Meet Our Pastor

Reverend Dr. Rivers was ordained during the South Carolina Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church by the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II, at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He later served on the ministerial staff of Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he founded a Narcotics Anonymous
support group to minister to individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Reverend Dr. Rivers was appointed Pastor of St. Jude A.M.E. Church in Germantown, Maryland. During his tenure, church membership tripled, and he successfully led the congregation through a debt-reduction initiative that lowered the church’s monthly mortgage payment by more than $1,100. He also revived the St. Jude Community Development Corporation (CDC), whose inaugural
initiative benefited the Wilkens Avenue Shelter for Women and Children. The CDC committed to donating 50 percent of every dollar raised to the shelter and ultimately contributed more than $4,000 to support women transitioning from domestic violence to independence. Under his leadership, St. Jude A.M.E. Church became a vital presence in Montgomery County through consistent food donations to the Manna House Food Pantry, school supply drives, roundtable discussions for young mothers, and numerous community outreach initiatives that strengthened parish–community relationships.

During a Second Episcopal District Planning Meeting in Hampton, Virginia, Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux, Sr., appointed Reverend Dr. Rivers to serve as Pastor of St. Stephens A.M.E. Church in Elkridge, Maryland. His mission at St. Stephens focused on reimagining, reinvigorating, and revitalizing the church’s reputation and ministries. Since his arrival, he established the “I AM” Youth Ministry, the Young Mature Christians (YMC) Young Adult Ministry, and a monthly Church–Christ–Community Symposium designed to foster dialogue around critical community issues. On September 1, 2016, Reverend Rivers led St. Stephens in securing a loan to reclaim all church properties previously in foreclosure. In October 2016, the church entered into a partnership with a daycare provider, paving the way for a fully operational daycare facility on the church campus.

The Right Reverend James L. Davis appointed Reverend Dr. Dededrick O. Rivers to serve as Pastor of Ward Memorial A.M.E. Church. Since his appointment, he has implemented the Ward Restoration Plan, a comprehensive vision centered on spiritual renewal, temporal growth, and community restoration.

Reverend Dr. Rivers is also the visionary behind HOPE Point (formerly HOPE Village), a $20+ million community investment initiative that will provide grandfamily housing and condominium units on property owned by Ward Memorial. As of 2026, Ward has successfully secured rezoning of its property and is now positioned to engage development partners to advance funding and bring the project to fruition.
 

Reverend Dr. Rivers remains steadfast in his belief that the best is yet to come for Ward Memorial A.M.E. Church.