By Aria Brent,
AFRO Staff Writer,
abrent@afro.com
On Dec. 3, Rev. Dr. Tamara E. Wilson will make history when she officially starts as the first woman to ever serve as pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church. This new opportunity comes following her founding of Nu Season Nu Day Church and Ministries, where she served as pastor for eight years. Wilson founded the church while also working with the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture in her former role as chair. Noting that she’s excited for this new journey in her career as a faith leader, Wilson spoke with the AFRO about what she’s looking to bring to Pleasant Hope.
“As pastor, my priority would be preaching and teaching sound Christian doctrine. Of course, that is primary for everything that I intend to do,” said Wilson. “This would ensure a strong spiritual foundation for any work of ministry that the congregation would do. I also believe that the church’s mission to save souls and to make disciples is not detached from our responsibility to help people survive in their present living conditions and the challenges that they face.”
Wilson has been working in the faith industry for 20 years and has worked in a series of positions at different churches, however she admitted that she feels slightly overwhelmed coming into her latest position. She explained that in spite of her nerves, she recognizes the lord calling her to this new phase of her life.
“When I entered the process, it wasn’t because I was looking to make history. I entered the process because when the opportunity was presented to me I thought back to the initial call to pastor, and when I started Nu Season Nu Day I knew God was calling me to that northeast Baltimore corridor,” explained Wilson. “As you know, Nu Season Nu Day worshiped at the Govans-Boundary United Methodist Church for about three years–the first three years of our ministry. Because [of that], I really felt a pull to that area.”
Although it was God calling her to Pleasant Hope, being elected for this position was a lengthy and complex process. Sister Evelyn Hinton was a part of the board of church members that chose Wilson to be their new pastor.
“We are a committee of about 13 members and we took a survey from the congregation. They told us what characteristics they were looking for in a pastor. We then put those characteristics on a job application and posted it online and in-person,” said Hinton. “We came together and went through a number of applications, we had about 16. After reviewing the applications we presented our three final candidates to the congregation and they voted Pastor Wilson as the new pastor of Pleasant Hope.”
Wilson shared that she applied for the position in the Fall of 2022, received word about moving forward in the candidacy process at the top of this year and she was finally elected into the position about three weeks ago.
Pleasant Hope is celebrating their 90th anniversary this year, and throughout their existence they have become a staple in the Govans community. Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown III previously served as pastor at the historic church. However, his calling to serve the community in a different way– via his work with the Black Church Food Security Network– is what brought upon the opportunity for Wilson to become the new head of Pleasant Hope.
I’m looking forward to seeing how God continues her ministry in helping people to grow in their relationship with God and helping the congregation to discern its next steps with respect to community ministry as well,” stated Brown. “Pastor Wilson is very much so concerned and focused on the role of the church in the public square. Her personal ministry is evidence of her commitment to the challenges that women face and women’s empowerment, issues of social justice and advocacy with respect to public policy as well.
“She’s well rounded with respect to her concern and commitment to community oriented ministry, and I’m excited to see how that flourishes and blossoms in the context of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church.”
Wilson has major plans to continue doing God’s work and serving the local community through his word and furthermore, the church’s actions. She noted that during her time at Pleasant Hope people are guaranteed to learn that God loves them and that he has a purpose for everybody’s life.
“When you come to Pleasant Hope where I am, you’re going to learn about God and most importantly, that God loves you and I think that’s supreme over everything,” Wilson stated. “You’re going to find out that God has a purpose for your life. My ministry has always been about discovering who you are– in light of who God is.”