Bishop Frank M. Reid, III
Bishop Frank M. Reid, III is an innovative thought leader, powerful speaker, dynamic preacher and an international change agent.
Born in Chicago, IL., in 1951, Bishop Reid is a 5th generation AME minister. Both of Reid’s Grandfather and Father, Frank M. Reid, Sr. and Frank M. Reid, Jr. served the African Methodist Church as Bishops. Bishop Frank M. Reid, III is a 3rd generation Bishop.
As a child, Bishop Reid was surrounded by books and raised to treasure educational excellence and achievement. Bishop Reid is a life-long learner and an avid reader. The statement, “readers become leaders” is a driving force in his life.
During the course of his impressive educational journey, he matriculated from public schools in St. Louis, MO., to the Rockefeller Foundation’s Yale Transitional Year Program, on to Yale University, where he graduated in 1974. Without pause, Bishop Reid enrolled in Harvard Divinity School, where he completed his Master of Divinity degree in 1978. In 1990, he completed his Doctor of Ministry Degree at United Theological Seminary, where he held the distinction of being selected for the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Fellows Program. Reid was part of the inaugural class of Samuel DeWitt Proctor Fellows Program at UTS.
Bishop Reid’s life has been filled with a mesmerizing array of achievements. From the time he preached his trial sermon in 1971, he has dedicated himself to faithful service to God and God’s people. The Year 2024 marks 53 years in ministry.
In the mid 1970s, he served as a missionary pastor in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, then accepted an appointment as pastor of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, in Charlotte, NC. During the 1980s he served as servant leader at Ward A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. In 1988, the late Bishop H. Hartford Brookins appointed Bishop Reid to the historic pulpit of Bethel A.M.E. Church, in Baltimore, MD. There, Bishop Reid served as Senior Pastor from 1988 to 2016.
During his 28-year tenure at Bethel Baltimore, Bishop Reid led the congregation to become one church in two locations and became a pre-eminent spiritual beacon to the nation. His TV Ministry (“Outreach of Love”) flourished as well, reaching millions via the BET, The Armed Services Network and Word Networks. Adding to his media offerings, Bishop Reid authored three influential and bestselling books, “The Nehemiah Plan”, “Restoring the House of God” and “Up From Slavery.” He also co-authored (with Dr. Jeremiah Wright) “When Black Men Stand Up for God: Reflections on the Million Man March.” Notably, Bishop Reid and Bethel Baltimore received numerous mentions and were featured in the HBO television series, “The Wire.”
Bishop Reid is a gifted orator and dynamic Christian leader, yet he has also been instrumental in equipping and empowering people beyond church walls.
During the 1980s, he was a key advisor in the historic presidential campaigns of Rev. Jesse Jackson. During that same era, he served as a consultant on the hit comedy show, AMEN. More recently, for two terms, he served on the prestigious Board of Regents for the state of Maryland.
In July, 2016, Bishop Reid was elected as the 138th Bishop of the A.M.E. Church, marking the first time in A.M.E. history that three generations from the same family were elevated to the Episcopacy. Bishop Reid served as the Ecumenical Officer, Chair for Social Justice and the Endorsing Agent for the AME Chaplaincy. While serving as the Endorsing Agent Bishop Reid created the Victory Tour visiting chaplains around the globe, increasing morale and strengthening the chaplaincy. In 2019, Bishop Reid served as Bishop of the Third Episcopal District. Currently, Bishop Reid serves as the Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal District and Chair of Christian Education for the AME Church. During his tenure in the Eleventh Episcopal District he intentionally facilitated and developed a strong cyber presence, creating an on-line presence for local churches during worship, Annual Conferences and other district wide meetings. Purposefully, Reid developed a district expert IT team that supported virtual meetings and the upgrade of local churches to expand the footprint of the district.
Although Bishop Reid has received countless awards and accolades, his greatest legacy is his faith and family. He has been married to the woman he calls “Lady” Marlaà Reid since March 15, 1980. Together they are the proud parents of three wonderful children: Shane, FranShon Reid Barnes (Rev. Willie Barnes), and Faith; and the grandparents to Harleaux Barnes. At this stage of his life and ministry, Bishop Reid is most intentional about directing his investment of time and wisdom into equipping future generations to glorify God in faith, family, fitness and finance. During his restructured life (retirement) He will continue to build The Recover All Network, a Spiritual & Strategic Ministry for global prayer and conferences.