Rev. Ashley B. Hoover was raised in Hughes Memorial UMC in Washington, DC and in June 2001, answered God’s call to ministry under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Dr. Benjamin Kevin Smalls.  Rev. Hoover prior to answering his call, served as Lay Leader, Trustee Chair, usher, choir member and acolyte at Hughes Memorial UMC during his over forty-year membership.  

Rev. Hoover served four years as Youth and Young Adult Pastor and ultimately joined Westphalia United Methodist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Dr. Timothy West in February 2011.  

On July 1, 2011, Rev. Hoover received his first pastoral appointment to serve Cherry Hill UMC in Baltimore, Maryland.  Rev. Hoover sought to grow the faith of the congregation and community for the transformation of the world.  Under his leadership, the Feeding Ministry (Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry and Monthly Food Distribution), Combined Choir and the Young Adult Ministry were birthed to strengthen the ties between community and the congregation.  Alternative ways of worship using the arts (spoken word, dance, skits and altar visuals) were a strong part of Rev. Hoover’s ministry at Cherry Hill UMC.  

In addition, Rev. Hoover is an active member of the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association (Washington, DC Chapter) and a Life Member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (the Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Largo, MD).   He sings with HIS 4, a male quartet, is an amateur genealogist, and loves to preach, teach and travel.     

Rev. Hoover is a 1986 graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University (1991), an MBA from Brenau University (1995), and a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary (2008), and is a current doctoral candidate (Doctor of Ministry) at Wesley Theological Seminary finishing his thesis study in Howard Thurman.  

At the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference in May 2019, Rev. Hoover was commissioned as a Provisional Elder in the United Methodist Church.   In 2023, Rev. Hoover celebrated thirty-five years of federal government civilian service as a Project Manager for the Department of Navy.  He is the oldest of two sons (Wesley) born to Gwendolyn Hoover and the late Lloyd W. Hoover, both D.C. Public School educators.  Rev. Hoover is married to the beautiful and talented dancer, teacher, and preacher, Dr. Josie Hoover and they reside in Washington, DC.  

Rev. Hoover began in 2019 as Pastor of Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant UMC and continues to serve the congregation, the local community and the Lord God with gladness.   Rev. Hoover’s guiding scripture in ministry and life, Romans 8:28 “We know that all things work together for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

Church Office: 301-309-0464

Email: jmp1umc@aol.com

Office Hours: By appointment only