On Woodyard Road in Upper Marlboro, Melwood Church of the Nazarene opens its doors each Sunday at 10am for a blended worship service that aims to lead people into the presence of God. The church's motto - Love God, Love People, serve the world - shapes everything from Sunday gatherings to weekday Bible studies and outreach to local schools. Sunday worship is streamed live for those joining from home, and giving options include in-person, online, by mail, and by text message.
Sunday Mornings at 10
The main Sunday service begins at 10am at 6906 Woodyard Road. Worship is described as dynamically blended, drawing people into the presence of God so the congregation can seek his face and hear his voice together. Visitors are welcomed to come as they feel comfortable, with no dress code specified beyond personal comfort. The service is livestreamed online for those who want to join from home, and a podcast invites listeners on a journey to discover what it means to belong to the Kingdom of Heaven.
A Second Option for Families: Home Base
For families who find Sunday mornings too early, Home Base offers a family-based, child-focused worship service on select Sunday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm at the church. The service is designed so children can feel engaged rather than an afterthought, creating a nurturing space where families learn about faith together through worship, age-appropriate teaching, and shared time. No membership is required, just an interest in being part of a welcoming place. The church invites parents looking for a slower-paced, family-friendly entry point to give it a try.
Stephen and Debbie Hause
Lead Pastor Stephen Hause and his wife Debbie moved to the area in May 2019 with their two teenage sons, Christian and Andrew. The couple has been in ministry for sixteen years, serving in roles ranging from pastor to the Deaf to youth ministry, compassionate ministry, and associate pastor before Stephen became lead pastor at Melwood. After exploring the area and meeting neighbors before COVID, the Hause family leaned into helping the church learn what meaningful community looks like in a new season of ministry. Stephen invites anyone curious about Melwood to connect by phone or over coffee, sharing his direct cell number as a personal point of contact rather than routing callers through a front office.
Kids, Youth, and Basecamp
Melwood's children's ministry is built around Basecamp, a new worship area designed to help parents lay a solid foundation for their child's journey with Jesus. Kids encounter a high-energy worship environment with motions and movement, hands-on crafts and activities that bring scripture to life, and age-appropriate small group discussions that maximize learning. The GROW app, available for iOS, extends the Basecamp conversation at home throughout the week. The church also points families to an affiliated early learning center for younger children. Youth in grades 6 through 12 meet Sunday evenings and stay connected through outings like paintball and other regular activities that build faith and community.
Growing in Faith Together
Several weekly rhythms help adults grow deeper at Melwood. Discipled By Jesus meets online, giving participants a chance to listen for the voice of Jesus through their own thoughts, scripture, and one another from the comfort of home without a busy commute. Bible Study is led by Rev. Dolores Joyner and walks a group through a book of the Bible or a topic of interest, with group dynamics that encourage engagement and contemplation of deeper questions in scripture. Community Groups meet at varied times throughout the week in smaller settings for those who want to connect and grow beyond Sunday mornings, and the church helps newcomers find a group that fits their stage of life and questions.
Reaching Out Through the Melwood Connection
The Melwood Connection is the church's outreach arm, focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus in the surrounding community. The church partners with Melwood Elementary School to support teachers through a difficult year, offering service opportunities ranging from writing encouragement cards to visiting teachers in person. Other outreach continues to develop as the congregation identifies places where help is needed locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, in keeping with the church's call to love God, love people, and serve the world.
Nazarene Beliefs and Heritage
As a Church of the Nazarene congregation, Melwood holds to the historic holiness and Wesleyan-Arminian tradition that shapes the global denomination. The church points visitors who want to learn more about its beliefs to the official Nazarene statement of faith. Locally, this heritage shows up in a commitment to scriptural authority, the pursuit of holy living, and a missions-minded heart that values both personal faith and practical service to others.
Community Events Throughout the Year
Beyond Sunday services and weekly groups, Melwood hosts a number of community traditions that bring neighbors together. The Community Trunk R Treat fills an October evening with bounce houses, food trucks, and decorated trunks full of candy for the kids. The Burn's Annual Bonfire gathers friends and family at a member's property in nearby Lothian, with camping chairs, hot dogs, and s'mores on the menu. The Live Well workshop invites attendees into a time of practical teaching and encouragement, with registration available online through the church's events page.
Giving, Prayer, and Staying Connected
Giving at Melwood can be done in person on Sunday mornings through contactless options, online through a secure giving portal, by mail to the church address, or by texting a dollar amount to 301-888-6906. Anyone who wants the church to pray for them can submit a request through the Pray For Me page, and a team commits to praying over each submission. The church also keeps in touch through a regular podcast and a Facebook page where upcoming events and community news are posted.