The Reverend Dr. Marvin Anthony Moss became the 14th pastor of Salem United Methodist Church on July 1, 2014. His previous appointment was as the Senior Pastor of Atlanta’s historic Cascade United Methodist Church. During his appointment at Cascade, more than 1,300 members joined and more than 50 ministries performed outreach services to the local, national, and global communities. Prior to Cascade, Dr. Moss served as Senior Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia (1999-2006). Under his leadership there, St. James grew from fewer than 200 members to more than 1200. Additionally, the congregation purchased 15 acres of land and a new edifice was erected. Prior to St. James, he was Associate Pastor at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Decatur, Georgia.
Salem, like many urban churches, had been tremendously impacted by the economy and changing demographics. Worship attendance had declined significantly and as a result financial resources had dwindled as well. Dr. Moss was appointed to Salem in hopes that Salem would once again become a vital congregation and an integral part of the historic village of Harlem. Since his arrival, Salem has exhibited tremendous signs of revival. Worship attendance has increased by more than 100 persons. Membership has increased more than 25 persons. The church has increased its social media and technology footprint by creating a church website and utilizing Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Salem’s 501C3, Salem Community Services Council, has been revived as well as the Children’s Choir and the creation of the Male Chorus. Massive renovation projects have made the beautiful edifice more aesthetically appealing and more is being done to make the facility more accessible to the physically challenged.
A frequent guest of President Barack Obama’s National African American Clergy Leaders Group, Dr. Moss shares his concerns for human equality, civic and civil rights with lawmakers, leaders and congregants. He has testified on Capitol Hill before a Senate Hearing Committee on the long term effects of the unemployed. He revived the Cascade Community Services Corporation, which provided an incubator for new and small businesses, revitalized depressed areas and provided economic empowerment opportunities in the Cascade Community. Cascade’s outreach program was featured for its ability to serve “the least of these.” The ministry reached thousands of Atlanta-area residents through numerous programs; including its clothes closet which featured free clothing and household items, men’s shelter feedings, recidivism programs, and a yearly Thanksgiving Basket program which provided Atlanta area residents with a week’s worth of groceries during the Thanksgiving holiday season. In 2011 Cascade presented Morris Brown College President Stanley Pritchett with the monetary donation that helped the struggling college settle its debt to the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Moss has been featured by CNN, BBC, TBN, The History Channel, NPR, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
A native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Dr. Moss graduated from Hampton University and the Naval Chaplains Reserve Officers School. He also holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University. His extensive childhood travel resulting from being “an Army brat,” gave him a unique insight into different cultures and a passion for people of various ethnicities and experiences.
Dr. Moss is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, 100 Black Men of New York, and Leadership Atlanta Class of 2011. He is also a member of Gammon Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. Dr. Moss is the recipient of the 2003 and 2011 Denman Evangelism Award for Church Growth, the NAACP Emancipation Award, the 2011 Gammon Theological Seminary Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Whitney M Young, Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was also inducted into the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers in April of 2009. He serves as a Mentor/Coach and Consultant empowering other pastors and congregations to operate at their fullest God given potential.
Dr. Moss continues to preach with purpose, lead by example, and remain focused on his ultimate mission: Kingdom Building. He is excited to share his first book, NEXT: Surviving a Leadership Transition, and is looking forward to writing more publications whereby he can share practical principles, Christian counsel, and faith-based options for enhancing viability and increasing sustainability of any organization.