MEET THE SENIOR PASTOR

Rev. Sybil Olivia Felton

Senior Pastor

Rev. Sybil Olivia Felton is a native of Washington, DC, and was educated in the District Public School System at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in 1985.  A member of Union Wesley AME Zion church since the age of 4, this woman of God gave her life to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1988 while on the campus of Ohio University.  In 1989, Sybil received a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University, Athens, OH.  In 1990, she accepted her call to the ministry.  In 2000, she received her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO.  Currently, she attends United Theological Seminary, working towards her Doctor of Ministry degree.  

During her time in Denver, Co, Rev. Felton served on staff at Spottswood AME Zion as Assistant Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church as Associate Minister and Co-Youth Minister, and Park Hill United Methodist Church as Student Pastor Intern and Youth Minister.  In 2000, Rev. Felton moved to Chicago, IL where she served on staff at Martin Temple AME Zion church as an Associate Minister.  In 2004, she was ordained Elder in the AME Zion Church. Rev. Sybil Felton spent the first 28 years of her ministry under the late Rev. Dr. Lewis M. Anthony, serving at the following churches: Varick Memorial AME Zion, Metropolitan Wesley AME Zion, and then St. Lucille AME Zion.  After which, Rev. Felton co-labored under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Darrell J. Gaskin at Beth Shalom AME Zion Church.  In 2023, Rev. Felton was appointed the first female Pastor of the historic St. John AME Zion Church in Odenton, Md.  

Rev. Felton’s ministry transcends racial, cultural, and denominational barriers. Rev. Felton has traveled the world as an Ambassador for Christ from the Sea of Galilee in Israel to the corridors of England to the urban cities of the United States of America.  As an anointed and yielded vessel unto the Lord, Rev. Felton preaches, teaches, and conducts workshops, bible studies, conferences, revivals, and seminars. This Christian Educator is a Woman of Integrity, motivated by a Spirit of Excellence.  While passionate about ministry, Rev. Felton would like to be known as a Disciple of Jesus Christ, “One who teaches what the teacher taught”. 

Sybil is a proud, financial, and active member of the Prince George’s County Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Currently, Rev. Felton is employed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Insurance, and a student in the Doctor of Ministry program at United Theological Seminary.  Humbled by the call that God has placed on her life, Rev. Felton is passionate about her purpose, which is to encourage, educate, equip, and empower the World through the spoken and written Word of God. 

Favorite Scriptures

 Psalms 139: 13 – 14 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

Gospel of John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God