RODERICK’S STORY

The Reverend Roderick Dwayne Belin…

An anointed preacher and teacher with a prophetic voice and a global mission to empower God’s people to reach their full potential and fulfill their divine purposes. His ministry is characterized by love, mutuality, and respect for all people, and advocacy for justice and liberation by “restoring the poor, reclaiming the lost, realizing the vision, releasing the captive and revealing God’s favor”.

Rev. Belin has changed many lives by igniting these five “flames of renewal” through his innovative teaching, vibrant preaching, and outreach efforts. In over 30 years of Christian ministry, Rev. Belin has traveled across the United States, and to Jamaica, West Indies, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, Israel, England, Nigeria, Turkey, and several countries in the Republic of South Africa where he preached, counseled, facilitated workshops, and ministered in song. He is highly respected within national and international circles, leading people of different faiths into needful dialogue and healing.

A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, Rev. Belin earned the Master of Divinity Degree with concentration in New Testament and Christian Origins from the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York as a “Union Scholar.” In 2014, Rev. Belin was one of the inductees into the highly revered Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.

A third generation minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Rev. Belin has served as Executive Minister/ Assistant Pastor of the Greater Allen AME Cathedral, Jamaica, NY under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake. He served as the pastor of Williams Chapel AME Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina before returning to his native Nashville, Tennessee in 2004 to plant Kairos Community AME Church. Rev. Belin served as Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District before being appointed as Pastor of historic Lee Chapel AME Church in North Nashville. Within two years of this appointment, he led the planning and construction of a 15,550 square foot building with sanctuary seating for 500-plus persons. This new building was dedicated in August 2015.

Rev. Belin’s commitment to sharing the love of Christ extends to his service in the community. He is very involved in a burgeoning interfaith organization in the Nashville community which promotes peace and cooperation among people of different faiths including those who lay claim to no faith.  He has deep love and compassion for people and an important component of his ministry is his interest in the social and academic lives of youth, and the support of persons struggling with mental health and other stigmatized issues. Rev. Belin is particularly drawn to presenting long-term remedial means to those who are underserved and marginalized. His Christian faith and ministry are governed by humility, discipline, and a fervent prayer life.

A gourmand, Rev. Belin is passionate about the imperative of true Christian hospitality and acts upon this through gatherings at his table for good food and transformative conversation.  He encourages his guests to open their hearts to the other. Rev. Belin continues to bring new ideas and approaches to make positive differences in the lives of others.  He is a noted techie who is committed to using technology and social media to spread the Gospel and share information through this expanded means of interaction. Rev. Belin believes, “telling the story gives faith a way to travel from one heart to another.”

He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and is a part of a family of Christian ministers.  He is the son of Bishop Henry A. Belin, Jr. and Mrs. Lucinda Crawford Belin, and brother of the Reverend Henry Allen Belin, III and the Reverend Toni Belin Ingram.

 

RODERICK’S BACKGROUND

  • Bachelor of Arts in English Morehouse College – Atlanta, GA
  • Master of Divinity Union Theological Seminary – New York, NY
  • Ordained Itinerant Elder in 1989

TIMELINE

1985

  • Started preaching at St. Philip AME Church in Atlanta under Pastor George Moore, Sr. While at St. Philip, founded the Victory Chapel, the children and youth ministry of the church

1987

  • Ordained Itinerant Deacon from the Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference under Bishop Frederick Talbot in Philadelphia, PA with other Deacons from throughout the Connectional Church

1989

  • Ordained Itinerant Elder in the Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference under Bishop John Hurst Adams

1992

  • Became Assistant Pastor-Executive Minister of the Allen AME Church, Jamaica, NY under the leadership of the Rev. Congressman Floyd H. Flake
  • Provided spiritual direction, instruction, nurture, care and counseling for congregation of 17,500 under the direction of the Pastor
  • Provided administrative oversight for 66 ministries and organizations
  • Established Feeding Ministry, HIV/AIDS Ministry, and Ministry to Seniors
  • Developed and administered an annual budget of $2.4 million
  • Chaired the Board of the Allen Neighborhood Care Team, an interim case management service for the mentally ill

2000

  • Became pastor of Williams Chapel AME Church, Orangeburg, SC
  • Provided spiritual direction, instruction, nurture, care and counseling for a congregation of 750 in a rural, yet diverse college community
  • Received nationwide recognition for creation and execution of statewide worship conference which had a budget of $125,000 and generated attendance of over 15,000
  • Successfully instituted a new organizational structure with emphasis on building and sustaining the spiritual growth and development of the congregation
  • Transitioned congregational worship practices to strengthen faith development and convocation programs

2005

  • Founded Kairos Community AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee
  • Planted church in South Nashville with 7 persons which grew to over 200 and became the 3rd Church in the Tennessee Annual Conference
  • Supported the work of the Tennessee Youth Advisory Council through mentoring and special programming with special attention to youth aging out of foster care
  • Established ministries to support: Membership Nurture and Care, Missions Outreach and Evangelism, Christian Education, Worship and the Arts

2012

  • Appointed Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District of the Tennessee Annual Conference by Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath.

2013

  • Became Pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee
  • Appointed as Pastor of Lee Chapel
  • Initiated Overflow, a mid-week service of praise, worship, teaching, and fellowship.
  • Established Christian Leadership training for the congregation through the engagement and presentations of nationally acclaimed Spiritual Leaders, Christian Educators and Preachers in workshop-teaching sessions. Hosted a three-night Revival with preacher, the Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning.
  • Enhanced harmony among the membership with the expectation that there would be unity and a working together for the Glory of God and the construction of the new edifice.
  • Increased church income, and membership by 45 persons, through his leadership and sermons focused upon social justice and emphasis upon Christian principles, service and interpersonal relations.
  • Constituted and empowered the Finance Committee to carry out responsibilities including the management of church funds, arrangement of an annual audit and encouragement of generous giving.
  • Provided Budget Guidelines and hired Mr. Marshall Tabb as Bookkeeper/Accountant to bolster the work of the Finance Committee.
  • Re-established the Class Leader tradition by assigning class leaders and members to classes, thereby enhancing communication and a sense of caring among the membership.
  • Increased unity and positive identity among the Stewards through recommended uniform dress and seating arrangement during worship services.
  • Recaptured the importance of having members have fun, relaxation and recreation through activities which were popular with the congregation.
  • Under Rev. Belin’s leadership, the Lee Chapel Board of Trustees, led by Mr. Richard A. Lewis secured a loan of $2.4 million from Renasant Bank to finance a new church building.  Rev. Belin set a Dedicatory Year Schedule for the execution of activities and events in celebration of the new building beginning with the Dedicatory Service on August 30, 2015.
  • Worked with the Building Committee and Design Team to construct a 15,550 square foot building with 114 parking spaces, and a seating capacity of 500 appropriate to the needs of the congregation.  Included is a 2125 square foot Fellowship Hall with banquet seating for over 110 and theater seating for approximately 200 persons.
  • With the Finance Committee, established a “sinking fund” of over $200,000 to secure one year’s mortgage payments.
  • Instituted Good Friday “Seven Last Words” by young, trained preachers with prophetic voices.
  • Initiated the New Member Class Training specifically for new members but open to any member, based on a curriculum written by Rev. Belin and taught by lay persons.
  • Led the Lee Chapel Resurrection Sunday Community Service at Bicentennial State Park, culminating in an afternoon of fun and fellowship with persons of various backgrounds from the North Nashville community.
  • Initiated a pictorial monthly church newsletter which features member profiles, members’ academic and civic accomplishments, community events, editorials by members, and a calendar of church activities.
  • Initiated a mid-week noonday Bible Study to foster small group discussions, and attendance by elderly members who prefer to attend activities in the daytime.
  • Developed a 365 Day Intercessory Prayer Initiative with a designated member  praying three times daily for Church’s seven prayer points.
  • Initiated the Lee Chapel Young Adult/College Ministry and Bridge Program, to provide space for the physical, mental, and spiritual development of college students and young adults. The ministry seeks to form a community in which young adults learn, grow, and have fun together.
  • Started the Ministry to Seniors
  • Started the Men’s Ministry
  • Started the Lee Chapel Line Dancers
Service and Leadership in African Methodism
  • Served as Director of Evangelism and Church Growth for 13th District AME Church (TN and KY), led in membership recruitment and development
  • Served as member, Chair and/or Dean of the Boards of Examiners for African Methodist Episcopal Church in the 7th and 13th Districts
  • Member of the General Board
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the General Board
  • Delegate to the General Conference
  • Chaired the Hosting Committee of the 2012 General Conference under the leadership of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

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