Since May 2018, the Reverend Adrian V. Nelson, II, has served as the pastor of Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church located in Arlington, VA.
Rev. Nelson was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. He is a proud graduate of Hampton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree (with high honors) in Economics. Rev. Nelson also earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary. Additionally, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary..
Before responding to the Lord’s call into the ordained ministry, Reverend Nelson practiced law for nearly 20 years, specializing in Employment law/Employment Discrimination litigation with various law firms in Maryland and Washington, D.C. He became the first African American partner in one of the law firms in which he worked and had his own practice for 10 years.
Reverend Nelson answered God’s call into the ordained ministry in 1997, while a member of Clinton AME Zion Church in Rockville, MD. Reverend Nelson’s call is to “preach and teach” the word of God. He was ordained a deacon and elder in the AME Zion Church in 2002 and 2004, respectively.
In July 2004, Reverend Nelson received a paper appointment from the late Bishop Milton A. Williams, Sr. to plant Abundant Life AME Zion Church in Columbia, MD, where he served as pastor for six years. In 2010, Reverend Nelson was appointed to serve as the pastor of Scotland AME Zion Church in Potomac, Maryland. He served the Scotland Church for eight years.
In addition to serving as a pastor, Rev. Nelson serves in a number of other capacities, including: Editor within the AME Zion Church Department of Church School Literature, Chief of Protocol for the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District, Chair of the Board of Examiners, Chair of the Board of Lay Activities, and as a member of the Conference Board of Trustees in the Philadelphia and Baltimore Conference. Rev. Nelson is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Reverend Nelson is married to the Reverend Tina Smith Nelson, Esquire, his law school sweetheart. The Nelsons have two young adult sons – Adrian III and Collin, who are both professionals. The Nelsons reside in Rockville, Maryland.
Reverend Nelson’s life scripture is: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)