How It Started
The Rev Dr. Frank Madison Reid, III, is an internationally known leader, an innovative thinker and a preeminent power speaker. Born in the city of Chicago, Illinois in the year 1951, Dr. Reid is a 5th generation AME minister whose father (1972-89) and grandfather (1940-62) served the African Methodist Episcopal Church as Bishops. He was raised in a family that treasured distinguished educational achievement and excellence. His father and mother surrounded him with books, read to him daily and continually reminded him that "readers become leaders." Dr. Reid graduated from Central H.S. in 1969, attended Rockefeller Foundations Yale-Transitional Program in 1970, graduated from Yale University with a BA of History in 74', Harvard Divinity School M.Div., in 1978 and was a distinguished Samuel Dewitt Proctor Fellow at United Theological Seminary, D.Min., 1990. He was elected and consecrated as the 138th Bishop of the AME Church at the 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference held in Philadelphia, PA on July 1th, 2016 and was assigned to the Third Episcopal District (Ohio, West Virginia and the Western part of Pennsylvania). He was assigned to the 11th Episcopal District (Florida and the Bahamas) in 2021.
The Ministry of Bishop Reid
Dr. Reid preached his first sermon in 1971 while his father was the Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC (1968-72). After graduating from seminary, Dr. Reid was appointed to his first pastorate in the U.S., Greater Bethel AME Church in Charlotte, NC (1978-80). From 1980-88 he was the servant leader of Ward AME Church in Los Angeles and since October of 1988 he served as Senior Pastor in the historic pulpit of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, MD. For 28yrs, Bethel has led the way in encouraging, equipping and empowering people to make a difference and change the world. Dr. Reid was a consultant on the NBC Comedy AMEN. In the 1990s the legendary Outreach of Love TV ministry reached millions on BET Bethel and Dr. Reid played an important part in the HBO Series, "The Wire from 2002-08
The Episcopal Family
As an author Dr. Reid has written two influential and bestselling books, "The Nehemiah Plan," and "Restoring the House of God." he co-authored with Dr. Jeremiah Wright, "When Black Men Stand Up For God: Reflections on the Million Man March." Positive. Prophetic. Powerful. Proactive and Passionate are the words often used to describe Dr. Reid's global and radical Christ centered minister. But his GREATEST legacy is his faith and family. He has been married to the woman he calls "Lady" Marlaa Hall Reid since March 15, 1980, and they are the proud parents of three gifted children: Shane, FranShon and Faith.
the Episcopal Supervisor Lady Marlaa Hall Reid
Spirit filled. Articulated. Beautiful. Effervescent. Elegant. Smart and down to earth are just a few adjectives to describe Lady Marlaa Reid. She is a woman whose reputation positively precedes her professionally, spiritually, socially and academically. As a woman of God, she is highly sought after as a speaker, teacher and lecturer. Supervisor Reid matriculated at some of the country's finest schools, which include: New York University. The University of Missouri at Kansas City. As a graduate of California State University at Los Angeles. She has a degree and is trained in Communications with an emphasis in Radio and Television Production. She actively assists her husband in ministry in teaching, preaching, public relations, advertising and event planning for the ministry. She served as on-air host and producer of the award winning Outreach of Love television broadcast. In addition to producing, Mrs. Reid does professional writing for television and radio as well as professional voiceovers. Lady Marlaa is the founder of Virtuous Images Cosmetics, a highly distinctive cosmetic line for women of color which provides training, image consulting and self-development. But most of all, Supervisor Marlaa is a woman who loves God and considers her God given roles of woman, wife, mother, daughter and friend the best gifts from God.