St. John’s Episcopal Church/Zion Parish Celebrates 10 Years of Leadership Under The Reverend Joseph M. Constant

The Reverend Joseph M. Constant celebrated 10 years as the Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Beltsville.

On Sunday, October 19, 2025, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Beltsville, gathered in joyful celebration to honor the 10th anniversary of their beloved rector, The Reverend Joseph M. Constant. Installed on October 17, 2015, Reverend Constant has spent a decade guiding the historic church with wisdom, compassion, and a deep commitment to both spiritual growth and community service. His leadership has provided renewed energy and vision to this legacy, enriching the lives of parishioners and extending the church’s impact far beyond its walls.

Since 1811, St. John’s has been a cornerstone of the Beltsville community. With over two centuries of history, the church remains a thriving institution, serving as a place of worship, fellowship, and outreach. St. John’s is deeply committed to the Beltsville community—supporting the Prince George’s County Transitional Housing Program; participating in the SHARE Food Program; assisting Community Crisis Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization that manages the Warm Nights program in Calverton; serving as a Safe Haven host; and offering space for community events, including Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

St. John’s has also supported local schools such as Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Beltsville Academy by donating school uniforms and food. The church is actively engaged in community fellowship, hosting family game nights, concerts, and various community events, including Easter egg hunts and Halloween Trunk-or-Treat celebrations. In addition, the church has embraced its rich diversity by hosting annual Independence Day “Services of Nations” for the countries represented within the congregation. Nations celebrated have included Nigeria, Haiti, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and others—each celebration a vibrant testament to the church’s inclusive spirit and global awareness.

A native of Haiti, Reverend Constant was ordained a Deacon in 2003 and a Priest in 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Northeastern University and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. His ministry has included service as Assistant Rector at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., and as Assistant to the Dean for Admissions and Community Life at Virginia Theological Seminary, where he also founded the Office of Racial and Ethnic Ministries.

In response to the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Reverend Constant served as Special Coordinator for Haiti under the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the Episcopal Church in the United States and helped lead rebuilding efforts across the Diocese of Haiti. The creation of the Haiti Micah Project further demonstrates his dedication to humanitarian service. This nonprofit organization provides daily meals, health care, and education to more than 450 at-risk children in Mirebalais, Haiti.

Reverend Constant is also the author of No Turning Back: The Black Presence at Virginia Theological Seminary and has written scholarly works on theologian James Cone.

As St. John’s celebrated this milestone, the congregation reflected with gratitude on Reverend Constant’s decade of faithful service. His leadership has not only strengthened the church’s spiritual foundation but also deepened its commitment to justice, inclusion, and global outreach.