Pastoral
Our Pastor
Our Church History
Day of Service and Fall Festival
Revival Service
Celebr ation Gala
PASTORAL LINEAGE
Formal Installation Service Installation Service Pr eacher
Closing Worship Celebr ation
Letters of Gr eetings
Installation and Gala Sponsors
Pastor al Installation Committee
Installation Cr edits
Pastor al Installation Poem
REV. KEVIN LAMÁR PETERMAN
PASTOR | HIGHER EDUCATION LEADER | ACTIVIST
A native of Newark, N.J., The Reverend Kevin Lamár Peterman is an esteemed leader with an accomplished career in ministry, higher education, public service and nonprofit leadership. In May 2025, he was elected Senior Pastor of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church of Washington, D.C.—the oldest African American Baptist congregation in the nation’s capital.
Rev. Peterman is a graduate of Howard University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Science in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned certificates in Black Church Studies and Clergy Ministerial Ethics from Princeton. In conjunction with his regular coursework, he has studied throughout China, Japan, Ghana, and South Africa.
Called by God to preach, teach, and advocate for a better world, the Reverend Kevin Lamár Peterman was baptized and licensed to preach at the First Baptist Church of Vauxhall, N.J. While pursuing his theological education, he served as a pastoral intern at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He was later ordained at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he served as Young Adult & Social Justice Minister. Most recently, Rev. Peterman served for nearly seven years as an Associate Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. He also served as Scholar in Residence at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C.
In addition to his ministerial duties, Rev. Peterman has a distinguished career in higher education and nonprofit leadership. He previously served as Chief of Staff for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest education nonprofit, which has raised more than $6 billion for students, colleges, and universities. He also has served as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Howard University School of Divinity, Chief of Staff for the Next Step Adult Public Charter School Network, and as an Executive Search Consultant at Isaacson, Miller Executive Search Firm. His leadership has focused on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and advancing missions of educational equity. He also has held fellowships with the NAACP Washington Bureau, the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, and DC Public Schools.
Rev. Peterman is an advocate for social justice, having participated in public demonstrations in cities such as Ferguson, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. His perspectives have been featured on national media outlets, including CNN and NPR. He has served on the Board of Ezra Youth Seminary and co-founded the Ethical Leadership & Racial Justice Initiative. In 2024, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers and Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, which is among the highest honors bestowed upon African American clergy.
HISTORYOur CHURCH
NINETEENTH
STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C. “THE MOTHER CHURCH”
The origins of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church trace back to July 1801, when a group of Baptists met for the first time in the U.S. Treasury Building. In 1802, this group established The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington and built a meeting house on the corner of 19th and I Streets in northwest Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. From its earliest days, the congregation was unique. There, free and enslaved Black members worshiped alongside whites. On June 6, 1803, Rhoday Hampton officially became the first Black member of the church. Over time, however, relations between Black and white congregants grew strained as racial segregation intensified and Black members were denied voting privileges and leadership roles.
In 1834, white members began worshiping at a new edifice on 10th Street, while many Black members chose to remain at the original 19th and I Streets location. This created a single congregation divided into two groups worshiping separately. Those who stayed at the original church called Reverend Nickens—of whom little is known beyond his name—to preach temporarily. As tensions mounted, the congregations became permanently divided along racial lines.
In August of 1839, one church became two, after a decision was made for the members worshiping at the original location to henceforth be known as the First Colored Baptist Church of Washington. Elder Sampson White led the petitioning efforts for separation and became the pastor, serving from 1839 to 1841. A distinguished clergyman of his era, Rev. White also served as pastor of Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg, Va.; Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va.; Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, N.Y.; Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Court Street Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va.; and Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church in Camden, N.J.
During this formative period, the church adopted its Rules of Decorum, organized its Boards of Deacons and Trustees, and elected a church clerk—a structure that continues to function in similar capacities today. The Sunday School, Missionary Society, Christian Mite Society, and Senior Choir also were organized, establishing a foundation for community engagement that remains strong generations later.
Rev. William Williams succeeded Rev. White as pastor, and under his leadership, the congregation grew to more than 200 members. He was followed by Rev. Gustavus Brown, who served until 1853, after which Rev. White returned for a second pastorate that lasted until 1856.
Rev. Chauncey Leonard led the church from 1859 to 1862, followed by Rev. Samuel Madden, who served briefly that same year. Rev. Duke William Anderson succeeded him, guiding the church from 1862 to 1871 and overseeing growth of more than 1,000 members. Between 1871 and 1881, the church was shepherded by four pastors—Rev. Dr. George Mellen Prentiss King (1871–1873), Rev. Capt. William Waring, Rev. Anthony Binga (1873–1876), and Rev. Jesse Boulden (1877–1881).
In 1865, the American Baptist Home Mission Society began holding classes in the basement of the First Colored Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. These classes developed into Wayland Theological Seminary, created to prepare freedmen for the ministry. In 1899, Wayland merged with Richmond Theological Seminary to form what is now Virginia Union University. On November 12, 1882, Rev. Dr. Walter Henderson Brooks was installed as pastor. Once enslaved, Dr. Brooks rose to become one of the most preeminent clergymen of his time. Over his 63-year pastorate, the church grew to more than 3,500 members, attracted many of the era’s leading African American figures, and became one of the nation’s foremost Baptist congregations.
The church hosted many significant gatherings, including a 1915 meeting of Black Civil War veterans who organized a “colored citizens’ committee” to build a monument to Black achievement. Dr. Brooks served on the faculty of the Howard University School of Religion and helped found the National Baptist Convention. On July 21, 1896, the National Association of Colored Women held its founding meeting in the church’s Sunday School room, led by Mary Church Terrell. Dr. Brooks’ ministry of scholarship, leadership, and advocacy ushered Nineteenth Street into an era of national prominence that continued long after his passing in 1945.
Among the church’s most influential members was Nannie Helen Burroughs—educator, civil rights pioneer, and champion of women’s leadership in the church. In 1909, she founded the National Training School for Women and Girls, offering academic and vocational education to African American women across the nation. At the 1900 National Baptist Convention, Burroughs delivered her famous address, “How the Sisters Are Hindered from Helping,” which brought national attention to the struggles of women in the Black Baptist church. The speech helped pave the way for her to cofound, with Mary Virginia Cook-Parrish, the National Baptist Women’s Convention—later the Women’s Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention.
In 1946, Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Moore Jr. became the church’s 12th pastor. A former assistant to Dr. Brooks and a student at Howard University’s School of Divinity, Dr. Moore continued the church’s tradition of spiritual depth and civic engagement. He established enduring programs such as Youth Church, Vacation Bible School, and Noonday Lenten Services. From 1974 to 1984, he served as a member-at-large on the Council of the District of Columbia. On January 26,1975, he led the congregation to its current home at 4606 16th St. NW, purchasing the former B’nai Israel Synagogue as many members had relocated from the downtown area. Dr. Moore served faithfully for over 50 years, retiring in 1996 and later becoming Pastor Emeritus until his passing in 2017.
On July 25, 1997, Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins was elected pastor. Formerly the senior pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Dallas, Dr. Harkins led Nineteenth Street into a new era of outreach and social engagement. His ministry extended internationally through mission work in Burkina Faso and Jamaica and nationally through advocacy for immigration reform and against racially motivated violence. During his tenure, the church twice welcomed Barack Obama and his family—on the eve of his presidential inauguration and again on Easter Sunday in 2014. Dr. Harkins stepped down in 2015 to accept a position at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Rev. James A. Crosson Jr., who had served as assistant pastor for 17 years, became interim pastor.
Rev. Darryl D. Roberts, Ph.D., served as senior pastor from February 19, 2017, to August 22, 2023. A former pastor of Mount Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., and assistant pastor at Atlanta’s Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. Roberts emphasized investing in children, strengthening membership engagement, and deepening community outreach. Under his leadership, the church secured a full-time youth pastor, expanded Youth Church, advanced social justice initiatives, and navigated the extraordinary challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 18, 2025, Rev. Kevin Lamár Peterman was called to serve as the senior pastor of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. Rev. Peterman is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in ministry, higher education, and nonprofit leadership. He previously served as Associate Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.; Young Adult and Social Justice Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and pastoral intern at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Beyond the pulpit, he has served as Chief of Staff for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Howard University School of Divinity.
REV. CHAUNCEY LEONARD 1859 – 1862
REV. DUKE W. ANDERSON 1868 – 1871
1 4 5 6 7 8
REV. SAMPSON WHITE 1839-1841 AND 1853-1856
REV. CAPT. WILLIAM WARING 3 2
REV. WILLIAM WILLIAMS 1853
REV. GUSTAVUS BROWN
REV. SAMUEL MADDEN 1862
REV. DR. GEORGE MELLEN PRENTISS KING 1871 – 1873
LINEAGE Pastoral
REV. JESSE BOULDEN 1877 – 1881
REV. DR. JERRY A. MOORE JR. 1946 – 1997
REV. DR. DARRYL D. ROBERTS
2017 – 2023
9 10 11 12 13 14
REV. ANTHONY BINGA 1873 – 1876
REV. DR. WALTER H. BROOKS 1882 – 1945
REV. DR. DERRICK HARKINS 1997 – 2015
Day SERVICE OF FALL FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • 9 A.M. – 12 P.M.
“IN EVERYTHING, DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.”
— MATTHEW 7:12
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Youth and Young Adult Ministries begin our Pastoral Installation celebration with a day of service and family fun. The event sets the tone for the joyful, servant-leader spirit exemplified by Nineteenth Street throughout our 186-year legacy, our steadfast commitment to remain a place of refuge for those in need, and a welcoming congregation that fosters the ethos of Christian fellowship.
The ministries partnered with like-minded organizations—Bread for the City, Durant Family Charitable Foundation, and our own Christian Mite Society—to collect donations of new and lightly used, cleaned coats for children and adults.
The celebratory energy of our Fall Festival encourages fellowship for participants of all ages: children filling their bags from Trunk-or-Treat, playing games, and enjoying the bounce house, teens reveling in healthy competition at the game truck, and families spending time together.
On this day, we do the work God has called us to do as we prepare for the installation of our new spiritual leader and honor God’s Word in our daily lives.
REV. DR. HOWARD-
JOHN WESLEY Revivalist
SENIORPASTOR, ALFREDSTREETBAPTISTCHURCH, ALEXANDRIA, VA.
Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley is the Senior Pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria,Va.—only the eighth pastor in the church’s more than 200-year history. Under his visionary leadership, Alfred Street has grown to over 12,000 members with a weekly online viewership exceeding 25,000. The church has expanded its ministries while remaining firmly committed to spiritual formation, social justice, and community engagement.
A nationally respected voice for justice, compassion, and grace, Dr. Wesley is renowned for preaching that speaks to both the heart and the conscience. His sermons—such as “When the Verdict Hurts,” “A Rizpah Response,” and “Tell Your Own Story”—have been archived in the National Museum of African American History and Culture and praised in national media for their timeliness and depth. In recognition of his transformative ministry, he was inducted into the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 2015.
Dr. Wesley’s influence extends beyond the pulpit. He has been recognized by The Root 100, UNCF, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the NAACP, which honored him with the Chairman’s Award at the 47th Annual NAACP Image Awards for his advocacy in social justice.
A native of Chicago, Dr. Wesley earned his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in biomedical and electrical engineering from Duke University. Answering his call to ministry, he left medical school and later graduated summa cum laude from Boston University School of Theology as a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, along with multiple honorary doctorates.
The proud son of the late Rev. Dr. Alvin and Helene Wesley, Dr. Wesley represents the fourth generation of Baptist preachers in his family. Above all, he treasures his role as a devoted father to his two sons, Howard-John II (“Deuce”) and Cooper Reece.
Dr. Wesley is the 78th Laurel Wreath Laureate and national chaplain of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
GALALegacy
Friday, November 14, 2025 • 7 p.m.
GALA EMCEES........................................................MR. GAYRAUD TOWNSEND
WELCOME.........................................................MRS. FERLANDIA TOWNSEND
LEGACY GALA CHAIR
INVOCATION............................................................REV. THOMAS L. BOWEN
MUSICAL SELECTION..........................................“LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING”
VIDEO PRESENTATION
GREETINGS.......................................................DEACONESS E. LOUISE WHITE
VIDEO TRIBUTE
MRS. JESSICA PEARSON MRS. JASMINE FARMERS-ECHOLS MR. JERRY MOORE III
BLESSING OF FOOD...............................................REV. REGINALD TOWNSEND
DINNER SERVICE
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE..................................................MARCUS JOHNSON
RECOGNITION OF SPONSORS...................................DEACON DEBORAH LEWIS
SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C. THORNTON
TRIBUTES..................................................MR. AND MRS. K’SEAN & CORTNEY
MR. ANDREW M. MELTON REV. BRENTON MILES BROCK
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE....................................THE HOWARD GOSPEL CHOIR
REMARKS.........................................................MRS. DONNA HOLLEY-NELMS
MOTHER OF THE PASTOR REV. KEVIN LAMÁR PETERMAN
FAREWELL............................................................
MR. GAYRAUD TOWNSEND
MRS. JESSICA PEARSON HENDERSON
THE HOWARD GOSPEL CHOIR
Founded in 1968 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir today is one of the world’s most accomplished collegiate gospel choirs. Throughout its more than 50 years of performing, the choir has achieved artistic excellence and become a respected voice in gospel music as well as a cultural ambassador for Howard University and the broader African American experience.
Several former choir members have achieved national and international recognition, including Grammy
Musical
MARCUS JOHNSON
Marcus Johnson is a Billboard-charting and NAACP Image Award nominated jazz pianist, entrepreneur, attorney, and educator with 23 albums reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Jazz charts. Celebrating 30 years since his debut “Lessons in Love,” Johnson has headlined major festivals like Capital Jazz Fest, Bermuda Jazz Fest, and the Munich Jazz Fest, and sold out venues such as Blue Note in New York City, Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., and Keystone Korner in Baltimore. He’s collaborated with legends including George Duke, Chaka Khan, Najee, and Diana Krall, and reaches over 120,000 monthly Spotify listeners. Offstage, Johnson holds a JD/MBA from Georgetown University, teaches Entertainment Law and Business Development at Howard University, and is the founder of FLO Wine—a lifestyle brand named one of USA Today’s Top 10 Celebrity Wine Lines. He also hosts the NPRdistributed radio show “Catch the FLO.”
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL……………………………………………………………………“ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME” CALL TO WORSHIP………………………................………………………………… REV. ELIJAH L. MCDAVID III
PRAISE & WORSHIP
INVOCATION……………………………………………
SCRIPTURE READINGS
REV. REGINALD WAYNE SHARPE JR.
HEBREW BIBLE
REV. DR. JULIE PENNINGTON-RUSSELL
SENIOR PASTOR, THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
PSALTER……………..........………………………............................................REV. DEXTER U. NUTALL
SENIOR PASTOR, NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH WASHINGTON, D.C. EPISTLE
THE GOSPEL
HYMN OF REJOICING
REV. DR. STEPHANIE JOY GRIGG EXECUTIVE PASTOR, ST. LUKE AME CHURCH
HARLEM, N.Y.
REV. DR. BRANDON C. HARRIS ASSOCIATE PASTOR, EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH ATLANTA. GA
CHAIR, BOARD OF DEACONS
DEACONESS BRENDA LIGHTENING-TOLBERT
CHAIR, BOARD OF DEACONESSES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAPSTIST CONVENTION
REV. DR. ANDRE D. IVY
SENIOR PASTOR, MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH ARLINGTON, VA
REV. DR. KEITH BYRD
SENIOR PASTOR, ZION BAPTIST CHURCH WASHINGTON, D.C
INSTALLATION LITANY
SENIOR PASTOR, FIRST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH DURHAM N.C.
REV. BARBARA LAVARIN
DIRECTOR OF SUPPORTING WOMEN IN MINISTRY, BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY
CHARGE TO THE CHURCH
CHARGE TO THE LEADERS
CHARGE TO THE PASTOR
HYMN OF INSTALLATION
PRAYER OF INSTALLATION
PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION OF
PRESENTATION
. WILLIAM H. LAMAR IV
SENIOR PASTOR, METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH WASHINGTON, D.C.
SENIOR PASTOR, GREATER MOUNT CALVARY HOLY CHURCH WASHINGTON, D.C.
PASTOR EMERITUS, SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH
WASHINGTON, D.C.
REV. DR. OTIS B. MOSS III
SENIOR PASTOR, TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CHICAGO, ILL
DEAN, ANDREW RANKIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, HOWARD UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, D.C.
SYMBOLIC PRESENTATIONS
SENIOR PASTOR, CELEBRATION CHURCH COLUMBIA, MD.
DEAN, SISTERS CHAPEL, SPELMAN COLLEGE ATLANTA,GA
SENIOR PASTOR, HOLY REDEEMER INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST MILWAUKEE, WIS.
DEAN, UNIVERSITY CHAPEL, TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY TUSKEGEE, ALA. MRS. DONNA LYNN HOLLEY-NELMS
MOTHER OF THE PASTOR
SENIOR PASTOR, NINETEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH WASHINGTON, D.C
SENIOR PASTOR, MOTHER AME ZION CHURCH NEW YORK, N.Y.
Installation SERVICE PREACHER
REV. LAWRENCE E. AKER III
Rev. Lawrence E. Aker III serves as the Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was elected in 2003 as the eighth pastor in the church’s history.
Widely recognized as one of New York City’s top 100 faith leaders, Pastor Aker is frequently called upon to speak locally, nationally, and internationally. He has been featured on local television and is actively engaged in initiatives to improve both physical and mental health within the Brooklyn community.
In his role as Lead Pastor, Rev. Aker leads the Cornerstone Baptist Church (CBC) Development Center, which oversees several key properties including the Sandy F. Ray Nursing Home, an apartment complex, and a brownstone residence and office space. Under his leadership, the church has completed the renovation of its historic exterior, launched a thriving youth basketball program, and experienced significant growth in membership.
Rev. Aker is a cum laude graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He also holds a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Pastor Aker has studied Biblical Archaeology at the Holy Land Institute in Jerusalem and has preached globally in Zimbabwe, London, and Seoul.
In addition to his pastoral and academic work, Pastor Aker is a founding board member of the Issachar Conference (IC3).
A devoted family man, Pastor Aker lives in Brooklyn with his wife and college sweetheart,Cynthia. They are the proud parents of three children—Lawrence IV, Karina Vivian, and Nyla Victoria.
LEAD PASTOR, CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH, BROOKLYN, N.Y.
NOVEMBER 16,
Celebration WORSHIP SERVICE
REV. DR. OTIS MOSS III
SENIOR PASTOR, TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, CHICAGO
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III is a third-generation advocate for civil and human rights who has built a ministry centered on community empowerment, racial equity, and social justice activism.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Moss is a 1992 honors graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Religion and Philosophy. He received his Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 1995, and was honored in 2011 with Yale’s Award for Distinction in Congregational Ministry. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2012.
Ordained in both the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the United Church of Christ, Dr. Moss began his pastoral career at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. Since 2008, he has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, leading a thriving ministry rooted in prophetic preaching and community transformation.
Dr. Moss serves as chaplain for the Children’s Defense Fund’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor Child Advocacy Conference and is the visionary behind Imani Village, a comprehensive community development initiative located at the gateway to Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood.
He is also the founder and CEO of Unashamed Media Group, a faith-based, social justice-centered media company that produces content to inspire hearts and challenge systems of injustice. One of its acclaimed works, “Otis’ Dream,” is an award-winning short film documenting his grandfather’s 1946 attempt to vote in Troup County, Ga.
In 2014, Dr. Moss delivered the prestigious Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching at Yale Divinity School, presenting a three-part series titled “The Blue Note Gospel: Preaching the Prophetic Blues in a Post-Soul World.”
A prolific speaker and author, his most recent book, Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times (2022), has been widely praised as a powerful, life-affirming guide for navigating today’s political, social, and spiritual challenges.
Dr. Moss is married to his college sweetheart, Monica Brown Moss, a graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University. They are the proud parents of two young adults, Elijah Wynton and Makayla Elon.
Letter from The mayor
November 16, 2025
To the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church community,
As Mayor of Washington, DC, I am pleased to offer prayerful congratulations to Rev. Kevin L. Peterman on your installation as Pastor of the historic Nineteenth Street Baptist Church.
Renowned as the first and oldest Black Baptist church in Washington, DC, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church has stood since its founding in 1839 as a pillar of faith for the surrounding community. With a rich history of service and impactful ministry, this steadfast place of worship has for nearly two centuries remained dedicated to forwarding its profound mission of joyfully celebrating and meaningfully sharing God’s grace. This ministry has included supporting the work of missions in your church, the community, our city, and around the country. To achieve this and more, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church has been blessed by the faithful guidance of past leaders. Across its 186 year history, 14 pastors have graced the pulpit, sharing the word of God and furthering the church’s lasting legacy—I am pleased to help welcome you as its 15th.
Today, Pastor- elect Rev. Kevin L. Peterman, you have been called to carry that torch. With the inspiring theme, “Honoring the Legacy, Heralding the Future: A Celebration of Pastor and People”, know this celebration represents a reaffirmed commitment to meeting the ever-evolving spiritual and social needs of congregants and visitors alike. Through your love and knowledge of the gospel, your significant contributions will no doubt help to expand the reach and positive influence of the church.You are a guiding light for all of DC, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Nineteenth Street Baptist Church under your faithful and ministerial leadership. I am beyond grateful for your long and devoted record of service to all Washingtonians.
Once again, I am proud to join the more than 700,000 residents of Washington, DC in congratulating Rev. Kevin L. Peterman on your installation as Pastor of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church.
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
Le
tter from Ward 4 C
Congratulations,
NINETEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
October 27th, 2025
To the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church community,
As Councilmember for Ward 4, it is with great joy that I extend congratulations to your congregation on the installation of your new pastor.
The installation of a pastor marks a new chapter in the life of a faith community, and I am confident that under Rev. Peterman’s leadership, your next chapter will bring renewed strength, guidance, and hope to your congregation and our entire community.
We also recognize this milestone in the context of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church’s rich history and many contributions over the years. As the oldest Black Baptist church in DC, we have been blessed by the profound faith, fellowship, and service your congregation has embodied and shared.
Our faith institutions are vital pillars of our community, and it is particularly during difficult and divisive times in our history that a pastor’s work is even more important to bring us together as neighbors and keep us moving forward in unity. I know Rev. Peterman will continue to take your historic church in new directions and carry out the vital role faith communities will play in our city and nation’s future.
As Ward 4 Councilmember, I hope you’ll consider me a continued partner and friend as your congregation gives back to advance the common good. The best is yet to come!
Janeese Lewis George Ward 4 Councilmember
Letter from Zion Baptist
Letter from Ministerial Staff
Dear Rev. Peterman,
Congratulations Rev. Kevin Lamár Peterman on your installation as Senior Pastor of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. We offer these words of encouragement. The call to shepherd God’s people is a divine trust that demands humility, discernment, and unwavering faith, a heart that feels the burden of the people and a hand that points them towards Christ. As the Apostle Paul reminded Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season…endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:2, 5).
As your ministerial partners, we pledge to walk with you in unity and prayer. We will uphold your hands as Aaron and Hur upheld Moses’ arms, so that the work of the Lord will continue unhindered. We will strive for excellence in ministry, compassion in service, and integrity in leadership as we labor together under one Lord and one purpose.
May you, our Pastor, be guided by the wisdom of the Spirit, strengthened by the grace of Christ, and surrounded by the love of God’s people. May every sermon you preach, every prayer you pray, and every soul you comfort bear witness to God’s glory. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, may you hear those long-awaited words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The Ministerial Staff
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Rev. Jerry C. Cheatham Jr.
Rev. Christopher O. Crawford
Rev. James A. Crosson Jr.
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Coleman Hall
Rev. James L. Harris Jr.
Rev. Reginald Townsend
Rev. Edward Turner
Rev. Robin L. Turner
Rev. Lorise White Wolfe
Rev. Leslie A. Wiley
Minister Donna S. Miller
Letter from Board of Deacons
Dear Rev. Peterman,
On this blessed occasion of your Installation, we, the Deacons of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude. Today marks not only the formal beginning of your pastoral leadership, but also the continuation of God’s great work through you in this congregation.
We honor the faith, wisdom, and dedication that you bring to the ministry. In the few months that you have been here, your preaching, teaching, and shepherding have inspired us to serve faithfully and to walk more closely with Christ. It is our prayer that God will strengthen you with vision, courage, and compassion as you lead His people.
As Deacons, we pledge our support and prayers. We stand ready to bolster your Christian work to allow you more time to shepherd this congregation. Together, we look forward to living out the Great Commission, continuing to labor in love, building on the legacy of this church, and sharing the word of God, which will draw souls for Christ.
We recognize that this sacred calling is not entered into lightly. It is both a privilege and a great responsibility. We want you to know that you are not walking this journey alone. We commit ourselves to be your partners in ministry, your encouragers in the work, and your helpers in the vineyard.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May God’s anointing rest upon you richly. May He grant you wisdom to lead, compassion to serve and strength to endure. May your ministry be fruitful for many years to come and may the light of Christ shine through all that you do in this new season of leadership.
In Christ’s Service,
The Board of Deacons
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Shawn Davis-Wilensky, Chair
Letter from Board of Deaconesses
Dear Rev. Kevin Lamár Peterman,
The Deaconess Board of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church congratulates you on your installation as our new pastor on Saturday, November 15. This momentous occasion marks not only a significant milestone in your ministerial journey but also a blessed new chapter in the life of our beloved church family.
We are reminded of God’s faithfulness through the words of Jeremiah 3:15: “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” We believe with absolute certainty that the Lord has answered our prayers and provided us with a shepherd who will lead us with divine wisdom, compassion, and understanding. Your calling is a testament to God’s perfect timing and His loving provision for His people.
The psalmist declares in Psalms 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” Pastor Peterman, we celebrate that your steps have been divinely ordered to this place, at this time, for such a time as this. The Lord delights in your faithfulness, and we are blessed to walk alongside you in ministry.
As Deaconesses, we are called to serve as spiritual leaders to assist our pastor in doing God’s work. We pledge to you our unwavering support, fervent prayers, and dedicated service. We commit to working alongside you with faithful hearts, knowing that together, under God’s guidance, we will honor the rich legacy of those who came before us while heralding a future filled with hope, growth, and transformation.
Pastor Peterman, we welcome you with open arms and expectant hearts. May the Lord bless your ministry abundantly, grant you wisdom for every decision, and fill you with His Spirit as you shepherd this flock. We stand ready to support you in prayer, in service, and in the sacred work of advancing God’s Kingdom.
With deepest congratulations and prayerful blessings,
The Board of Deaconesses
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Brenda Lightening-Tolbert, Chair
Letter from Board of Trustees
Dear Rev. Peterman,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire congregation of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, we extend a heartfelt and warm welcome to you. We are filled with immense joy and gratitude as you begin your new ministry with us. We have been praying for God’s guidance during this time of transition, and we believe He has led you to be our shepherd.
We are excited about the future and look forward to working alongside you to steward our church and further God’s kingdom in our community. Your vision and leadership are blessings we anticipate with great hope.
As you begin your ministry, we share this scripture with you as a reminder of God’s purpose for your leadership and for all of us as a congregation: “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” — Jeremiah 3:15
We are confident that your leadership, guided by the Holy Spirit, will help nourish and strengthen our church family. Please know that we are here to support you in prayer and service as you step into this noble task.
Welcome, Rev. Peterman. We pray for God’s abundant blessings upon you as you begin this new chapter with us.
In His Service,
The Board of Trustees
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Karen E. Williamson, Chair
Legacy Gala and
Installation Sponsors
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS WHOSE GENEROUS SUPPORT MADE THIS CELEBRATION POSSIBLE:
Gold Sponsors
Deaconess Dena B. Bowen
Deaconess Emerita Kathryn Brooks & Family
Deacon Shawn Davis-Wilensky & Family
Bronze Sponsors
Deacon Emeritus Michael Bonner and Dr. Wilma Bonner
Rev. James A. Crosson Jr.
Deacon Billy Gay and Deaconess Mattie Gay
Mr. Jerry Moore III and Mrs. Cynthia Moore
Deacon Gerald A. Young and Deaconess Maureen A. Young
Silver Sponsors
Blue’s Coffee & Tea Company
Mr. Patrick Cooper and Deaconess Anika Cooper
Mr. Calvin and Mrs. Rose Dawson and Alicia Dawson
Mrs. Hilda Douglas
Deaconess Pat L. Hodge
Trustee Cheryl Lynn Johnson
Ms. Laverne Johnson
Deaconess Jean Jordan
Mrs. Viola J. Keyes
Trustee Charles Sprow & Family
J. Williams Law, LLC Attorney at Law
Mrs. Beulah Tindal Timmons & Family
Rev. Reginald and Ferlandia Townsend & Family
Trustee Karen E. Williamson
Mr. James Wilson and Carolyn Beasley Wilson and Family
Covenant Church Sponsors
Deacon Kenyatta Hobson
Trustee Robert McNair
Deacon Donza M. Poole
Trustee James Rodgers
Deacon Joe W. Sudduth and Deaconess Pearl W. Sudduth
Trustee Emeritus Ronald J. Taylor
Mr. Bruce Thornton and Deacon Deborah Lewis Thornton
Contributors
Dr. Reginald Cole and Mrs. Lydia Cole
Donors
Ms.Verlena Gilliam
Trustee Jacqueline Ivey
Mr. Jon Kemp and Deacon Deborah Crain-Kemp
Deacon Emerita Jessie L. McCrae
Blowout Security
Mr. James Tolbert and Deaconess Brenda Lightening-Tolbert
Miss Dorothy A. Whyte
Mr. Ronald and Mrs. Sheila Williams
Pastoral Installation Committee
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF THE PASTORAL INSTALLATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHOSE DEDICATION, HARD WORK, AND VISION MADE THIS CELEBRATION POSSIBLE:
Mr. Patrick Cooper
Deaconess Anika Cooper
Deacon Shawn Davis-Wilensky
Trustee Karen E. Williamson
Deaconess Maureen Young
Mrs. Lydia Cole
Ms. Angela Griffin
Rev. James L. Harris Jr.
Deacon Deborah Lewis Thornton
Mrs. Ferlandia Townsend
Co-Chair, Executive Committee
Co-Chair, Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Deacon Shawn Davis-Wilensky
Deacon Gerald Young
Chair, Communications Subcommittee
Chair, Logistics Subcommittee
Chair, Community Service
Subcommittee
Chair, Development/Fundraising
Subcommittee
Chair, Gala Subcommittee
Chair, Worship Services Subcommittee
Chair, Revival Subcommittee
Mr. Robert Brewer
Deacon Sandra Keaton Brown
Ms. Hilda Douglas
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Coleman Hall
Deacon Deborah Crain-Kemp
Ms. Shirley France
Ms. E. Janice Ghenene
Deacon-in-Training Vialetta
Graham
Ms. Deborah Heard
Mrs. Janice Hinton
Mrs. Hester Jones
Minister Donna Miller
Mr. Jerry Moore III
Mrs. Deborah Pankey-Mebane
Deacon-in-Training Dennis Nelson
Minister of Music Kenneth Peagler
Mrs. Karyn White Sanders
Ms. Robin Smith
Mr. Charles Sprow
Deaconess Pearl Sudduth
Mr. Gayraud Townsend
Mr. Nekie Wilkey
Ms. Robin Williams
Mr. Darryl Wise
Ms. Ashley Woods
Their commitment to excellence and faithful stewardship have honored our pastoral installation and strengthened our faith community.
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKING THIS CELEBRATION A MEMORABLE AND JOYFUL EVENT:
Gala Event & Video Production
Stephanie Davis Sunset People
Venue &Hospitality
The Howard Theatre
Catering Services
Oohh’s and Aahh’s
Momma Tee’s Kitchen
Baby Chef LLc
Decorations &Floral Design
Lee’s Floral and Card Shop
Technical Support
Drums Unlimited
Photography
Keelin Brown
Kapturedbykev
Program Design
The Ace Agency
Public Relations
Barrington Associates Non-Profit Partners
Bread for the City
Durant Family Charitable Foundation
THE INSTALLATION COMMITTEE EXTENDS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE MANY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS AND FRIENDS WHO SHARED THEIR TALENTS AND TREASURES AS WE PRAYERFULLY PREPARED FOR THE PASTORAL INSTALLATION ACTIVITIES.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:27: NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND EACH ONE OF YOU IS A PART OF IT
A Celebration of Covenant
FOR KEVIN LAMÁR PETERMAN
UPON HIS INSTALLATION AS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE HISTORIC NINETEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH IN WASHINGTON, DC
We gather in covenant— to affirm, to rejoice, to echo what God has already spoken: that you, Kevin Lamár Peterman, beloved child of Donna and Kevin, nurtured by the First Baptist Church of Vauxhall have been called by the Holy Spirit to shepherd the seeking, to listen with love, to protect with peace, to feed with faith, to guide with grace, to guard with courage, to serve with humility.
We celebrate that you have been called to this place, to these people, in this season, not by accident, nor by chance but by the One who orders our every step.
Bound by the Spirit, you, Kevin Lamár Peterman, have pledged to be a shepherd to us who prays, who binds the broken, who stands with the suffering, who steadies the shaken, who directs the doubting soul.
And we, the people, in covenant with the same Spirit, welcome you— with wonder, with warmth and with willing hearts.
We promise to walk beside you, to pray with you, to labor hand-in-hand with you.
A Celebration of Covenant
We ask you, as our pastor, our shepherd and servant— to lead us with love and with prayer— leading not as a stranger, but as one sent with purpose to walk with us, to hear our hopes, to soothe our sorrows, to lift us from doubt to devotion, to bind us—pastor and people as we continue to write the legacy of this hallowed and historic family of faith.
In covenant, we both people and pastor
and pastor and people
Rejoice in our sacred union.
We offer our gifts and, committing to our mission,
we profoundly experience,
joyfully celebrate
and meaningfully share God’s grace.
We profess our openness to new traditions.
We confess our flaws and embrace forgiveness.
We trust in God,
We feed on His faithfulness,
And we walk in accordance with His will and His way.
In covenant, together we ask the Good Shepherd to shine His face upon our union, to guide us with His grace, to remind us that all things— our midnight mournings, and our morning mercies, our doubts, our disappointments, our deepest despair, and our jubilant joys—
that all things still and will always work together for good.
And finally, we ask that God grant peace to our union, inspire us with purpose,
and embolden us with power.
Amen.
By Linda R. Moore
With references to the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Mission
Statement and Romans 8:28
PastoralINSTALLATION
OFTHEREVERENDKEVINLAMÁRPETERMAN
nineteenth street baptist church
Washington, D.C.