SHEPHERD'S HEART
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
ABOUT
Leadership
Rev. Dr. Sandra Conner
Pastor
At an early age, under the spiritual guidance and leadership of the late Rev. Matthew Marcus, Sr., Dr. Sandra E. Conner accepted the Lord as her personal savior at Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church (currently known as Ark Church, under the leadership of Dr. J. L. Carter). At Ark church, she served in many capacities, including administration, Christian education, the women’s ministry, singing on the choir and as a trustee. In 2005, “to make room for gifts” and to prepare her for such a time as this, God called her to Shepherd’s Heart Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Wilbur C. Giles.
Dr. Conner is known for her love and devotion to her family and friends, as well as her call to serve others. She has a strong desire for individuals, as well as communities to become self-reliant and self-sufficient. For this reason and to God’s glory, she spends relentless hours empowering others in her church, the workplace, and communities she serves, helping them to discover their God given power to become the best they can be so they too can realize God’s purpose for their lives. She is an individual who makes use of all her God given gifts of administration, grant writing, planning and organization, marketing, preaching and teaching to motivate and encourage everyone she encounters.
Her belief in God’s Word, 2 Timothy 2:15, “to study to show thyself approved …” can be seen in her Christian education and in her secular degrees in higher education. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University in Sociology; holds several Master’s Degrees, Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University, Church Ministry and Pastoral Care from St. Mary’s Seminary, and Public Administration from Sojourner-Douglass College; and received a Doctorate in Christian Education from Graduate Theological Foundation.
She is an effective speaker, trainer and workshop facilitator. Dr. Conner has designed and facilitated numerous corporate, community and faith-based organization trainings such as the Transportation Institute Partnership (TIP), a transportation entrepreneurial curriculum; and workshops such as “New Age Thinking,” “Change Agent,” “Getting Ready for the Bailout” and “Women Connected to Serve God” (the last two were authored by Dr. Conner). She has been the guest speaker at numerous events; most recently in May, 2013, she facilitated a workshop on “Turning Groups into Teams” at the Pastors and Leaders Conference, Iron Sharpens Iron. In recognition of her gifts, she has received numerous awards certificates, and plaques.
Dr. Conner values “shared visions and connects with organizations that promote her and others’ personal, professional and spiritual growth. She is a retiree of Verizon; a director at Sojourner-Douglass College; a member of the Baptist Ministers Of Baltimore and Vicinity Conference, Baptist Ministers Night Conference; lifetime member of Sojourner-Douglass College and Morgan State University Alumni Associations; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Inc., National Council of Negro Women, and serves on several transportation citizens’ advisory councils and boards, e.g., the Red Line CAC, where she was appointed by the Governor.
She is the proud mother of her daughter Donisia, son-in-law Dave, and grandson, Isaiah. She praises God continually for her sister, Sharon, her brothers Charles and Yoland, and her extended family and friends. She continually thanks and praises God for her parents, the late Yoland and Gussie Conner.
Dr. Conner holds firmly to her belief that all that she has, is and will be is only because of God’s Grace and Mercy, believing that SHE AND WE “CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS” Philippians 4:13.
Emeritus Wilbur C. Giles and Mary E. Giles
Pastor and Lady
Pastor Wilbur C. Giles was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He has one sibling, Evelyn Hill. He attended Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating in 1947 from Dunbar High School as a football champion. He received his Bachelors of Arts Degree and Masters Degree from Virginia Seminary. Pastor Giles has studied under teachers such as Rev. Dr. A. C. Alexander, Rev. Robert Farrows and Rev. Dr. A.C.D. Vaughn. He holds membership in the Ministers Day Conference.
Upon graduating from High School, Pastor Giles joined Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church, where he served under the leadership of the late Rev. Matthew Marcus and Dr. J. L. Carter as Trustee, Sunday School Teacher and sang on the original Male Chorus. After years of service at Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Giles had a vision from God to open the doors of Shepherd’s Heart Missionary Baptist Church. On June 2, 1991 that vision became real with the help of Rev. Dr. Eddie R. Wilson, the Dean of the Virginia Seminary of Religion, an extension Lynchburg Virginia. His first service was held on Sunday, June 2, 1991 at Edmondson and Hilton Street in Edmondson Village. At this service, the pastor and founder, Rev. Wilbur C. Giles, served Holy Communion.
In October, 1992, He led the members from Winchester and Carey Streets to 1210 Riggs Avenue where God richly blessed this congregation us with a permanent worship facility. In 2001, as a result of Baltimore City’s community improvement initiatives in the Winchester area, Pastor Giles was forced to look for another worship facility. God blessed the church to move to its current location, 5405 York Road, on November 21, 2003. The first service was held on November 23, 2003 in the upstairs fellowship hall.
After serving the church for more than 22 years, in April, 2013, Pastor Giles announced to the joint board he was going to retire and he recommended Rev. Dr. Sandra Conner to be the person to assume the role of pastor. On June 30, 2013, Rev. Wilbur C. Giles became pastor emeritus.
Lady Mary E. Giles was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and came to Baltimore at an early age. She is a graduate of Dunbar High School. Lady Giles accepted the Lord as her personal savior at the age of nine and has been working and serving Him ever since. Before coming to Shepherd’s Heart with her husband, Pastor Giles, Lady Giles was an active member of Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church where she served in various capacities, including singing on the choir, Christian education, church stewardship, as well as leadership positions, i.e., church secretary. At Shepherd’s Heart she continues to use her gift of singing, and her love for God’s people to serve others. Lady Giles was instrumental in our having a food pantry among other ministries to glorify God.
Pastor Emeritus Wilbur C. Giles and Lady Mary E. Giles have been married for 66 years and have four grown children and four grandchildren.
History
“Now the Lord had said unto Abram get thee out of thy country and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” Genesis 12:1 (KJV)
After years of service at the Little Ark Baptist Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Matthew Marcus and continued service under the leadership of Rev. James L. Carter, Rev. Wilbur Giles had a vision from God to open the doors of Shepherd’s Heart Missionary Baptist Church. On June 2, 1991 that vision became real with the help of Rev. Dr. Eddie R. Wilson, the Dean of the Virginia Seminary of Religion, an extension Lynchburg Virginia. Our first service was held on Sunday, June 2, 1991 at Edmondson and Hilton Street in Edmondson Village. At this service, the pastor and founder, Rev. Wilbur C. Giles, served Holy Communion.
The charter members of this church were, Rev. Wilbur Giles, Sister Mary Giles, the Late Deacon Nehemiah Teasdell, Sister Willie Mae Teasdell, the late sister Mildred Dean, Brother Andre Teasdell and the late Sister Ruth Shannon. On June 11, 1991, the first church meeting was held. At this meeting, it was moved by Brother André Teasdell and seconded by the late Sister Mildred Dean that Rev. Wilbur Giles become the pastor of the Church. The meeting was then turned over to our pastor and founder. Rev. Giles asked the question of the members “Where do you find yourself in this ministry?” Several answers were given. The late Deacon Teasdell became the first Financial Secretary. The late Sister Mildred Dean was the second signature. It was moved by the late Deacon Teasdell that Brother Andre Teasdell become the first Trustee and Sister Mary E. Giles seconded the motion.
In October, 1992, we marched from Winchester and Carey Streets to 1210 Riggs Avenue where God richly blessed us with a permanent worship facility. In 2001, as a result of Baltimore City’s community improvement initiatives in the Winchester area, we were forced to look for another worship facility. God blessed us to move to our current location, 5405 York Road, on November 21, 2003. Our first service was held on November 23, 2003 in the upstairs auditorium.
Seeking assistance for the spiritual and administrative tasks of the church, Rev. Giles appointed Minister Castro Skinner, Jr., now pastor of Flat Rock Baptist Church, as his Assistant pastor in 2005. Under the leadership of these two preachers, an evangelism ministry was formed, as well as Christian education workshops were designed and facilitated for the members of Shepherds Heart.
God lead Rev. Dr. Sandra Conner to Shepherd’s Heart in 2005 and upon her joining the church, she assumed the responsibility for many of the administrative functions of the church. Responding to her call to preach the gospel, Pastor Giles was lead by God to let her preach her initial sermon on Sunday, July 16, 2006. In this capacity, she designed and facilitated New Members’ training, as well as workshops to address the needs of Shepherd’s Heart members and the community.
Continually focusing on the needs of its members and the communities it serves, SHMBC established a food pantry in 2008; a men’s fellowship in 2009; began featuring creative dramatization of God’s word and our history in 2009, and a women’s ministry in 2011.
In April, 2013, Pastor Giles held meetings with the joint board and began discussing opportunities for church growth and his plans to become Pastor Emeritus, giving his recommendation to the board to elect Rev. Dr. Sandra E. Conner as the Pastor Elect. The board, as well as the church accepted his recommendation in May, 2013. Pastor-elect Rev. Dr. Sandra Conner was installed on Sunday, July 28, 2013 as the second pastor of Shepherd’s Heart Missionary Baptist Church.
Beliefs
The Scriptures- The Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God's revelation of Himself to man. It had God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth for its matter.
God- There is one and only one living and true God. God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. To God we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience.
The Trinity- God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
The Fall Of Man- God originally created man in holiness, free from sin, but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law.
Salvation- Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer.
Justification- Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; not in consideration of any works of righteousness we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood.
Regeneration- Regeneration means being “born again.” Unbelievers are dead in trespasses and sins, but through God’s grace, their new birth is of the spirit. Conversion takes place when sinners turn to God in repentance and faith for salvation. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.
Repentance- Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God so as to please Him in all things.
Providence- God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet, so as not in any wise to be the author or approver of sin not to
Baptism- Christian Baptism is the full emersion in water of a believer into the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost to show our belief and faith in the crucified, buried and risen saviour.
Mission
Our mission is to mobilize and maximize the capacities of the saints to reach and teach those who are hurting and lost … Matthew 9:35-38 NIV
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Ministries
Care and Concern
There are times and circumstances in life, when we need the support and care of others. This ministry is responsible for reaching out to others by sending a card, as well as contacting individuals in need, showing others care and are concerned about their well being.
Christian Education
At SHMBC you have several opportunities for spiritual growth; Sunday School every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Bible study every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m., and every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Deacon/Deaconess
To provide assistance to the Pastor, promoting spiritual growth for individuals, as well as the entire body of Christ at SHMBC.
Evangelism
Being ever mindful of God’s great commission found in Matthew 28:19, this ministry is introduce individuals to the good news of Jesus Christ and His salvation.
Finance
This ministry is responsible for overseeing the stewardship of church finances and assets.
Men’s
The men meet the second Saturday of the month, with a few exceptions, at 10:00 a.m. The men come together to grow in God’s word and fellowship with one another.
Music Ministry
God desires for us to make a joyful noise unto Him using all forms of music to praise him. Our music ministry, including the choir and praise and worship leaders’ primary role is to lead the congregation in worship and praises unto God.
New Member’s
Serves as an opportunity to share with persons who join SHMBC, our beliefs and principles, as well as an introduction to how to study God’s word.
Usher’s
Persons on this ministry serve as “God’s doorkeepers,” greeting and directing others with a kind smile and with love.
Women’s
Women 18 years of age and older, come together to study God’s word and to fellowship with one another, encouraging each other to grow in God’s grace.
Youth
Provides an opportunity for our youth to discover and demonstrate their gifts while learning about God’s plan for their lives.