The following announcement was submitted by St. Jude AME Church:

GERMANTOWN, MD—St. Jude AME Church announced today that the Rev. Dededrick O. Rivers has been appointed by AME Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr. to be the congregation’s new pastor, replacing the Rev. Dr. Byron J. Grayson Sr., who was recently assigned to lead a local church in Lenoir, NC. 

As pastor of St. Jude, Rivers will oversee all aspects of the church’s ministry. His initial priorities will include and will focus on church growth, youth and child ministries, building a dynamic choir, ministering to the sick, supporting married couples, reaching out to Montgomery County families, among many other community service activities.

“I am both overwhelmed and humbled to be called upon to serve the people of Montgomery County,” said Reverend Dededrick Rivers. “Indeed, our community is confronted with many challenges and many of us are faced with our own troubles. It is my desire that St. Jude be a resting place and that all will find hope in God’s word. We are here to provide encouragement, a helping hand, or a much needed hug.” 

Rivers is a native of the Pringletown Community in Ridgeville, SC. He earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Mortuary Science from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA, a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with honors, in Political Science from Benedict College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University. While at Benedict College, he served as the chaplain of the International School of Honors. He also worked as a mortician at the Historic Leevy’s Funeral Home in Columbia, SC under the ownership of Attorney I.S. Leevy Johnson. While at Benedict, he also worked in the South Carolina State Legislature in the Office of Rep. J. Todd Rutherford. Rivers enjoys being a public servant and is a member of the Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. and recently served on the ministerial staff of Turner Memorial AME Church in Hyattsville, MD. He was ordained during the 146th session of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

“Whether you are new to the area or are looking for a loving church home, we invite you to worship with the affectionate and loving St. Jude family,” said Rivers.