A New Year And A Chance For Rebirth
Receiving the message and for many a new start
Bishop TD Jakes Joins First Baptist Church of Glenarden To Set 2026 In Motion
By Lloyd Jeremiah And Raoul Dennis
Photography By Lloyd Jeremiah // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
As calendars turn and resolutions are whispered into the hopeful quiet of a new year, the tradition of revival services remains one of the most enduring and human expressions of renewal. The 2026 Joint New Year’s Revival, hosted by First Baptist Church of Glenarden International in partnership with Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, carries that timeless purpose forward—offering space for reflection, restoration, and recommitment at the threshold of a new beginning.
From January 7 through January 10, 2026, worshippers will gather not simply to mark another year passed, but to step deliberately into another chance. Revival, at its core, speaks to a universal human longing: the desire to begin again. Across generations and cultures, moments of collective renewal—spiritual awakenings, revivals, recommitments—have emerged during seasons of uncertainty, hardship, or transition. They answer a quiet but persistent question many people carry into the new year: Can I be made new?
Historically, revival services have served as more than religious gatherings. In Black church tradition especially, revivals have functioned as spiritual resets and community anchors—places where burdens are named, hope is restored, and people are reminded that transformation is possible even when circumstances feel immovable. During eras marked by economic hardship, social change, or personal loss, revivals have offered not escapism, but empowerment: a collective inhalation of courage and faith.
The 2026 Joint New Year’s Revival embraces that history while speaking directly to today’s moment. Each night features voices known for calling people toward healing, accountability, and purpose. Dr. Marcus Cosby opens the revival with a message centered on spiritual grounding and renewed commitment, followed by Rev. Marissa Farrow, whose ministry emphasizes restoration, emotional wholeness, and the power of praise. The revival crescendos with Bishop T.D. Jakes, whose preaching has long challenged individuals to confront fear, embrace growth, and step boldly into their calling. Together, these leaders frame renewal not as a fleeting emotional moment, but as an intentional choice—one that requires reflection, courage, and faith.
At the heart of this gathering stands First Baptist Church of Glenarden International, a Maryland institution whose influence reaches far beyond its sanctuary walls. For decades, the church has played a central role in community and family preservation—providing spiritual leadership alongside practical support for families navigating life’s complexities. Under the leadership of John Jenkins and Trina Jenkins, FBCG has built a ministry model that views faith as inseparable from daily life, family stability, and community responsibility.
Pastor Jenkins’ leadership has consistently emphasized empowerment—calling individuals to spiritual maturity while also addressing education, economic resilience, and family strengthening. Alongside him, First Lady Trina Jenkins has been a visible advocate for women, families, and holistic wellness, reinforcing the idea that spiritual renewal must also touch homes, relationships, and future generations. Together, they have shaped FBCG into a place where faith is lived, not just preached.
In hosting this joint revival, First Baptist Church of Glenarden once again affirms its role as a spiritual compass for the region—one that understands renewal as both sacred and practical. The message of the revival is clear: second chances are not abstract ideas reserved for sermons; they are lived experiences made possible through community, faith, and intentional reflection.
As 2026 begins, the Joint New Year’s Revival invites worshippers to pause, release what has weighed them down, and reclaim hope. In a world that often moves too fast to heal, revival offers a moment to breathe, believe, and begin again—together.
