Living Water African Methodist Episcopal Church
A community of believers lifting up Jesus, the Christ, The Living Water.
Living Water AME Church, originally named Shiloh AME Church, held its first service in founding pastor, Reverend Dr. James Harrell's home on June 20, 1993. The presiding Prelate, the late Bishop Vinton Anderson, commissioned this new mission expressing his desire to have a church in Woodbridge, VA. The first members consisted of 4 adults and 3 preparatory (youth), all who were members of Pastor Harrell’s immediate family. The original theme of the church was 2 Corinthians 5:7 “We Walk by Faith and not by Sight.”
The church grew through ups and downs and in May 1996 moved to Stafford, VA. The church’s new place of worship was the Carl Lewis Community Center on Telegraph road. From this location, the church began new ministries such as Adopt-a-Family, missions support, and prison ministry at the Rappahanock Regional Jail.
Living Water evangelized in the community by going to individual homes and sharing the gospel message door to door. Church growth was nurtured through youth programs and plays, and various Sunday school activities. Friends and Family Day and annual church picnics were also impactful events which aided in Living Water's growth.
At the 2016 Washington Annual Conference, our beloved founding pastor, Reverend Dr. James Harrell, retired from his role as Senior Pastor. At the same annual conference, Reverend Ayana Newton was appointed as the second Senior Pastor of Living Water AME Church. Under her leadership, the church continued its effective ministries providing needed support to the local community. In February 2019, Reverend Belina Wimbish-Haile was appointed as the third Senior Pastor of Living Water AMEC. Under her leadership significant advances were made in the church's technological presence which was critical to maintaining the church as the COVID-19 pandemic struck our world.
On July 28, 2020 at the 70th session of the Washington Annual Conference, Reverend Joseph Perry, Jr. was appointed as our fourth Senior Pastor. As we enter this journey with our new pastor, we are excited to be used by God for God's people. Just as is stated in vision statement, we endeavor to be the fountain of Living Water giving refreshing and revitalizing drink to all who are thirsty for God's Word. We are committed to God's kingdom building, not only in our immediate community of Stafford, VA., but internationally as well.
We invite you to come and be part of our next chapter as God leads us into our future. There is room in God's kingdom for you and your gifts.
