Reverend Dr. Alphonse Reff began his work in the ministry in 1962. On July 1, 1988, Reverend Alphonse Reff, Sr. became Reverend Dr. Alphonse Reff, Sr. after receiving his Doctorate of Divinity from Monrovia College, Sims School of Religion and Industrial Training, Inc. Monrovia, Liberia West Africa by Presiding Bishop Byrd. He has served as Pastor of Wayman AME Church for 24 years. Elder Reff has participated on the Board of Examiners for the St. Paul Milwaukee District and Chicago Conferences, as well as preformed the duties as Secretary of the St. Paul Milwaukee District. Reverend Dr. Reff has always been an advocate for social concerns for people. Part of trying to address some of the needs in the community led Dr. Reff to become an integral figure in the collaboration between Harvest Preparatory School (a Minneapolis Charter School) and Wayman AME Church - a first in the city of Minneapolis. He has served in leadership roles in both the Duluth and Twin City areas. He taught a class on the Psychology of Religion at Superior State University, served as Vice President of the NAACP, was part of the Arrowhead Council of Churches, the Doric Lodge in Duluth, and Ministerial Alliances of Duluth and Minneapolis. His education includes an Associate Degree from Union Baptist Theological Seminary, Associate Certificates in Psychology from the University of Minnesota - Duluth; Preaching from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL; and Counseling from Superior State University, Wisconsin. In October 2006, Presiding Elder Reff founded "In the Beginning Bible Study". On October 21, 2007, at the 125th Annual Conference this new work was accepted into the conference and placed in the hands of the Presiding Elder. "Lily of the Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church" now holds evening worship services in Apple Valley MN at Christus Victor Luthern Church at 5pm. |
