Dupont Park

Jimmy L. H. Ferguson is a native son of Greenwood, Mississippi, located on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta. The fourth of eleven children, Pastor Ferguson moved north with his family to Chicago, where he graduated from Shiloh Academy (now Greater Chicago Academy) in 1982. He later enrolled and graduated from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. He successfully completed ministerial training in 1993, acquiring a Master of Divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary of Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Michigan).

Pastor Ferguson’s official ministry began as associate pastor of the Dupont Park S.D.A. Church in September 1992. Six months later, he was subsequently entrusted full responsibility as pastor of the Cherry Hill and Maranatha Seventh-day Adventists Churches in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1997, Pastor Ferguson was assigned to the Germantown S.D.A. Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he served until 2004. He was then appointed as pastor of the Berea Temple of Seventh-day Adventists in Baltimore, Maryland, where he effectively engaged in ministry through 2008.

In February 2009, Pastor Ferguson assumed responsibility as Senior Pastor for the Dupont Park Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is joined by his lovely wife, the former Shereen Caines of Bermuda, and their three children – J’Mae, Simeon and Seth.

Pastor Ferguson enjoys reading, coin collecting, fishing, and thoughtful discussions. His favorite Scripture is 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made know unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

Stephen A. L. Richardson, Administrative Pastor

Stephen Andrew Lincoln Richardson is the second of three children born to Dr. Edward L. Richardson and the late Marjorie B. Richardson. His older brother, Dr. Paul E. L. Richardson, is a practicing physician in Waterloo, Iowa. A younger sister named Elizabeth died at birth. The child of godly parents, Stephen's mother was a gifted teacher and principal in the Adventist school system. His father has served as a teacher, principal, minister, and conference president, who presently pastors in New Jersey.

Pastor Richardson's formal education began at the Dupont Park School, from Kindergarten through grade 4. By the age of 14, he was under conviction that God had called him to be a minister. He attended Pine Forge Academy (Pine Forge, PA), graduating as valedictorian and student body president in 1976. He continued on to Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL (now Oakwood University), graduating in 1981 as valedictorian and class president, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Theology and Business Administration along with a minor in Biblical Languages. He completed ministerial training at the SDA Theological Seminary in Andrews University in 1983, the recipient of a Master of Divinity degree. Presently, he is a Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University in the field of biblical studies, specializing in the Hebrew Bible.

Pastor Richardson's official ministry began in 1983 as an associate pastor, serving under the late Elder J. LeCount Butler, Sr. in the Metropolitan SDA Church in Hyattsville, MD and the Friendship SDA Church in Washington, DC. His ministerial service continued in Jersey City, NJ; Cambridge, MD; Newport News, VA; and Nashville, TN. He returned to Pine Forge Academy as pastor and teacher from 1988-1992 and eventually as headmaster of the academy from 1991-1993. He assumed his present duties as administrative pastor of Dupont Park SDA Church in August 2008.

Pastor Richardson is married to his college sweetheart, the former Margaret Humphrey of New York, daughter of Pastor Edwin & Margaret Humphrey (both retired). Margie is a teacher and gifted soloist. Married for over 25 years, Stephen and Margaret are blessed with three children: daughter Marquita, a student at Oakwood University; and twin sons Shelton & Shelbourne, presently in high school.

Pastor Richardson's interests include reading, travel, church media, biblical research, and a cappella music.

David Arringon, Youth Pastor

David Mack Arrington, Sr. is a native of Philadelphia, PA and a son of the Allegheny East Conference. He attended Oakwood College from 1991 to 1996. While there he pursued a dual degree in Computer Science and Theology. After graduation he accepted a job offer with Exxon Chemical Company in Houston, Texas as a Systems Analyst.

On December 1, 1996, he married the former Ms. Maria van Putten, who he met and dated while matriculating on the campus of Oakwood College.

In 1998, after the arrival of their first son, David ventured out into the entrepreneurial waters starting and sustaining a website design and desktop publishing business. Anticipating the arrival of their second son he obtained a Network Engineering position with a Fortune 500 company in 2000.

David was quickly promoted to the position of North American Recruiting Manager, a special assignment that took him to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, France and all over the United States in search of future employees. Always active in soul winning, David conducted bible studies on his lunch hour and revelation seminars at his local church. It was from this corporate position, that David was called, by God, into ministry.

In answer to this call, he quit his job, they sold their home and moved to Michigan where they spent 2 ½ years preparing for ministry at Andrews University. Maria received her B.A. in Religion in 2003, and David his Master's of Divinity degree with emphasis in youth ministry and counseling in 2004.

Pastor Arrington has ministered in the Northern New Jersey Area at both the Church of the Oranges and Trinity Temple and in the Washington Metro Area pastoring both the Beacon Light Seventh-day Adventist Church in Annapolis, MD and the Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Saint Leonard, MD. He looking forward to the challenges and rewards of his new role as the Youth and Young Adult Pastor for the Dupont Park SDA church in Washington, DC where he will be installed in February 2009.

He and his wife Maria, are the proud parents of David, Jr , Charles Clifton, and Gloria Isabelle.

Pastor Arrington lives and ministers by 1 Corinthians 9:22 “becoming all things to all men, that he may by all means save some.” He knows that God has called him to the greatest work given to human beings – telling others about Jesus and His soon return. He is looking forward to the day when he, his family and everyone else who loves Jesus will be caught up to meet Him in the air.

Sinie Evans, First Elder

“The Elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples of the flock and when the Christ Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away”

Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you, be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:1-4 (KNJV)

1 Peter 5:1-4 KNJV Biblically describes who and what the Elders’ Board represents.

Christian leaders should lead people of God in the same way a shepherd leads. We must shepherd the flock of God by feeding, protecting and guiding them. Christian leaders should also remember that we have been given responsibility for tending a flock that belongs to God, not to us.
Christian leaders must do everything in their power to ensure that the Christians under their care are living according to God’s Word.
Christian leaders must do the work of the Lord joyfully, not merely as a duty.
Peter reminds all Christian leaders that we need to perform the role of the servants, not masters, to those whom God has assigned to our care.
Christian leaders should be a godly model to other believers

Ministry Goals Upreach (Church)

To contribute to the leadership and progress of the Church
To serve in an advisory and supportive capacity to all Church Ministries
To encourage a unified mission

Objectives

To organize and implement a Church orientation for all officers to the them recognize that service is a total commitment of one’s life to Christ.
To attend the meetings of our Church Ministries, which will help us organize, advise and support hem in their various committees and projects.

Activity

Orientation of Church Officers
Church Ministries Meetings
Other Programs TBD (i.e., Mother’s Day)

Ministry Goals Inreach (Board of Elders)

To strengthen our spiritual experience
To pray for and minister to the Pastoral Staff
To service in the weekly worship services

Objectives

To seek a deeper spiritual experience as Elders through his or her devotional life, spiritual interest and encourage higher ideals for each member.
To participate in leadership training that will assist elders in transforming the worship service into meaningful worship and praise.

Activity

Ministerial Resources (i.e. Elders Handbook, Elders Digest)
Pray/Support the Pastor’s Families
Elders’ Board Meetings
Elders’ Badges and Business Cards

Ministry Goals Outreach (Community)

To be a consistent participant in the Special Gifts Ministry
To teach and give religious instruction
To develop training in Church outreach efforts

Objectives

To commit to the outreach of the Church through his or her time to the mission of the Church and ministering to the unsaved
To invite family, friends, neighbors to the Mid-Week of Prayer and small groups as an extension of the Church’s mission

Activity

Week of Prayer/Revivals/Crusades
Wednesday Night Prayer Service/Small Groups
Family and Friends Sabbath Worship Service=