Reverend Kevin A. O'Bryant has faithfully served as the 5th Pastor of Promised Land Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., since April 2016. His life and ministry are marked by an unwavering commitment to God, servant leadership, and a passion for impacting lives both inside and beyond the walls of the church.

Pastor O'Bryant's journey in ministry began long before he stood behind the sacred desk. As a young boy, he faithfully served at The First Baptist Church of Deanwood as a junior usher, sang in the Joyful Sound Children's Choir, and later became a junior deacon, cultivating a heart for service that would shape his life's work. Gifted musically, he also served as the Senior Staff Percussionist at Mount Ephraim Baptist Church, faithfully using his talents to glorify God through worship.

Ordained as a Deacon in 1992, Pastor O'Bryant's call to preach was recognized and affirmed by his beloved Godfather/Pastor, the late Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Gilmore, Sr., who confirmed his calling to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

sed to preach the Gospel on Sunday, January 19, 1997. After serving faithfully on the Ministerial Staff and in the Music and Security Ministry for many years, the late Dr. Gilmore, Sr. sent Rev. O'Bryant to be catechized by the late Rev. Dr. Charles W. Green, Pastor Emeritus of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Washington, D.C and former president of the Hampton University Ministers' Conference. 

After having satisfied the requirements set forth by Dr. Green, Pastor O’Bryant was subsequently ordained to the Gospel ministry on Saturday, November 3, 2003, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Gilmore, Sr. 

A founding member of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, Pastor O'Bryant faithfully served there for 29 years. He later served as the Youth Pastor before being elevated to Assistant to the Senior Pastor under Rev. Dr. Timothy West at Westphalia Christian Community Church (formerly Westphalia United Methodist Church) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

A visionary leader with a servant’s heart, Pastor O'Bryant has devoted his life to ministry, community service, and public safety. His commitment to serving others extended beyond the sanctuary through a distinguished 38-year career with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Beginning his career as a Police Cadet, he advanced through the ranks, serving as an Officer, Undercover Investigator, and Sergeant while holding key assignments within Narcotics Special Investigations, Vice Enforcement, the Motorcycle Unit, and the Special Operations Division Emergency Response Team (SWAT).

Pastor O'Bryant later served in the Executive Protection Unit within the Office of the Chief of Police, providing protection for multiple Mayoral Administrations and other dignitaries. His leadership responsibilities included supervising the Hostage Negotiation Unit and serving as Second in Command and Training Coordinator for the Executive Protection Unit. His expertise in leadership, security, and training continues to impact others beyond law enforcement. In September 2025, Pastor O'Bryant received an official letter of recognition from the Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics for co-instructing their security detail in Situational Awareness and Advanced Protocol Tactics.

Combining his extensive law enforcement experience with his passion for protecting God's people, Pastor O'Bryant faithfully served as an Armor Bearer to the late Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Gilmore, Sr., and Rev. Dr. Timothy West. He later facilitated a course within the Baptist Educational Congress on Church Security and Armor Bearer responsibilities, equipping churches to establish effective security ministries while facilitating Armor Bearer ministry both locally and abroad.

An anointed preacher and gifted teacher, Pastor O'Bryant is committed to sharing the Gospel wherever God opens a door. His ministry has taken him across the nation and around the world. He made history as the first Baptist preacher from the United States to proclaim the Gospel at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Denmark. He has lectured on Crisis Management and Youth Violence at Harvard Law School, Johns Hopkins University, and American University and has served as a guest panelist at Wesley Theological Seminary on church, community, and police relationships. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Ministers' Conference of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity. He is also the author of The Test, The Trial, The Testimony, a powerful account of his formative years.

  A founding member of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, Pastor O'Bryant faithfully served there for 29 years. He later served as the Youth Pastor before being elevated to Assistant to the Senior Pastor under Rev. Dr. Timothy West at Westphalia Christian Community Church (formerly Westphalia United Methodist Church) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

A visionary leader with a servant’s heart, Pastor O'Bryant has devoted his life to ministry, community service, and public safety. His commitment to serving others extended beyond the sanctuary through a distinguished 38-year career with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Beginning his career as a Police Cadet, he advanced through the ranks, serving as an Officer, Undercover Investigator, and Sergeant while holding key assignments within Narcotics Special Investigations, Vice Enforcement, the Motorcycle Unit, and the Special Operations Division Emergency Response Team (SWAT).

Pastor O'Bryant later served in the Executive Protection Unit within the Office of the Chief of Police, providing protection for multiple Mayoral Administrations and other dignitaries. His leadership responsibilities included supervising the Hostage Negotiation Unit and serving as Second in Command and Training Coordinator for the Executive Protection Unit. His expertise in leadership, security, and training continues to impact others beyond law enforcement. In September 2025, Pastor O'Bryant received an official letter of recognition from the Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics for co-instructing their security detail in Situational Awareness and Advanced Protocol Tactics.

Combining his extensive law enforcement experience with his passion for protecting God's people, Pastor O'Bryant faithfully served as an Armor Bearer to the late Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Gilmore, Sr., and Rev. Dr. Timothy West. He later facilitated a course within the Baptist Educational Congress on Church Security and Armor Bearer responsibilities, equipping churches to establish effective security ministries while facilitating Armor Bearer ministry both locally and abroad.

An anointed preacher and gifted teacher, Pastor O'Bryant is committed to sharing the Gospel wherever God opens a door. His ministry has taken him across the nation and around the world. He made history as the first Baptist preacher from the United States to proclaim the Gospel at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Denmark. He has lectured on Crisis Management and Youth Violence at Harvard Law School, Johns Hopkins University, and American University and has served as a guest panelist at Wesley Theological Seminary on church, community, and police relationships. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Ministers' Conference of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity. He is also the author of The Test, The Trial, The Testimony, a powerful account of his formative years.

 A native Washingtonian, Pastor O'Bryant graduated from H.D. Woodson Senior High School. Prior to graduation, his exceptional musical talent earned him auditions and full scholarship offers from Florida A&M University and Howard University. However, at the age of 17, he answered his childhood dream of serving his community by joining the Washington, D.C.