundation for my early Christian education."