By Marnita Coleman
Special the the AFRO
Stepping into the pulpit of Baltimore’s historic Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, a place where legends are made, is no small feat. The Rev. Melech E.M. Thomas believes he’s the right man, at the right time for the assignment, and was appointed as the church’s 24th pastor on July 13, 2023, by Bishop James Levert Davis, the presiding prelate of the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church.
“I didn’t know it was coming,” said Rev. Thomas, until Bishop Davis “put the certificate in my hand in front of 1,000 people,” at the 2023 Summer Summit of the Second Episcopal District held in Hampton, Va.
“I broke down crying,” he said,” because “I was happy to be home (assigned to Payne Memorial), but I was genuinely worried.”
From 2000 to 2005, his family served there, and he vividly recalled the significance of that time. He wondered if the congregation, having known him since his adolescence, would take him seriously.
The 37-year-old Baltimore native spent his teenage years at Payne Memorial under the pastorate of his father, the Rev. Dr. Michael O. Thomas, who came on the heels of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie (elected and consecrated as the first female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2000). Although it was presumed that he would become a preacher, Thomas’ desire was to be a rapper. He admits, “It was at Payne Memorial” when he “first heard the voice of God about a call to ministry” but “didn’t know what it meant.”
The young Thomas was not interested in being a preacher and definitely not a “child preacher.” During this time, he struggled with his identity as he encountered many “changes” and frenzied “emotions.” As a result, Thomas failed 10th grade and was expelled from Baltimore’s Cardinal Gibbons High School in 2003.
Nevertheless, Payne Memorial played an important role in shaping him, as it was the first place he learned the meaning of being a leader. Now, “self aware as possible,” Thomas has focused on his call to ministry with unshakable confidence in who he is.
Renowned minister, the Rev. Michael Louis Pfleger of Saint Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago who worked with Thomas for three years, and is considered his father in the faith, said, “Melech has a great ability to address the gospel to present day issues in a prophetic way. I think his being at Payne Memorial is historic as well as an important statement of his denomination.”
Father Pfleger continued, “I think he has the potential to draw people of his generation back to the church and see that the church can be and must be an agent of change for a world that seemingly has lost its conscience and soul.”
Since Rev. Thomas took on the role of pastor, Payne Memorial has experienced significant growth, with over 100 new members joining in the past year. “The young brothers are coming back to the ministry,” Thomas declared.
Payne Memorial has employed local young men at a fair wage and launched a children’s church during worship to support parents in nurturing an authentic relationship with God in the hearts of the next generation. Thomas appointed two Gen Z members, ages 22 and 25, to the steward and trustee boards, recognizing their “tremendous value,” and equipping them with training and experience for future leadership.
The church has also cleared land adjacent to its location to establish a community garden for growing fresh vegetables. This garden is dedicated to President Davo, a Baltimore rapper who tragically lost his life on Oct. 6, 2023. Payne Memorial hosted his funeral, and now his mother and family have since become devoted members of the congregation.
Pastor Thomas is shifting the culture in his community, saying, “Payne Memorial exists so that people far from God can be transformed through the love of Jesus Christ.”
Thomas’ love for God and hip-hop infused a sermon that went viral after he creatively quoted Billboard topper GloRilla’s lyrics, sparking widespread attention for his relatable and powerful message. He said, “GloRilla has a song called ‘Tomorrow,’ and she makes this statement that blesses me. She says every day the sun don’t shine, but that’s why I love tomorrow.” He proclaimed, “That every day is not good. But as long as I can make it to tomorrow, something can turn around.”
The sermon led to an Instagram repost by GloRilla, which amplified its impact. The Breakfast Club, Complex, XXL Magazine, and Nick Cannon were among the media outlets that also reposted it.
Before joining Payne Memorial, Rev. Thomas, who will celebrate his 18th year in ministry this June, pastored Bethel African Methodist Episcopal in Selma, N.C., from 2020 to 2023, where he led a building campaign to modernize the sanctuary.
Rev. Thomas is a graduate of Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and culture and a minor in community and economic development. He received his master’s of divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
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