Rev. Dr. Frank Reid III Delivers Final Sermon at Bethel AME

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --  Longtime Senior Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church begins a new journey. Reverend Dr. Frank Reid III has been elected bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Tracey Leong spoke to him after he delivered his farewell sermon in Baltimore Sunday morning.

It was a bittersweet day for the members of the Bethel A.M.E. Church, as they said goodbye to the leader who has served them for the last 28 years. There was standing room only as congregants crowded inside the West Baltimore church.

"He has touched so many lives across the board, as you saw, Whites, Jewish, Muslim." says service attendee Betty Clark.  "He's the everybody pastor."

Dozens gathered to celebrate Reid's leadership and commitment.

The newly elected bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is following in the footsteps of his late grandfather and father, making it the first time in the denomination's history to have three generations elected as bishop.

"I'll be doing a lot of work and social action and social justice, with churches not only in Baltimore but throughout the nation and the globe," said Dr. Reid.

Even though Sunday's service was Reid's parting sermon, the Reverend is planning to still live in Baltimore and stay active in his community.

"It's not like he's going away from us, its more like "we'll see you later,'" said Clark.

And looking forward, Dr. Reid believes Baltimore's best days are still to come.

"Its my prayer that Baltimore will learn how to turn to each other and not on each other, and when we do, the murder rate will go down, the economy will go up and it will be a great city for all people," he said.

The Bethel A.M.E. church in Baltimore has more than 11,000 members, and has a location in Owings Mills as well.