Wise people understand that life is all about relationships. Whether it is one’s personal relationship with God, one’s outward relationship with friends, family, or colleagues—relationships matter. Relationships with the Holy Spirit, relationships with loved ones, relationships with self—all these relationships matter too. Relationships impact decisions. Decisions impact lives. And if the one with the “right relationship” also has discernment, expect great outcomes! A look at the church’s history reveals that Olive Branch Community Church exists because founding pastor, Reverend Donald Kelly understands the value of discernment, and he also understands the power of relationships.
The storyteller was told that …
Long before the preacher began the actual process, the preacher felt the Lord had given him a vision to build a church. The preacher had shared the vision with his good friend every time they road together to the barbershop; he had shared his vision with colleagues while attending seminary; and always, always, the preacher talked about his plan and progress with his personal friend and neighbor, the Rabbi. Additionally, he and his best friend, his life-long partner, had spent a great deal of time in prayer, studying God’s word and seeking His will for their lives. And because the preacher had a personal relationship with God, the preacher told his life-long partner that he knew that his assignment had come from the Lord Almighty. He was certain! The preacher had even prayed about his discernment with his personal friend; they shared a very unique relationship; he too encouraged him. For years, these two men of God had fantasized of ways of bringing together their two faith-based communities, Judaism and Christianity. Might this be “the time?” Perhaps...
But then, the official response to his official proposal to build the church arrived in the mail. Upon reading the denial, the reader realized the potential power of the denial. This official denial could derail the entire plan! Or could it? The preacher was certain that the plan was a good plan--a Godly plan that, most assuredly, would bear fruit. Assured that his plan was the Master’s plan, the preacher was determined to build God’s church.
Time passed.
Focused, but slightly ill at ease, one day, the preacher visited the rabbi at Oseh Shalom Synagogue. Though certain of the his assignment, the official rejection had jolted the preacher, so he decided to speak with his long-time friend, Rabbi Gary Fink, about the rejection of his proposal. They talked; they thought; and they prayed together. As they conversed, the rabbi, wise and humble, looked out of the window, and noted the synagogue’s address—Olive Branch Way. The rabbi offered an idea that was respected, received, and accepted by the preacher as THE ANSWER to reversing the denial--the rejection from officials in Montgomery County, Maryland, to build a church in the county where the preachers resided. Together, these two men of God became problem solvers! And so, the decision was made--the new Christian church would be established; it would meet for Sunday morning worship service and Wednesday night Bible study at Oseh Shalom Synagogue on Olive Branch Way in Laurel, Maryland, (in Prince George’s County, Maryland), and the Christian church would be named Olive Branch Community Church. Mission accomplished!
While gleefully thankful, during his exchange of ideas with the rabbi, the preacher’s thoughts drifted, and he recalled the account of Noah and the Great Flood that is told in Genesis 8:11 (NIV). A special part of Noah’s story began to resonate with the preacher—the part, “When a dove returned to him...in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf...” This image reassured the preacher that he had understood God’s will on his life, for interpreted as a sign from God; the preacher accepted the landing space that was made possible---all because of relationships.
Later, during the evening of September 13, 2006, a small group met at Reverend Kelly’s home where he announced that he intended to be obedient to God and move forward with His vision to build Olive Branch Community Church. Again, because of healthy relationships, the group moved together in concert.
The inaugural Sunday morning worship service was held on October 1, 2006, at 8:00 AM. Twenty-five people were in attendance at the first service of Olive Branch Community Church.
At the close of that first Sunday morning worship service, members of the newly organized leadership team met for breakfast and planned the church’s first budget ---literally, on the back of a paper napkin. That organizing team consisted of Reverend Kelly and his wife Brenda Kelly, his “ride-along” friend Harold Arledge, Carlotta and Brett Tyler, and Vivian and Hank Boyd. Later, Tina and Jeff Lee joined the organizing group of church elders. Periodically, the group met at homes to draft the Constitution and By-Laws for the new church. A newly appointed Board of Elders ratified this document within the first three months of the church’s existence.
Membership grew, and on October 1, 2008, two years to the date of that first Sunday service at Oseh Shalom Synagogue, Olive Branch Community Church purchased the historic Lansdale’s home (built in 1870 in Montgomery County, Maryland). The property, located at 416 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, Maryland, first served as the Pastor’s rectory. This three plus acre site, nestled in the Quaker village of Sandy Spring, Maryland, is believed by some historians and archeologists to be part of the legacy trail of Harriett Tubman’s Underground Railroad. Members often share this ancestral information with pride and humility.
Today, Olive Branch Community Church continues to grow. It is blessed with new members; baptisms; baby dedications; a newly constructed church edifice (that was built during the 2019 COVID-19 Pandemic), a vibrant Christian Education Ministry; a spirited Music Ministry; a powerful African American History and Culture Ministry; a remarkable math camp; a thriving Youth Ministry; an active Men’s Ministry; a contemporary women’s Bible study, Women and the Word; an industrious Media Ministry; a growing Usher Ministry; a magnificent Hospitality Ministry; a committed Finance Ministry; an intergenerational Theater Ministry; and an informed Health Ministry. Additionally, members delight in forming new relationships within the extended Sandy Spring community because new relationships provide unique opportunities for every member to spread the good news of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And that dove that appeared to Noah-- currently an image of that dove appears on the church’s letterhead.
And, "To God Be the Glory…”
