A New Season at Whitehall Baptist Church

By Sharon Mager

ACCOKEEK, Md. — When Brian Bailey first received a phone call asking him to consider becoming pastor of Whitehall Baptist Church, he was already deep in prayer, asking God for direction.

“I was praying with ‘agitation,’” Bailey said. “I was saying, ‘God, what am I doing? What do you want me to do?’”

Brian Bailey and his wife, Tammy were overwhelmed with thanksgiving at the churches installation service in February. (Photo courtesy of Whitehall Baptist Church)

Then his phone rang.

On the other end was Whitehall Baptist Church Pastor Doug White, who was retiring after serving the church for 14 years. White asked Bailey if he would consider becoming the church’s next senior pastor.

Bailey was amazed at what felt like God’s immediate answer to prayer.

He and his wife, Tammy, were members of Kettering Baptist Church, where Brian served as youth pastor. He had felt called to pastoral ministry, and in addition to overseeing the youth, he had been preaching at different churches and speaking at various ministry events. He and his wife, Tammy, had been seeking God’s will, and they knew Whitehall was where God wanted them. Bucas Sterling, pastor of Kettering Church, has been very supportive of the couple, encouraging and mentoring Brian for years.

Whitehall Baptist Church officially called Brian as pastor, and he began serving in January as the first African American pastor in its more than 70-year history.

Located in southern Prince George’s County, Whitehall Baptist Church has served the Accokeek community since the early 1950s and, like many longtime churches, has navigated decades of change as the once-rural area has grown into a bedroom community for the Washington, D.C., region.

“When I got here, the church had about 17 active members,” Brian said. “But those members were open and available and ready to look at being revitalized from the bare bones.”

Marian Yates, aunt of Whitehall Baptist Church Pastor Brian Bailey, shared an emotional message during his installation service, reflecting on watching his calling develop over the years and encouraging him to remain grounded in prayer, Scripture and humility. (Photo courtesy of Whitehall Baptist Church)

Since January, the church has already seen significant growth, nearly tripling to more than 50 members in just a few months through prayer, outreach and fellowship.

The church, along with family, friends, pastors, and ministry leaders, officially welcomed Brian and Tammy at their installation service in February. Despite snow in the forecast, the church was filled to overflowing.

Pastors and ministry leaders from across the region participated in the service, including BCM/D Church Strengthening Director Jeremy Dickson and Pastor Colin Pugh of Clinton Baptist Church, who served as emcee. Joshua Bleeker, one of Brian’s professors at Dallas Theological Seminary, flew in from Nebraska to bring greetings, and Brian’s family traveled from North Carolina. Bucas Sterling shared the sermon.

“It was a beautiful time,” Brian said. “The praise, the worship, the Word — everything just worked extremely well.”

Under Brian’s leadership, the church is focusing on engaging the community. A self-described “people person,” Brian said he enjoys meeting people in the area, visiting local businesses and inviting people to church.

“I tell people we’re not a perfect church — we’re a praying church,” Brian said. “We want to introduce people to Christ and love people well. I think the relationship piece is what matters most. Are we authentic? Are we connecting? Are we loving people well?”

Brian is leading the church in emphasizing relationships, prayer and community engagement. Whitehall recently started a family-and-friends fellowship dinner on fifth Sundays and has partnered with several community groups, including a Christian homeschool organization, Alcoholics Anonymous groups and a home-inspection training academy.

Brian said he was honored to receive the baton passed on by Pastor White, who served the church faithfully. He acknowledged the church’s legacy and those who came before him through the years. Behind the church stands the original tobacco barn that once housed Whitehall Baptist Church before the current building was constructed. Some of the wood from the barn was later used to build the original pulpit and a pew now displayed in the church lobby.

Bucas Sterling, the pastor of Kettering Baptist Church, shared the message at the installation of Brian Bailey.

“The barn is a beautiful memory of the history of the church,” Brian said. “I love that we get to see what God has done and to dream about what God is going to do next.”

Brian and Tammy both work full-time in counseling and mental health professions while serving in ministry. Brian acknowledged the challenges of balancing bi-vocational ministry but said he remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to pastor this church.

“It’s so very fulfilling,” he said. “I’m honored to do the work of the Lord.”

For information about church revitalization, email Jeremy Dickson

Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Content & Stories Editor.