Pastor – Rev. Gwen Rodriguez
Rev. Gwen Rodriguez is a native Washingtonian born in the District of Columbia and raised in Oxon Hill, Maryland. She earned her Associates degree in Computer Information Systems at Strayer University, and a Bachelor of Science in Religion at Liberty University. She worked in the financial side of the travel industry for over twenty years, after traveling the world as a military dependent spouse before receiving her call to vocational ministry.
She answered a call to ministry while serving as an active layperson at First Saints Community UMC, in Leonardtown, MD, and and received a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Rev. Rodriguez has served as a pastor in the Baltimore-Washington Conference since 2021 joining Glenn Dale UMC in July 2023. Rev. Rodriguez’s mission in ministry is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for drawing them to a deeper relationship with God for transformation of the world by expanding Christ’s church.
Rev. Rodriguez, is a widow who was married to the love of her life for almost 35 years. Together they raised five wonderful children, Kevin (Dawn), Cora, Anthony (Becky), Jessica (Bryce), Stephen (Olivia), and are blessed with eleven grandchildren. Rev. Rodriguez enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and crocheting, and hopes to learn how to quilt.
Director of Music – Rev. Richard S. Keller
Rev. Richard Keller was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and raised in Arlington and Fairfax, Virginia. Richard began his music ministry early, playing for worship services at the age of 12. At age 15 he gave his first piano recital and became a church organist and choir director in the Methodist Church where he became a Certified Director of Music. He began teaching piano, organ and voice at age 16. While attending The American University in Washington, D.C., from which he graduated with a B.A. degree in Music Education, he became their first student vocal coach and had a special accompanist program created for him. Winning numerous national, state and local awards for piano performance, he also played in several dance bands and composed music for schools, conferences, churches and avante-garde films.
While teaching music in the Fairfax County Public Schools, Richard continued to accompany singers and instrumentalists in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area, direct music and play for local churches, while appearing often on television and radio as a pianist and music educator. Receiving a strong call to the Pastoral Ministry, Richard attended and graduated from The Wesley Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, then served for 31 years as a pastor in the Virginia Conference in churches numbering 300 to 2300 people. During that time, he also participated on many Methodist and ecumenical boards and agencies. Upon retiring, he returned to teaching music on high, middle and elementary school levels and being organist-director in Methodist and Episcopalian traditions. Richard continues to enjoy time with family composed of wife Peggy, three daughters and their families (including four grandchildren) while also enjoying Biblical study and teaching, music, nature, and feeding the deer, birds, and other wildlife that come to visit.
Lay Leader – Minister Hilda Macauley
Rev. Snell before worship.