ABOUT OUR LEADERS
Bishop Alfred Reaves
Bishop Alfred Reaves, fourth (4th ) surviving son, and sixth (6th ) of 13 children born to Elder Reaves Sr., and Mother Novella Reaves. He was born on November 9, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Baltimore City public schools and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1959.
Bishop Reaves was a member of the Douglass football and baseball teams while attending high school. He attended the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from the International Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Very early in his life, Bishop Reaves demonstrated a passion for the ministry. His other often spoke of his desire to become a “preacher”, and how as a child he would adorn one of his father’s shirts, representing a pastoral robe, and began emulating his mentor “Bishop Winfield Showell.
In the year 1961 Bishop Reaves was joined in matrimony to Marlene Carr. She has always been at his side, sharing the ministry as a part of her calling in life. He always says that Lady Marlene is the rock of the family. They have 2 daughters; Rhonda Reaves, and Robin Reaves; one son, Elder Reginald Reaves; two grandsons, Dominique Williams, and Mehki Hunter; two grandaughters, Brielle Reaves and Thalia Reaves.
Bishop Reaves also inherited his mother’s musical talents and is a recording artist, as well as a writer. He has written and recorded a number of songs and has released five CD’s entitled “The Secret Place”, “Majesty”, “Meditation/Love Song”, “I Worship” and “Promise of My Love”.
Bishop Reaves pastored the “Fellowship of the Jesus Associates” from 1972-1976 and has pastored The Church of the New Covenant since 1978. He presides over the Mid-Atlantic Diocese Central Maryland District of the International Bible Way Church of Jesus Christ International. He has served as a member of the Executive Board of Bishops of the International Bible Way Church organization and served eight years as Executive Secretary.
Bishop Reaves gives high priority to family unity, both natural and spiritual. His favorite theme is to “spend quality time with your family.” He has, and continues to be a mentor for other pastors and is a committed student of the infallible Word of God. Bishop Reaves says that his goal and passion is to fulfill the calling that God has placed upon his life and strive to live in a manner that brings glory and honor to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
In Memory of our Beloved Elder James G. Reaves
November 12, 1931 - October 19, 2021
James Gillis Reaves, Sr. (Bubbles) was the 3rd. child of the late Neal Reaves, Sr., and Novella Harrington Reaves. James was born in Sanford, North Carolina, November 12, 1931. In 1936 his parents and three siblings moved to Baltimore, Maryland. As an adult James travelled yearly to Sanford to visit with grandmother Mama Lizzie, his uncles, aunts, and other relatives. Occasionally these visits consisted of his father, Neal Reaves Sr., and son James (Jimmy).
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After attending the Baltimore City public school system, James was employed at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard for 30 years initially as a shipfitter and retired as a supervisor.
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On March 7, 1950, James was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Sister Delores Sherwood Reaves, and from this union three children were born (Ree, Jimmy, and Esther). Elder James shared the bonds of holy matrimony with the late Sister Delores for more than fifty years until the Lord called her from labor to reward in the year 2000.
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Elder James was a spiritual and faithful assistant pastor for the past 47+ years to his brother Bishop Alfred Reaves. During these years he was engaged in many church ministries that involved preaching the gospel, teaching weekly bible studies, superintendent of the New Covenant's Sunday school, assistant president of the Inspirational Choir; and renovating different parts of the church building until his health prevented his services.
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Elder James loved listening to and singing old gospel hymn classics, completing home renovation projects. lawn, and vegetable garden maintenance. He enjoyed Sunday evenings watching timeless sermons preached by Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson and Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. He loved to read and study God's word (Bible) - he would say "God's word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones". He faithfully prayed for and with others, and enjoyed spending time with his family. James was a loving, gentle person committed to his God given calling; he was a devoted husband, father, sibling, friend, always thinking of others first. During the years of 2003-2011, Elder James had the opportunity to experience touring with his daughter and special friend Robert (Bob) Sanders to London, Switzerland, Venice, Paris, Rome, Italy, Amsterdam; and a 21 day Holy Land Experience along with a diversity of tour groups.
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Elder James was preceded in death by his wife, Sister Delores Sherwood Reaves, daughter, Esther Denise Reaves, brothers, Neal Reaves, Jr. Joel A. Reaves, William A. Black, and sister Gail Reaves. Elder James leaves to cherish his memories his beloved daughter, Delores Joyce Reaves, son, James G. Reaves, Jr. five brothers: Marion (Odell), Johnnie, Alfred (Marlene), Timothy (Shirley), Michael (Dowan) four sisters, Mary Jackson, Joyce Gillard (Thomas), Janet Green (Paul), Pamela Scriber-Reaves (Reginald); three grandchildren, Torico, Isa, and Joshua Reaves, six great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Virginia (Frank) Fuller, Cecelia Brooks, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and neighbors.
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2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV) - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (God promises an end, a rest, and a crown).
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Pastor Reginald Reaves
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Reginald Walter Reaves was born on 12-25-68. He attended Northern Senior High, has a Bachelor of Ministry degree from International Seminary and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Christian counseling. He was ordained an elder by the Bible Way Church of our Lord Jesus Christ Inc. in 1997.
Reggie is the proud son of Bishop Alfred and Marlene Reaves whom he affectionately calls “his Kids”. He has fond memories of his childhood and growing up in a happy, godly home. It was home where he was nurtured and trained up in the things of God.
Even at a tender, young age, he sensed the nearness and presence of God in his life. As a little boy, he developed a love for the Word of God, participating in Sunday school at the church of his Dad’s first pastorate (The Fellowship of the Jesus Associates). The deposit of the Word of God in his life would serve to keep him during the difficult adolescent years that would soon test all that he had been taught.
During his teenage years, he would experience and discover the vanity that the world offers. But remembering how he had been raised, and his accountability to the true and the living God, he started seeking answers to life’s questions in the Word of God. He began collecting the tapes of messages preached by his Dad, his Uncle (Elder James Reaves) and his Granddad (Elder Neal Reaves Sr.) and many guest preachers.
Now with a collection of tapes and books, he would spend many hours burning the midnight oil seeking the wisdom and knowledge of God. He has a special appreciation and interest in eschatology (the study of end-time events). He came to love bible study and Sunday school because he could ask questions.
Although Reggie was baptized as a young child, he was baptized again now with a better understanding. And on Valentine’s Day 1988, Reggie received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in the home of his parents.
On February 11, 1989, he began working for the U. S. Postal Service where he is currently employed today. It was there that he was exposed to the deep hurts of people and developed a passion to win souls to the kingdom. He is certified as a federal EEO Counselor.
Reggie is happily married to the “love of his life” Katrina, and they are the proud parents of their two girls, Brielle and Thalia. Katrina works alongside her husband in ministry to bring God’s healing and salvation to our communities.
Elder Reaves’ ministry goals are to bring restoration and healing to families; to ignite in the church a love for God’s Word; and to prepare a people for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.