Our Team

Our Heart and Soul is Our Team of Ministers

Mission Developer, The Reverend Dr. Darryl Rashad Kemp
Rev. Dr. Darryl Rashad Kemp is an Episcopal priest, scholar, and community leader from Baltimore, Maryland. His work centers on the intersection of faith, social transformation, and the formation of inclusive communities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Howard University (2012), a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (2018), and a Certificate of Anglican Studies from the Stevenson School for Ministry. In 2026, he earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, where his research focused on radical inclusivity and the formation of beloved community within congregational life.

Dr. Kemp’s doctoral research, The Church as Beloved Community: A Model of Radical Inclusivity, explores how theological, biblical, historical, and sociological frameworks can cultivate deeper community cohesion within faith institutions. Drawing from sources such as Acts 10, the teachings of Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, the theological concept of Imago Dei, and sociological theories of social cohesion, his work proposes a practical formation model designed to strengthen inclusive community structures. His research contributes to conversations in practical theology, sociology of religion, African American religious studies, and congregational development.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Kemp served eight years in the United States Army as both a combat medic and chaplain, where he provided pastoral care, leadership, and counseling in diverse and demanding contexts. His military experience significantly informs his approach to leadership, ethics, and community formation.

Dr. Kemp has also served in parish ministry as Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville, Maryland, where he became the first African American pastor in the church’s history since its founding in 1841. He currently serves as Mission Developer and Priest in Charge within the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, guiding the redevelopment and merger of three historic African descent congregations: St. Mary the Virgin, St. Michael and All Angels, and St. Katherine of Alexandria. His leadership focuses on spiritual formation, institutional renewal, and the cultivation of collaborative leadership structures.

Beyond parish leadership, Dr. Kemp’s work reflects a broader commitment to community engagement and social impact. He previously served as Community Engagement Coordinator for TurnAround, Inc., a Baltimore based organization supporting survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence. Throughout his ministry and scholarship, he has consistently sought to bridge academic inquiry with practical application in communities navigating issues of race, belonging, and reconciliation.

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. Kemp’s teaching and research interests include sociology of religion, African American religious thought, practical theology, leadership and congregational development, and the study of beloved community as a model for social cohesion. His work seeks to equip faith communities and civic institutions with frameworks that foster inclusion, reconciliation, and sustainable community life.