Our Pastor
The Reverend André R. Briscoe, Jr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He holds the Bachelor of Music degree in Music History from Howard University in Washington, the District of Columbia. He has studied piano with Thomas Flagg and organ with John Strange, Dr. James Abbington, Dr. Raymond Jackson, and Dr. Mickey Thomas Terry. Reverend Briscoe studied music history with Dr. Vada E. Butcher and choral conducting with Dr. J. Weldon Norris. In 2003, Reverend Briscoe won the inaugural organ fellowship of the African Heritage and Cultural Institute of America. For over 20 years, Reverend Briscoe served as Director of Music and Organist for several churches and religious organizations, of various faith traditions, throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia regions.
In 2007, Reverend Briscoe was named an Ivan Earl Taylor Scholar. In January 2011, he participated in the Festival of Young Preachers where he was inducted into the Academy of Preachers. In 2012, Reverend Briscoe completed the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Bayview Medical Campus, where he served as a Chaplain Intern. Reverend Briscoe holds the Master of Divinity Degree and a Certificate in Urban Ministry Specialization from the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, the District of Columbia. He is currently pursuing the Master of Theological Studies Degree at the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, the District of Columbia.
In January 2015, Reverend Briscoe was appointed to serve as pastor of the Saint Matthew’s New Life United Methodist Church, in Baltimore, Maryland. In May of the same year, Reverend Briscoe was commissioned a Provision Elder in the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. In May 2019, Reverend Briscoe was affirmed by the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference Board on Ordained Ministry for ordination as an Elder in full connection and was ordained May 31, 2019 at the 235th Session of the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference. Reverend Briscoe currently serves on the Baltimore Washington Conference (BWC) Worship Team, Discipleship Council, BWC Caucus of Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR), Northeastern Jurisdiction BMCR Young People’s Task Force, Baltimore Region Lay Servant Academy, and the Baltimore Region Leadership Day design team.
Sharing the Gospel, love of Christ, and Grace of God through community engagement, liturgy, pastoral and music ministries are Reverend Briscoe’s greatest passions. He believes his gifts are treasures from God and he is an earthen vessel purposed for the glorification of God and the edification of the Body of Christ.
