Pastor Melvin was born in Mount Olive North Carolina, where he attended Hills Chapel Church of God in Christ. He relocated to Washington, D.C. area and attended Oxon Hill High School in 1979. He distinguished himself as a middle linebacker, living up to his nickname " Hard Rock". Following graduation, he attended the University of the District of Columbia on a football scholarship, majoring in Business Management. In 1985 the Lord led him to Walker Memorial Baptist Church, in Washington, DC, where he gave his life to Christ. Rev. Melvin served as a youth Sunday School teacher. It was during this time that he received his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1993, Rev. Max was licensed and ordained at St. James Baptist Church.
Following his marriage to the former Sheila Lewis, they began to serve at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Fort Washington, Maryland. Under the leadership and divine guidance from the Holy Spirit, Rev. Melvin taught Sunday School classes for teenagers and adults, and preached semi-monthly sermons to the church school. Under God's Guidance, Reverend Melvin, had a profound impact on the youth, bringing many of them to Christ and ultimately changing their lives. During his time with Ebenezer, he also provided a range of services from funerals to weddings, to blessings of homes and schools.
His profound spirit filled ministry provided hope for the hopeless, faith to the faithless and unquestionable belief that God is the same today, yesterday and forevermore. Rev. Max also ministered to men in the Block Bridge Correctional Center. His spirit filled messages, diligence and love for mankind brought many men to Christ.
Rev. Melvin received his Masters of Divinity from Washington Saturday College at Howard University in 1996.
In October of 2000 he founded New Beginning Christian Center in Springdale, MD. From the humble beginnings in a recreation center, the Lord has blessed New Beginning Christian Center to a home in Waldorf, Maryland.
Rev. Max and First Lady Shelia are the proud parents of first daughter Shannon. But above all, Rev. Melvin is saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, fire baptisted and he is running for his life.