Bro. Dwayne Ellmore
Bro. Dwayne Ellmore believes his mother was pregnant with him when she walked down the aisle and made the commitment to become a member of St. Matthew A.M.E.
He does not have any memory of not being an active member of the church under the guidance of his mother, Sis. Karen Deas, a steward and the president of the prayer ministry at St. Matthew.
"She has always been very active in the church and her activeness has had an impact on my role in the church. I always had to be involved in some way," he said. His older brother, Steven, is also active at St. Matthew.
Some of Bro. Ellmore's favorite memories are being involved with the young people's division of the church. Bro. Ellmore, 27, grew up in South Orange and now lives in Union. "It was very educational. You learned about the A.M.E. church, Biblical teachings and Richard Allen. I was even a vice president of the YPD," he said.
He has also participated in the choir and the dance ministry. He has been a member under Rev. Dr. Lanel Guyton and Bishop Reginald Jackson before Pastor Melvin Wilson.
"I was finishing college when Pastor Wilson was appointed," he said. "Young adults became a priority for him." That encouragement has led to Bro. Ellmore's involvement with The Tribe. "And I am a trustee," he said proudly. "I am not opposed to trying new things."
Bro. Ellmore said he loves the worship style in the church, the music and what the church gives to the community. He feels Pastor Wilson has had a profound impact on the young adults in the church.
"I want to use my talents and resources for the work of being a Christian to benefit the church."
Bro. Ellmore's spiritual goal is for people to see him and see a reflection of Christ in him, "not perfect but someone to experience who Jesus is by interacting with me."
Bro. Ellmore just completed his first half marathon in May, plays pickleball and enjoys swimming.
His favorite Bible verses can change, but he said one that guides his life is Matthew 17:20. For him, that means "not to put limits on what God can do. Faith is important. And our faith is believing God can change the situation. We have to believe God is going to do the miracle, but you have to believe."
By Sandra Long Weaver