Our Pastor
Reverend Brian K. McCollum
Sargent welcomes you with open arms to lead and be a part of our family!!
Rev. Brian K. McCollum Biography
Brian Keith McCollum was born the youngest of three children to Clarence and Gloria McCollum in Forestville, MD. He is an ordained Teaching Elder/Pastor in the Presbyterian Church, USA. Brian was a Senior Teaching Fellow at the Presbyterian Pan American School where he taught an Old Testament course as well as Models of Leadership & Ethics course. Over the years, Brian has served in churches in West Africa, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. Brian also serves as the Chair of the Board for SOLE Defined Dance Company.
After graduating from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC, Brian followed in his brother’s footsteps and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Brian earned his bachelor degree in business administration and accepted a position as a Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Consultant with GlaxoSmithKline in Rockville, MD. After experiencing much success in sales, Brian wanted to make a tangible difference in his community, so he left the pharmaceutical position and joined a non-profit dance company called Step Afrika. While at Step Afrika, Brian served as the chaplain, performer, and Director of Arts and Education. Brian has performed fraternity and sorority step dance and South African Gumboot Dance in over 50 countries around the world. He has also performed on BET’s 106 and Park, the NBA Finals, and March Madness commercials.
During his time at Step Afrika, Brian accepted his call into ministry and became a seminarian at Princeton Theological Seminary. While at Princeton, Brian served as president of the Association of Black Seminarians, chaplain at Trenton Psych Hospital, and youth pastor at Victory Presbyterian Church in Accra, Ghana. He has preached around the world in places like Liberia, Ghana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. After graduating from Princeton with a master degree in divinity, Brian served in a dual role in ministry at both Sargent Memorial Presbyterian and The Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Washington DC.
Later, Princeton Theological Seminary offered Brian a position to work in higher education as the Director of Recruitment in the office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Brian accepted the offer and was very successful. As a reward, Brian was promoted to the Director of Alumni Relations position in the Office of Advancement where he helped raise $11.2 million in one academic year for the school. While working at Princeton, Brian earned a second master degree in strategic communication from Columbia University in New York City. Brian is finishing his first book entitled “The LOVE Principle: How to Build Community Through Love.” Finally, Brian is expected to complete his PhD program focusing on Educational Management in Higher Education at Hampton University in May 2024.
Brian is a “people” person and loves engaging with others. He lives by Philippians 1:6, “Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ!”
Pastoral Care
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Life brings both joys and challenges, and sometimes we need a listening ear and a word of prayer. At Sargent Memorial, our pastor, Rev. Brian K. McCollum, is available to walk alongside you through personal prayer and pastoral counseling. Whether you are seeking spiritual guidance, comfort in a difficult season, or simply someone to talk with, Rev. McCollum offers a compassionate presence rooted in faith and hope.
You are invited to schedule a time during his office hours for a confidential appointment. Please use the calendar below to select a time that works best for you.