LOTHIAN, Md. — Miracle Temple Church, located at 5501 Sands Road in Lothian, was one community organization that stepped up as a lifeline for anyone in need during the 43-day shutdown: seniors, young mothers, single parents, and families simply trying to make it through the storm.
Miracle Temple Church stands on historic ground once home to the Bristol Rosenwald School. Founded by the late Elder James and Edith Dorsey, the mission of serving the community now continues through their grandson, Minister Justin Wills, who serves as both minister and president of the church.
Wills himself was furloughed from his federal position during the 43-day shutdown. But instead of staying home worried and overwhelmed, Wills made a different choice.
“I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I chose action over excuses — because our community deserves solutions, not silence,” Wills wrote in an emailed statement to The BayNet.
Wills and the church jumped into outreach and tried to serve as many people as possible, including seniors on fixed incomes, young parents with small children, families affected by the shutdown, households struggling with food insecurity, as well as anyone seeking support or guidance.
And the community answered the church’s call for more help for those in need. The collaboration produced one of the largest and most effective outreach efforts the Lothian community has seen in years. These community partners included the Anne Arundel Police Department, the county food bank, and the True Church of Christ.
In addition to their ongoing efforts during the shutdown, the church and partners hosted two major events that saw a huge outpouring of community support: a Thanksgiving Giveaway on Nov. 15 and a spaghetti dinner on Nov. 6. The Thanksgiving Giveaway served 300 households with more than 130 turkeys (purchased by the Anne Arundel County Police Department), over 80 whole chickens, fresh fruit and produce, ground meats, essential pantry items, and clothing.
Volunteers in their bright orange shirts worked tirelessly at the giveaway, loading vehicles, carrying boxes, organizing lines, praying with families, offering smiles, and serving with compassion. The event also received strong support and encouragement from Anne Arundel County Chief of Police Amal E. Awad, who came in person to stand with the community during this important outreach effort.
A representative for the church said in an email it was “the church that refuses to sit still” and that this experience serves to show how much work that church, and community members, can do when they work together.
Volunteers, the church said, are the heart of the mission. None of this would have been possible without the incredible volunteers who showed up early, stayed late, and served with love.
They sorted clothing, prepared meals, managed traffic, packed grocery bags, encouraged families, prayed with neighbors, and created a safe, welcoming space for everyone who walked through the doors. Their dedication turned a moment of crisis into a moment of unity and hope.
“You haven’t seen or heard the last of Miracle Temple. We’re going to keep showing up — placing miracles back into our community one family at a time,” Wills wrote.
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