Our Story
Through the tender mercy of our God; with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
– Luke 1:78-79 (NKJV) –
It is perhaps providential that the Dayspring Community Church was born during the month that is known for honoring African-American history and love. On February 11, 1996, Dayspring Community Church was founded under the prophetic fire and vision of the late Rev. Dr. L. Charles Bennett. The new church awakened to frigid temperatures and a record-breaking snowfall on the very day scheduled for its first service. Nevertheless, more than 100 parishioners braved the inclement weather and showed up at the Greenbelt Marriott to see what God was doing. During that first service, 68 grateful souls pledged themselves to the establishment of this faithful evangelical church. The Pastor’s sermon was aptly titled, “Great Day in the Morning!
The ensuing years were focused on building a firm foundation based on prophetic and powerful preaching and teaching, a prideful expression and nod toward our rich ancestral heritage, and an embracing of meaningful music and fine arts.
Upon Dr. Bennett’s resignation in October 2004, the leaders remained steadfast and quickly determined that the church’s great mission must continue on. The Elders fasted and prayed and enlisted the aid of Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, then Executive Director of the DC Baptist Convention, to serve as Interim Pastor and to help guide them through the transition. Under his caring and compassionate leadership, they embarked on a national pastoral search that resulted in a seamless process.
In August 2005, the church joyously called their then Executive Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia T. Turner Wood, to serve as senior pastor. Under Dr. Turner’s leadership, the church’s emphasis is on developing a vibrant and strong community of faith, serving God’s people through local and global missions, and carrying out the tenets of the early church found in Acts 2, still believing that a church can be built on the Word of God.
The DayspringNation, as we call ourselves, is a congregation of disciples of Jesus Christ who remain acutely aware that it’s the people that make the church, not the building. To God be all the glory!
The ensuing years were focused on building a firm foundation based on prophetic and powerful preaching and teaching, a prideful expression and nod toward our rich ancestral heritage, and an embracing of meaningful music and fine arts.
The DayspringNation, as we call ourselves, is a congregation of disciples of Jesus Christ who remain acutely aware that it’s the people that make the church, not the building. To God be all the glory!