The Reverend Dr. Jesse L. Wood is an inspired preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an accomplished educator, teacher, political organizer, scholar and servant, who believes that living is about helping others.

Dr. Wood serves as the Executive Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, Largo, MD, where the Rev. Dr. George Lewis Parks, Jr. is the Senior Servant. In addition to managing the day-to-day activities of the church, he provides leadership to staff ministers, a cadre of associate ministers, and oversees more than 30 ministries.

Prior to coming to the Washington, DC area, Dr. Wood pastored the Love Zion Baptist Church, Columbus, OH, for 18 years. He is credited for the total renovation of the sanctuary, fellowship hall, chapel and pastoral suite. Under his leadership, the church received a grant for HUD 202 Housing
Project for 25 handicapped housing units, known as Love Zion Manor.

The son of a preacher, Dr. Wood was licensed and ordained by his late father, Rev. A. Wilson Wood, then Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Columbus, OH

Rev. Wood completed his undergraduate studies at Central State University, Wilberforce, OH with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education; he received his Master of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in Educational Administration. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA and his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH He is also the proud recipient of the Honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters from his Alma Mater, Central State University.

In addition to being inducted into the Morehouse Board of Preachers in 2004, Dr. Wood is the recipient of numerous previous awards including Teacher of the Year, and Who’s Who in American Elementary Education. He has an extensive background in community service, and has served on
numerous boards, including Central State University Board of Trustees, the Columbus Museum of Art and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Arts Center.

He is an avid golfer and a hopeful gardener. An experienced world-traveler, he has led groups across the globe, most recently to Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi Coast, Italy.

His is happily married to Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood, Pastor of Dayspring Community Church, Lanham, MD. He is the father of 5 adult children and 15 grandchildren, and a 75 lb. Airedale Terrier named Blue.