5 Inspirational Dwight A. Reed Facts You Should Know

You quickly understand that leadership, faith, and service are a way of life when you meet someone like Bishop Dwight A. Reed.  As Christ Apostolic Temple, Inc.'s pastor. In Des Moines, Iowa, Dwight A. Reed is carrying on a tremendous legacy while developing his own legacy of ministry and community impact.

Here are five inspiring facts about his life that will reveal the attitude behind this ministry.

Early Life and Apostolic Roots

Born on August 15, 1958, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Bishop Dwight Reed grew up in a home deeply rooted in faith and service. He is the son of Bishop Jeremiah Reed and Dr. Willie Mae Reed, who are the founders of Christ Apostolic Temple. Their vision and leadership created one of the most respectable apostolic ministries in the Midwest.

Dwight Reed was raised in a home where prayer, ministry, and servant leadership were the order of the day from the very beginning. Sharing the gospel was not only the Reeds’ top priority but also their way of life, which was deeply rooted in God’s love.

2. A Young Calling to the Ministry

Dwight’s ministry call was already foretold when he was very young. During baptism in the Church of Christ at the age of 6, he realized his calling to preach at only 18; he was already exhibiting his great maturity and strong belief in God’s word. 

His commitment to Christ was always coupled with hard work in school, where he graduated in the top 5% of his class and earned his Associate’s degree in Arts in 1984, followed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Theology from J.C. Apostolic Academy in 1998. His faith and education signify a lifelong commitment to the development of Christians and academic discipline, which, at the same time, are empowering new generations of the faithful today.

3. Many Years of Service and Various Roles in Ministry 

Not long after his educational achievements, Bishop Dwight Reed transitioned to a senior leader after nearly two decades of serving in a multi-faceted capacity in the Church. He has been a Sunday School Superintendent, a choir leader, a counselor, as well as a van driver - he seized any opportunity to serve. 

Outside the walls of the church, Pastor Reed’s strong sense of service led him to community outreach, including work in substance-abuse recovery programs and serving as director of the East Side Substance Abuse Center in Des Moines

4. Maintaining the Leadership Legacy of the Family 

Following his father's passing in 2017, Dwight A. Reed was formally appointed pastor of Christ Apostolic Temple. Taking on the role of leader was both an honor and a challenge. The vision his parents established continues to live on through his guidance as he leads the church into a new season. 

Pastor Reed's ministry is framed around three core values: recovery, repair, and restoration. All themes that frame his preaching, leadership style, and outreach efforts. 

5. A Heart of Community Outreach 

Pastor Reed has been a great leader for the church outreach arm, Christ Apostolic Temple Community Outreach Services (CATCOS), which is a light of hope for many in Des Moines. It has provided programs for food distribution, diaper distribution, homeless programs, and provides re-entry assistance for individuals rebuilding their lives. CATCOS serves hundreds of families throughout the year. 

During the year 2022, more than 1,800 bags of diapers were given out by this ministry to the families that were in dire need. No one can argue that the provision of diapers along with other major services has been a very clear and strong showing of compassion! 

Final Thoughts

Pastor Dwight A. Reed, who started his journey in Oklahoma and is now the leader of the Christ Apostolic Temple, exhibits to us the characteristics of faith, purpose, and service at their finest. His narrative is a constant reminder that legacy is not something we inherit from the past—it is something we create daily. 

Pastor Reed, through his preaching, teaching, and community outreach activities, encourages people to rise, serve, and be the change they want to see in their neighborhoods.