CBE 50th Anniversary Gala

The Rev. Amondo M. Damole, is originally from E. St. Louis, IL, which is where his Christian journey began. Later, he left there to attend Illinois State University, where he graduated with a B.S. in History. A couple of years after graduation, he relocated to the Chicago, IL area, and joined Arnett Chapel A.M.E. Church. Since 2012, he has been the pastor of Caison Memorial A.M.E. Church in Markham, IL. He lo also serves as the Church School Superintendent for the South District of the Chicago Conference. He is married to the Rev. Shawnda L. Damole, and has two children. He has a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and is currently working on a Ph.D. at Chicago Theological Seminary, where his program of study is Christian Ethics and Social Justice. The most important thing to know about him is that he loves the Lord and has a great love for all of God’s people.

Rev. Annie Lockhart-Gilroy, PhD is Associate Professor of Christian Education and Practical Theology and Interim Director of the DMin Program at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK. She teaches classes on emancipatory pedagogy, youth ministry, and research methodologies. She is the author of Nurturing the Sanctified Imagination of Urban Youth and co-editor of From Lament to Advocacy: Black Religious Education and Public Theology.

She is also an ordained deacon of the United Methodist Church and has served several congregations focusing on youth ministry and Christian education. She currently serves St. Paul’s UMC in Tulsa, OK. She received her M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and her Ph.D. in Christian Education and Congregational Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Rev. Arionne Yvette Lynch holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development and a minor in Music (voice) from Howard University. Her academic journey led her to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity with a focus on Music Ministry in 2008.

An itinerant elder in the Indiana Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church, Arionne serves as the University Chaplain and Director of the Lantz Center for Christian Vocations at the University of Indianapolis. There she oversees religious life and several grant programs.

Arionne is a published author with two impactful books, “The Women of the Bible and You: A Weekly Devotional” and “Love Like I’ve Never Been Hurt: How To Heal From Heartbreak.” She’s known for her empowering Bible study program, “iSlay: Secrets of the Savvy Successful Women of the Bible,” which she extends to a conference experience for college women.

Recognized for her contributions, Arionne has received accolades including the Black Girls Rock Award and the University of Indianapolis Staff Achievement in Inclusive Excellence. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and enjoys a happy marriage with Mr. Christopher Andre’ Lynch.

The Rev. B. Chris Dorsey currently serves as President and CEO of Disciples Home Missions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Rev. Dorsey is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciple of Christ) and prior to his time at Disciples Home Missions, he served as President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM). He has also served as a Professor of Theology and Preaching at Western Theological Seminary and as the Vice President of Development and Marketing at Chicago Theological Seminary. Rev. Dorsey has also served as Chaplain and Director of Religious Life at Clark Atlantic University, Atlanta, GA and as Senior Pastor at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Chicago. Prior to ministry, he worked in executive sales and database programming in the tech industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, along with a Graduate Certificate from Northwestern University in African Studies.

Rev. Cherlyn Washington Tribble is a native of Chicago and a product of the Chicago Public Schools. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. An ordained elder in the A.M.E. Zion Church, she has served as a pastor, teacher, and musician, holding leadership positions at all levels of the denomination. She has also preached and taught numerous workshops on marriage, worship, and music in other denominations. After a 35-year engineering career, she became a Board-Certified Chaplain. She is employed at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she is Chair-Elect for the Professional Advisory Group for chaplaincy. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She has been married for 40 years to the Rev. Dr. Jeffery L. Tribble, Sr. and they are the proud parents of Jeffery L. Tribble, Jr., J.D. and daughter-in-love, BreAnna Davis Tribble, Ph.D. They are also the proud grandparents of Carter Davis Tribble.

Reverend Christopher Michael Grimes is a native of the greater Detroit Area. He was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system, became an Alum of Eastern Michigan University and now a proud Alum of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Chris currently serves in the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Holy Spirit and the itineracy sent him to serve in a variety of ministerial settings exploring his Call to pastoral ministry. Over the past ten years, Rev. Grimes has served as Lead and/or Associate Pastor in urban, suburban, and rural settings including Detroit: St. Timothy United Methodist Church (now Grace Community Church), and Southfield: Hope United Methodist Church. He loves God and people, and believes the Church, being as diverse as She is, is beautiful, Chris now serves in a cross-racial and cross-cultural appointment at Livonia: Clarenceville United Methodist Church. This church affectionately known as “The Ville” is where he also connects with the local High School as a mentor, basketball coach, and intervention assistant. Rev. Grimes firmly believes the Church is being invited to be love in a world that is very much in need of the love of Jesus Christ.

Daniel A. Wandabula, elected in 2005, is the Resident Bishop of the East Africa Area, which includes the Kenya/Ethiopia, Uganda/South Sudan, Burundi, and Rwanda Provisional conferences.

He was born in Jinja town, Uganda, East Africa. He was raised in a Methodist devoted Christian home. Bishop Wandabula is presently pursuing a Beeson International Leaders Doctor of Ministry Degree Program at Asbury Theological Seminary. He has earned both a Master of Theological Studies degree as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. He was ordained an elder in the Methodist tradition in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1994, by Bishop Zablon Nthamburi.

Daniel has served as: Project manager, Methodist Youth Association (Jinja); Administrative Secretary: Methodist Church in Uganda; Senior Pastor: Bugembe Methodist Church (Jinja); Associate Minister: Ebenezer Africa Methodist Episcopal Church, Evanston, IL; and Dean of District Superintendents and Co-coordinator of Church and Project Development in the United Methodist Church in Uganda and New Sudan. He initiated the organization of Church Healthy Ministries, a faith-based mobile clinic that reaches out to the needy communities and patients with HIV/AIDS. This initiative has encouraged patients to share, and live positively. At the same time it has opened the minds of individuals, families and communities to rally behind HIV/AIDS patients.

Daniel A. Wandabula was elected to the episcopacy on May 27, 2006, at a special session of the East Africa Annual Conference held at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe. He serves that conference, with an office based in Uganda.

Bishop Wandabula is married to Betty Wandabula, and they have two daughters.

Davis inspires people to make changes in themselves, their communities, and circles of influence. He serves as Lead Pastor of CityPoint Community Church, a Chicago, Bronzeville faith community that fuses hip-hop, pop culture, and social justice to present a liberative gospel message. He holds a Master of Arts in Public Ministry degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he studied theologically grounded paths to racial justice and cooperative economics. He also holds a BA in Secondary Education and History from Northeastern Illinois University. He brings to CityPoint the gift of innovation, and an uncanny ability to connect socially conscious Millennials to the gospel of Jesus Christ. A gifted preacher, speaker and lecturer, Demetrius’s sermons have been archived at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and he has been hosted as guest speaker on topics ranging from church innovation to urban education at noteworthy institutions including Princeton Theological Seminary and the University of Notre Dame. He, and spouse, Karla Davis, are also real estate developers and co-hosts of the Young and Debtless Podcast.

Reverend Dr. Diane Angella Bogues is an inspiring and award-winning preacher and presenter. Across the United States, her ministry is characterized by her passion about love, the imago dei, and vocational discernment.

Rev. Dr. Bogues is the Sr. Director of Joint Seminary Enrollment and Financial Aid at the Moravian Seminary and the Lancaster Seminary in Pennsylvania. She motivates and “journeys with” those who are answering their call to ministry in the church, academy, or society through theological education.

In 2006, Rev. Bogues was ordained an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her ministry includes Children, Youth, & Young Adults Pastor and Executive Pastor (Greater Institutional AME Church) and Senior Pastor (Mandel UMC). From enrollment management (G-ETS, CRCDS, McCormick, LTS, MTS) to community consulting to guiding ministers through the ordination process, she is an amazing life-changing agent of love.

Dr. Bogues earned a BA in Psychology (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) and a MDiv (G-ETS). In June 2021, she completed the DMin degree in Transformative Leadership at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Her thesis is entitled “Claiming love of self as an essential aspect of the Love Commands: Creating an ethic of agape love based on the Imago Dei”.

Ten years after graduating from college, Harlene Harden realized her call to ministry. She attended seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1994. She was later ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Harden began her ministry with a two-point charge on the South Side of Chicago. Both congregations were in a season of change and uncertainty. She built meaningful relationships with community families and constantly reminded them that they were not alone, but that God was working with them. She later served as pastor at First UMC in Waukegan, Illinois and became known for her Black history celebration services. She then served St. James UMC in Hyde Park. Rev. Harden went on to become the first Black woman pastor at Sycamore UMC in Sycamore, Illinois. Rev. Harden currently pastors Franklin Park UMC in Franklin Park, Illinois.

In 2009, Rev. Harden created a scholarship in her name at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The Reverend Harlene Harden Endowed Scholarship intends to assist Black and diverse women to pursue their calls ministry. Rev. Harden created the scholarship because she values education and she believes Black women offer a unique expression of leadership in ministry and their communities.

Dr. Johny Bernard Hill is currently the Senior Pastor of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church and founder and president of The World House Forum in Raleigh, North Carolina. At The World House Forum, Dr. Hill is creating a network of activists. Faith leaders, policy makers, and freedom fighters to build on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s vision of the beloved community. Dr. Hill completed his Master of Divinity degree and Master of Theology degree at Duke Divinity School. He went on to complete his PhD in Philosophical Theology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Dr. Hill is passionate about advocating for justice, reconciliation, peace, and human rights in the United States and internationally. Dr. Hill is also the father of two children, Regan and Jonathan.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Reverend Dr. Joseph B. Gordon is a graduate of the University of Michigan, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications and a Master of Divinity from the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree in Prophetic Preaching from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. He currently serves as the pastor of Carter Temple C.M.E. Church in Chicago.

Dr. Gordon is the president of the Carter Temple Community Development Corporation, offering leadership to Gateway 79, a planned mixed-use development housing/retail development, and led in the establishment of Mahalia Jackson Court, a public outdoor plaza. His community, denominational, and ecumenical work includes: board member for Brothers and Sisters United against HIV/AIDS, Budget Director for the Third Episcopal District of the C.M.E. Church, board member for the Storehouse of Hope, aide to Congressman John Conyers, Jr., NAACP community-faith liaison, One Church One School, founding member of the Black Methodist Alliance of Detroit, past president of the Detroit and Chicago District Ministerial Alliances, National Council of Churches, and a member of the Pan-Methodist Commission. He has a great love for the people of God, particularly those who are on the margins of society.

Reverend Karli D. Pidgeon is a United Methodist pastor serving as the District Superintendent for Baton Rouge and New Orleans districts of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. In this role, she supervises and supports 95 churches and pastors. Formerly she served as the Alexandria District Superintendent and prior to that the Associate Director of Congregational Development and Transformation.

Prior to coming to the Conference Office, Rev. Karli served as Pastor of Cornerstone UMC New Orleans, Asbury UMC Natchitoches and Campus Minister of the Wesley Campus Ministry at Northwestern State University. Also prior to moving back to Louisiana, Rev. Karli served as Pastor of Leland and Suydam UMCs of the Northern Illinois Conference.

Karli is a native of Baton Rouge, LA and is a graduate of Spelman College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Science. Karli earned a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Rev. Karli is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.

Karli has a passion for travel, preaching, and mission. Above all, Karli loves God, loves the Church, and is committed to “giving a voice to the voiceless” and reaching those who have been pushed to the margins of society.

Rev. Leah Gunning Francis, Ph.D., joined Indiana University Health as senior vice president and chief mission and values officer in January 2023. As the chief mission and values officer, she oversees the departments of chaplaincy, spiritual care and congregational partnerships, clinical and organizational ethics, system archives and organizational excellence.

Dr. Gunning Francis joined IU Health from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, where she was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty since 2016. Her longstanding commitments to social justice, racial equity, and transformative pedagogy are evidenced in her work as a scholar, public theologian, preacher, lecturer, and author of two widely acclaimed books, Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership (Chalice Press, 2014) and Faith After Ferguson: Resilient Leadership in Pursuit of Racial Justice (Chalice Press, 2021). She has also been featured in the PBS Documentary The Talk: Race in America and in the Tribeca Film Festival feature Ferguson Rises.

Dr. Gunning Francis is a graduate of Hampton University (B.S.), Candler School of Theology, Emory University (M.Div.), and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Ph.D. in Christian Education and Congregational Studies). She was also awarded honorary degrees from Fontbonne University in Missouri and Franklin College in Indiana. She resides in Indianapolis with her husband Rev. Rodney Francis and teenage sons, Evan and Desmond.

Rev. Martha Holmes is a lifelong resident of Evanston, Illinois and she and her family are lifelong members of Behtany Baptist Church of Christ. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management from National Louis University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She currently serves as Associate Minister, Director of evening vacation bible school, and teaches the adult Sunday school class at Bethan Baptist Church of Christ. Rev. Holmes has been married to Deacon Rufus Holmes for forty years. They have two children and one grandchild.

Michael Washington is ordained to word and sacrament with the Evangelical Covenant Church, certified as a chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains, and certified as an educator through ACPE (Association of Clinical Pastoral Education). Michael works as a chaplain and clinical pastoral educator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He served as adjunct faculty for North Park (2013–2019) and Garrett-Evangelical (2008-2017) Theological Seminaries in addition to previously serving full-time in two Chicago churches for 16 years. With formal education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (BS, Psychology), Wheaton College (MA, Theology), and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (MDiv), Michael is a doctoral candidate in Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture at GETS completing his dissertation, “Black and (Im)Patient: A Black Pastoral Theology of Hospitalization and Health.” His research interests are in experiences of black persons in healthcare contexts, transformative learning such as clinical pastoral education, formation for ministry, recovery from trauma, and the impact of hearing, holding, and sharing stories.

Nicholas Grier’s writing, speaking, counseling, and community leadership privileges the experiences of marginalized and oppressed people in society. He is an Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care, & Counseling at Claremont School of Theology, Adjunct Professor of Law at Willamette University College of Law, and a counselor at the Bishop Wellness Center at Willamette University.

Grier is author of the book Care for the Mental and Spiritual Health of Black Men: Hope to Keep Going and numerous other publications. He is the Founder of Coloring Mental Health Collective, LLC.

Grier enjoys nurturing communities of care to promote human flourishing. He works to engage faith communities, clinical counseling practice, academic institutions, organizations, and the public on issues related to justice, liberating faith, community organizing, and emotional well-being. As a professor, Grier works to inspire leaders with tools to nurture care and justice in society.

Nicholas Grier earned a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree from the Schwōb School of Music at Columbus State University, Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University, and a certificate in psychotherapy from The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago.

Reverend P. Devon Brown earned a BA degree from Morehouse College in 1982. He received an MDiv from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1989. Devon served as President for G-EBS and as Director of the National Conference of Black Seminarians. He was Garrett-Evangelical’s first Archibald J. Carey Scholar.

Following graduation from Garrett-Evangelical, Brown was appointed as Associate Pastor for Our Saviour’s UMC in Schaumburg, Illinois. He was presented with the Denman Evangelism Award for his shared role in the growth of that congregation.

In 1992 Brown was appointed to St. Mark UMC in Chicago as Associate Pastor. While there, he served as chairperson for the Northern Illinois Annual Conference (NIC) Commission on Religion and Race. He has since served in a variety of NIC capacities.

In 1995 P. Devon itinerated to Faith UMC in Chicago. Faith completed a much-needed building renovation under his pastorate.

In 2013 Brown was appointed to the historic St. Mark United Methodist Church where he currently serves as lead pastor.

Pastor Brown has served as president of Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal and has chaired its Black Pastor’s Caucus. He remains active in the Southside Chicago community. Patric is married to the former Sharon Ards.

Peggy Gibson serves as a District Superintendent in the Mississippi Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Rev. Gibson received a Doctor of Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2021.

Samuel Green, Jr. is the director of Christian Education for the Seventh Episcopal District and serves as the leader of its programming. Before accepting the role in October 2017, Samuel was a social emotional learning specialist for Umoja Student Development Corporation and was responsible for leading change in Chicago Public Schools to promote postsecondary success. During his tenure in Chicago, he also served as an assistant pastor at St. Stephen AME Church on the westside working to develop the youth ministry, media ministry, and leadership for the church. His career has been diverse and includes organizational strategy and event production. He is a creative at heart and believes that dreams can never be too big.

A native of Orlando, FL, Samuel is a graduate of the University of Florida and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy at Pepperdine University with a focus on global leadership and change. He is an ordained itinerant elder in the AME Church. He is a member of the Order of the Flame (World Methodist Evangelism) and has obtained a certificate from Princeton Theological Seminary in Youth Ministry and Youth Theology. He currently serves as a board member for We are Sharing Hope SC. He is civically involved in his community with active membership of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Inc. His interests and skills include organizational leadership, design thinking, branding, communications, curriculum development, evangelism, travel, and fitness.

Dr. S. Todd Yeary serves as the senior pastor of the Douglas Memorial Community Church, a Covenant Congregation, and is an adjunct professor in the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore. Additionally, Dr. Yeary serves as the chief executive officer of DMCC’s two community development corporations – Douglas Memorial Community Church Village and Camp Farthest Out.

Dr. Yeary holds a bachelor’s degree in management from National-Louis University, a Master of Divinity Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and the Graduate Certificate in African Studies and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in the area of Religion in Society and Personality from Northwestern University.

Dr. Yeary is often called upon to facilitate creative conversations that solve challenging problems, having served on the Governor’s Commission to Reform Maryland’s Pretrial Justice System, as well as speaking in a variety of policy and leadership forums, including providing regular testimony on policy issues before the Congressional Black Caucus and the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Maryland General Assembly, the Faith Leader’s Roundtable at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

A proud native of the southside of Chicago, The Rev. Terrance L. Thomas is an Itinerant Elder with the African Methodist Episcopal Church and currently serves Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Champaign, IL. In addition to serving as a Pastor, Rev. Thomas also the Executive Director of Building Community Life Center (formerly Bridgewater-Sullivan Community Life Center), a faith based non-profit in Champaign IL. Rev. Thomas also is the President of the CU Ministerial Alliance and 20-year member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc where he serves as President of the Epsilon Mu Sigma chapter. A dedicated liberation theologian and unapologetic Black Nationalist, Rev. Thomas received his undergraduate (2007) degree in Inner City Studies with a minor in Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University and a Masters (2017) of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (concentration: African American Church Leadership). Currently Rev. Thomas is pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Pastor Leadership and Community Engagement from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, OH and is a John Lewis Fellow with the Faith and Politics Institute.

Tim Russell currently serves as Vice President of Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Chicago’s PBS station WTTW and classical radio station WFMT. He is responsible for shaping WTTW and WFMT’s vision and strategy with relevant influencers, nonprofits, foundations, and business partners. He ensures that they align with the organization’s strategic plan to increase visibility in, and connection with the community. He focuses on the areas of Early Childhood Education, Access to the Arts, and Society and Culture.

Tim received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and religion from Oberlin College and earned a master’s degree in theological studies with a concentration in Ethics and Society from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He also completed a certificate program in Business Administration at Loyola University Chicago. As an undergraduate, Tim was awarded a Ford-Mellon Research Fellowship and a Ronald E. McNair Research Fellowship. Tim and his wife, Joi-Anissa, and their children Mark and Ava are residents of the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL.

The Reverend TiShaunda McPherson serves bi-vocationally as senior vice president and chief diversity officer at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago and as associate minister at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lisle, Illinois. She is drawn to ministry with youth and young adults and seeks to bring youthful energy and perspective to her preaching and teaching, making the Gospel relevant to the circumstances they face today.

McPherson earned her Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2015. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master of public policy from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and a juris doctor from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. She is an ordained elder in the AME Church. At DuPage AME Church she serves as a youth advocate and mentor. She and her husband Michael have two sons together.

Ornella Umubyeyi currently resides and serves in Charlotte, NC as the director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Leadership at Ripon College, MA in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Garrett ETS, and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral care and Counseling at Gardner-Webb University. She is a published author, ordained minister, and certified Life coach. Her awards and accolades are as follows: She received the “​Peacemaker Award​” by Traprock Peace Center toward realizing peace and justice in the world in 2007; “​Activist of the Month​” nomination by the Teen Voice Magazine in 2009 in Boston; the “Miriam Emerson Peterson Award ” in 2009 for her contribution to the cause of global justice; the​ CYRWA award​ in 2011, from the First Lady of Rwanda, for her work toward orphans and street children; the ​“Myrtle Saylor Speer Award”​ for her contribution to the expansion of the vision of women in ministry and theological scholarships in 2015 from Garrett ETS; and the “​2019 Outstanding Young Alumna Award​” by Ripon College for her leadership, pastoral works, and numerous career achievements in philanthropic efforts in both the United States and globally. 

Rev. Dr. Virgil M. Woods has been the proud husband of Teresa Woods, RN for 28 years. They have two beautiful children, Carissa and Virgil II, both graduates of Iowa State University and they are his proudest accomplishment.

Dr. Woods holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Upper Iowa University.  He also earned a Master of Divinity Degree and a Doctorate of Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

He is the author of five books, “You’re the Pastor, Now What?”, “Think Like a Fish:  Seeing your Church through the Eyes of the Unchurched”, “The 30 Day God Challenge: 30 Days to Spiritual Fitness”, “Ten Tips for a Better Church Website”, and “Do You Have What it Takes? When Success Requires Sacrifice.”

Dr. Woods enjoys being an AME pastor and has been such for over twenty years.  He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of First AME Church in Gary, Indiana.

He also serves his community through his involvement in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

He is the founder of Woods Digital Solutions, a company that offers affordable graphic design and website management options to ministries and organizations that better the community.

He defines himself as a living bridge between church and technology.

Rev. Andrea Clark Horton is an attorney, ordained minister and counselor who is passionate about the holistic well-being of God’s people. Andrea is the Director for the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color with Postpartum Support International, where she works to advance equity in maternal mental healthcare and bring awareness to the needs of communities of color in this area.

Rev. Andrea previously worked as Staff Chaplain for Women’s Health at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago where she cared for the spiritual and emotional needs patients and families experiencing infant and pregnancy loss and women with terminal illnesses. She currently serves as Assistant Pastor for Pastoral Care at CityPoint Community Church in Chicago. Andrea spent the first decade of her post-graduate career as an attorney for the Chicago Board of Education. She is a past recipient of the National Bar Association’s Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Under 40 Award.

Andrea is currently a PhD Student in Religion and Psychology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and is training to become a licensed clinical professional counselor. Andrea received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College, a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is the mother of an amazing 10-year-old son, Grant Clark Horton. Her first book, HERstory, Volume 1: She is Strong was published in 2022.

Dr. Argrow “Kit” Evans-Ford graduated from Garrett with her Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction in 2017. She is a spiritual director and the founder of Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope in Davenport, Iowa and Moline, IL. Argrow’s House is a safe space where free services are offered daily for women healing from violence in the Quad Cities Region. Argrow’s House is also a successful social enterprise where women healing from violence create beautiful bath products that provide a living wage for themselves in a safe space that celebrates who they are.

Additionally, Kit is the founder of Autistic & Loved, LLC. With a team of graphic illustrators and engineers she created food grade silicon pendants called chewelry for children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder. Her pendants are the first invented that celebrate the beauty and diversity of autistic children.

Kit is the author of 101 Testimonies of Hope: Life Stories to Encourage Your Faith In God and A Children’s Book on Bishop Richard Allen: A Nonviolence Journey. Her distinguished awards include the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Public Service Benefitting Local Communities and the Tom Locke Innovative Leader Award. Ford resides in Davenport, Iowa with her husband, Pastor Dwight L. Ford, and children; Imani and Justice.

Rev. Dr. Barbara Annette Fears is Assistant Professor of Religious Education at Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD), where she teaches courses in history, philosophy, and practice of ministry. She identifies as a womanist practical theologian, a critical race theorist (CRT), and a critical pedagogue. Her research focuses on matters of power, privilege and accountability in spiritual formation, praxis of faith and curriculum development. Dr. Fears presents papers at industry meetings and denominational conferences, serves as a peer reviewer for academic publications, and publishes in guild journals. Recent works include book reviews on Black culture and book chapters on black religious education. In 2022, she established her own LLC to assist churches with curriculum development. Dr. Fears has received an HU Provost’s Distinguished Service Award, two HU Junior Faculty Summer Writing and Creative Works Academy Awards, a Wabash Center Research Fellowship and the Adrienne M. and Charles Shelby Rooks Fellowship. She has a Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Philosophy and Preaching Award from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Dr. Fears is a member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and is ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ.

Brandee Jasmine Mimitzraiem (she/her/hers) is a mother, clergy, and scholar. She is an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She holds the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theological Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and the Master of Philosophy from Drew University.

Brandee Jasmine prioritizes well-being within the real-lived experiences of Black Queer women and children. She works to create and sustain safe places across the intersectional realities of race, sexuality, gender expression, and class in the Church and within communities. 

Brandee Jasmine pastored congregations in Utah, Kansas, and Nebraska, serving on police advisory committees and on the board of community organizations including her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. She was the founding president of the Nebraska Religious Council for Reproductive Freedom. She currently serves as spiritual advisor to Lincoln High School’s Pride Club.

Brandee Jasmine is the Purple-Haired Preacher: a loud-mouthed Black girl from Denver who never knows when to shut up. She speaks her mind, her theology, and “what thus sayeth the Lord,” freely and unapologetically. She speaks from the pulpit, through the written word, and through her many tattoos.

She has two donor-conceived children, one service animal, and two dogs. They all keep life full of laughter.

Rev. Dr. Christal L. Bell is a Chaplain, Preacher, Youth Advocate Public Speaker, Christian Educator, and Author. Rev. Dr. Christal currently serves as a Pediatric Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Bell is also the Director of Christian Education for the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. As an Itinerant Elder in the AME tradition for 16 years, she has led international and domestic mission trips for youth. Her passion for teaching and spiritual care carries over in the classroom as an Adjunct Professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. She also currently sits on the Professional Advisory Group for the newly created Clinical Pastoral Education program at the Howard University School of Divinity. Dr. Bell is a partner with the Hospice and Palliative Care Research and Education Committee. In addition, Dr. Christal sits on the National Pediatric Research Committee of the National Pediatric Chaplain Network.

Rev. Dr. Christal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Radio/Tv from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Payne Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. Christal is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; Schaumburg Hoffman Estates Alumnae Chapter. She is the proud daughter of Presiding Elder Larry James Bell & Rev. DaNita Bell, Presiding Elder and District Consultant of the Notable North District of the Michigan Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the proud fiancé of Rev. Christopher Bonner.

Rev. Dr. Curlee L. Adams is a product of the Chicago public school system and the Chicago housing projects.  He is a graduate of Dunbar Vocational High School, holds a BA Degree from Northeastern Illinois University, and a Paralegal Certification from Roosevelt University. In October of 2004, he accepted his call to the ministry at Carter Temple CME Church. He attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where in May of 2009 he earned his Master of Divinity and received his Doctor of Ministry in May of 2019.

In August of 2005, he was ordained Deacon, Local Elder in 2007, Traveling Elder in 2009, and in 2010 he was ordained Elder in full connection.  From August of 2010 – April of 2012, he served as Presiding Elder of the Cleveland/Pittsburgh District and Senior Pastor of Patton Memorial CME Church. In April of 2012, he was assigned to Saint Paul CME Church of Chicago where he serves as Senior Pastor. In 2019, he was appointed as the Presiding Elder of the Great Gary District.

He served as a delegate to the World Methodist Council and received the Outstanding Ministries Award at the 2018 Pastor’s Conference. Rev. Adams received additional training in Clinical Pastoral Education, through Rush University Medical Center, where he completed a yearlong residency.  In November 2022, he became a Board-Certified Chaplain. Rev. Adams is a chaplain for NorthShore University Health Systems.  

Rev. Adams is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. He is married to the former Lisa Johnson. They have five children Brittney, Isaiah, Katia, Kayla and Malachi, and four grandchildren Cameron, Grayson, Layla and Sophia.

Dennis Michael Oglesby Jr. is a 1995 graduate of GETS and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2011. He is an Ordained Elder and member in full connection with the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and currently serves as Pastor of Camphor Memorial UMC in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Oglesby has been in active ministry for 32 years and is an experienced, creative, engaging change agent, pastor, leader, trainer, and planning strategist. He has served as a global and national servant leader in the UMC as a former voting Board Member of the Connectional Table of the United Methodist Church and chairman of Investments for the United Methodist Publishing House Board of Directors. Chairman of the North Central Jurisdiction Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc., Vice President and Board member of BMCR, Inc., and a member of the Black Pastors of United Methodist Churches Convocation.

Oglesby mentors and coaches fellow clergy, individuals, and organizations throughout the Methodist connection. He is married to Greta L. Oglesby, and together, they are the parents of Meghann D. Oglesby and Chase Oglesby and grandparents to Morgan D Oglesby and Roman C Oglesby.

Bishop Donte Hickman earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. He then earned his Master of Divinity Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary three years later. And in May of 2006, he earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. Additionally, Bishop Hickman has studied abroad in South and Southern Africa during the Centennial Celebration of the AME Church; And he earned certification in Clinical Pastoral Education in Atlanta, Georgia. He currently serves at the Pastor at Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Bishop Hickman is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is happily married to the former Miss Danielle Curtis. And they are the proud parents of two children.

Rev. Dr. James D. Foster has walked a path of unwavering faithfulness throughout his diverse and impactful journey, marked by intentional ministry, mentoring, coaching, and dedicated service. Dr. Foster’s voice as a Christ-centered theologian has been a constant source of inspiration. He remains committed to engaging communities with a resolute “lead from the front” approach to church development.

In his first charge as previous Senior Pastor at Historical Payne Chapel A.M.E Church in Chicago Heights, IL, Dr. Foster’s faithfulness was evident. He steered the congregation towards rediscovering their mission and expanded their participation in local mission activities, establishing the church as a historical landmark.

As the Founder and Pastor Emeritus of Destiny Christian Church, Dr. Foster’s faithfulness shines brightly. His Servant-Leader approach has remained unwavering as he guides the congregation to embrace diversity, sacred technology, and passionate fellowship, serving as a Church Beyond Walls for All People.

Dr. Foster’s passion for creating, energizing, and motivating future generations of leadership shines through his previous 18 years of administrative service at Northwestern University and his current role as Director of Operations at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. His faithfulness remains a guiding light in a challenging world.

Rev. Dr. Jon Robinson is an ordained minister with twenty-five years of church and nonprofit leadership experience. Dr. Robinson founded and currently serves as the President and C.E.O. of The Building Up Our Youth Foundation, (www.buoyfoundation.org) a 501 (c) 3 youth services organization that offers educational and leadership development programming for middle and high school youth.

Additionally, Dr. Robinson serves as the Smart Surfaces Program Director with Metropolitan AME Church (www.smartsurfacescoalition.org/) where he works with faith institutions and other community-based organizations to change city and metro-area ecological policy and provide funding for the innovation of place-based climate mitigation strategies.

Dr. Robinson serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact which addresses the cultural and organizational challenges churches and community organizations face in bridging faith with the financial capital necessary to engage in meaningful social impact programs and services.

Dr. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management degree from Benedictine University, and a Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Dr. Robinson has been married to the love of his life Michelle for 20 years and they reside in Northern Virginia.

Rev. Kalif G. Crutcher is the proud pastor of New Hope CME Church, Evanston, IL. During his leadership the church has continued to grow multi-generationally and he has led the church through numerous projects including but not limited to placing a new roof on the church and revamping the church’s A/V ministry. He has received both his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Care & Counseling degrees from G-ETS. He is currently a PhD student in the Leadership Studies program at Gonzaga University. Rev. Crutcher is also a board-certified chaplain. He completed a chaplain residency at Rush University Medical Center. Kalif has been with Advocate Health since 2020 and during this time he has served as a registry chaplain, Trauma chaplain, and Senior Staff Chaplain. Since May 2021 he’s served as the Manager for Mission & Spiritual Care for Sherman, Condell, and Good Shepherd hospitals. He is also the Manager for Chaplain Connect, Advocate’s tele-chaplaincy program for IL & WI.

Rev. Crutcher is the former Health Committee Chair of the Evanston/Northshore NAACP and is a proud member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated.

Kalif served in the Army as a Chaplain Assistant, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 2018. He is married to his beautiful wife Brittney Crutcher and the proud father to Cameron, Layla, Sophia, and dog Leo. Kalif and Brittney have an endowed scholarship supporting Black women seminarians at Garrett with their Rev. Kalif & Mrs. Brittney Crutcher Scholarship established in 2021.

The Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes serves as Senior Pastor of West Point Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmhurst University, a Master of Arts degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary.

As Senior Pastor, Dr. Jakes established the food and clothing pantry, the Domestic Violence and Advocacy Ministry, the development of West Point Village, etc.

Dr. Jakes’ commitment to social justice has led to policymakers seeking his voice on sensible gun laws, same-gender marriage, education funding, etc. He is a working member of the Advisory Board of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office and was appointed by Governor Pritzker as a board director for Chicago Transit Authority, where he serves as Vice-Chairman. Dr. Jakes serves as a trustee for Elmhurst University. He serves as Deputy General and Regional Chaplain for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Dr. Jakes is an inductee into the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Board of International Preachers of Morehouse College. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity, Incorporated, and other civic and religious organizations.

Lisa Lackey is the co-founder of Insideout Living, Inc. She currently serves as a speaker, coach, and consultant. She has two master’s degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and in clinical counseling from National Louis University. Lackey has practiced therapy for over two decades and is working to bridge the gap between the Black community and mental health resources.

Rev. Megan Tobola (née Dean) is an ordained Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church presently serving as Lead Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Naperville, Illinois. The daughter of both a Catholic and a Methodist, she is a “cradle Methodist” that grew up participating in the ministries of the church from an early age on Chicago’s south side.

During her Master of Divinity studies at G-ETS (2012) she served as chair of the Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians, co-convenor of the Beatitudes Society, and Young Adult Seminarian Network representative.

Alongside the blessing of work in the local church and community, Megan enjoys serving in many capacities in ecumenical, interfaith, and interreligious relationships locally, nationally, and globally.

With her beloved Frenchman, Ken, she enjoys the ministries of marriage and parenthood of their precious Linda.

Not simply a preacher and teacher of social holiness, she holds social justice to be critical to Christian witness. Through worship design, preaching, bible study, music, writing, service and mission opportunities, and partnerships, Megan strives to do her small part in helping to build the kin-dom. As she does, she hopes to help Linda find her unique way of doing the same.

Rev. Dr. Neichelle Guidry is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University (2007) and Yale Divinity School (2010). She is also a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (2017). At Garrett, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Liturgical Studies with a concentration in Homiletics. She is the creator of “shepreaches”, a virtual community and professional development organization that uplifts African American millennial women in ministry. “shepreaches” involves theological reflection, fellowship, and liturgical curation.

Rev. Dr. Guidry was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the “12 New Faces of Black Leadership in 2015. She has also been listed as one of “Ten Women of Faith Leading the Charge Ahead” by Sojourners. She is currently the Dean of Sisters Chapel and Director of the Women in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry at Spelman College. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Rev. Pamela Pirtle is an ordained elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is passionate about social justice, education, and inclusion. In addition, she is an accomplished organist and soloist who enjoys using her musical gifts in worship. Pirtle served as the senior pastor for Gorham United Methodist Church, located in Washington Park on the South Side of Chicago before she was appointed the Senior Director of Leadership Development and Accountability for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the UMC. During her time with GCSRW she orchestrated the agency’s inaugural “Women’s Leadership Summit” that was attended by people from all over the U.S. and 13 countries. She created the congregational resource titled “Welcoming A Woman Pastor.” Currently, Pirtle serves as the Executive Administrative Pastor for St. Mark UMC in Chicago. She secured a state grant of 1 million dollars to launch the first Freedom School in Chicago’s Chatham Community. Pirtle is the Executive Director for the St. Mark Freedom School where she plans and oversees the operation of the after school and summer enrichment programs. She is a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (M.Div.), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (M.A.), and National-Louis University (B.A.). Pamela is a member of several civic and community boards and committees with the City of Chicago and the state of Illinois. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She considers parenting her daughter, Jaelyn Alyssa, the greatest accomplishment, and joy of her life.

The Rev. Dr. Patrick L. Daymond serves as Senior Pastor of Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland, IL (CUCC).   His passion is rooted in engaging and empowering all of humanity, locally and globally, through preaching and teaching the life changing Word of God and living out the convincing gospel of Jesus Christ.

A native of Winter Haven, FL, Dr. Daymond graduated from Davidson College with a BA in Political Science.  He holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he garnered honors and distinctions. He also earned his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where his primary research focused on Congregational Leadership.

Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Dr. Daymond also holds ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ.  A sought-after preacher, teacher, revivalist, conference and workshop facilitator, he has been awarded numerous citations for his community and civic activism and involvement.   

Dr. Daymond is the husband of Antonia Michelle Daymond, Ph.D. and they are proud parents of twin sons, Bryce Ellington and Benjamin Miles.

Professor Peter Mageto is the fifth Vice Chancellor of Africa University in Zimbabwe. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Paul’s United Theological College in Kenya as well as a master’s in theological studies and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He has worked in various ministry and university settings and believes in the pursuit of justice and equity. He has also published works in many areas including ethics, theology, education, and reconciliation.

Reverend Shazetta Thompson-Hill is a native of Flint, Michigan. The youngest of five children born to the Reverends Hank and Carmen Thompson, she is married to the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Hill. Together, they are the parents of two sons.

Rev. Thompson-Hill acknowledged the call of God on her life at the age of sixteen. She was licensed to preach at Cane Creek Missionary Baptist Church in 2006. In that same year, after graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications from Lane College she enrolled at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and graduated with the Master of Divinity Degree in 2009. While in Seminary, she became of a member of New Hope CME Church under and remained there until 2010. In 2010, Rev. Thompson-Hill transferred her membership to Carter Memorial CME Church. She was ordained a Traveling Deacon. In 2015, Rev. Thompson-Hill and her husband transferred to the East Texas Annual Conference. She also continues to work alongside her husband Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Hill, in the work at Wesley Chapel CME Church, Greenville, Texas. In addition to the B.A. and MDiv, Rev. Thompson-Hill also holds the Master of Social Work Degree from Loyola University Chicago and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program at the Perkins School of Theology.

Rev. Shonda Gladden is a proud itinerant elder of the AME Church from the Washington Annual Conference. She currently serves as Sr. Associate Pastor at Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has previously pastored numerous congregations in Indiana, Illinois, and Washington D.C. Rev. Gladden is also currently the Indiana Annual Conference Director of Christian Education and the Coordinator of the Indiana Annual Conference Women in Ministry.

Rev. Gladden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Morgan State University and a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. She is also an American Studies PhD candidate in the Cultural Ecologies Track at Indian University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Her work explores representations of identity and the framing of movements as cultural productions that inform Blackness within the colonial project of the Americas. She is also the proud mother of one child.

Rev. Dr. Tiggs E. Washington was born in Buffalo, New York. His parents are Moody and Maryetta Pugh, and he is the youngest child out of five. Rev. Washington is married to Mrs. Gabrielle Allen-Washington. Rev. Washington is the father of one daughter, Trinity Washington. Rev. Washington was educated in the Buffalo Public School System. In 2012, Rev. Washington earned a Bachelor of Science from Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. In May 2015, Rev. Washington graduated with his Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. In June 2019, Rev. Washington graduated with his Doctor of Ministry degree from South University. Rev. Washington released his first publication entitled, Sermons for the Journey: A Collection of Sermons for the Liturgical Year in May 2018, and is featured in other sermonic books. Rev. Washington served seven years as the pastor of Williams Temple C.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, PA. Rev. Washington serves as the Presiding Elder of the Milwaukee District of CME Church, where he currently oversees churches in the states of Wisconsin & Illinois. Rev. Washington is the youngest Presiding Elder in the CME Church. In addition to being Presiding Elder, Rev. Washington was appointed to Bray Temple CME Church in Chicago, IL. Rev. Washington is also a Hospice Chaplain. Rev. Washington is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 

Tina Shelton is a local licensed pastor at South Elgin Community United Methodist Church on the Elder Ordination track in the Northern Illinois Conference. She also works as the Registrar for Chicago Theological Seminary. In 2024 Tina will serve as a small group leader for the Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation program under The Center for Prophetic Imagination run by Daniel Wolpert.

Tina has a debut novel coming out on March 19, 2024, entitled, This Ain’t No Promised Land with Kregel Publishers. Her second novel is due to be published in July 2025.

She holds an MDiv (2015), MSF (2017), and DMin (2022) from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Pastor – Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

President/CEO – Quinn Community Services Alliance of Chicago

Board Member – The Renaissance Collaborative/Historic Southside YMCA

Gubernatorial Appointee – Illinois Review Board for Police Certification

Rev. Troy K. Venning, MDiv, MBA is the Sr. Pastor of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The first African American congregation established in the city of Chicago. Raised on the Southside of Chicago, Pastor Troy considers it a tremendous blessing to lead the church that he grew up in.

Under Pastor Troy’s innovative and outside of the box ministry model, Quinn Chapel is currently undergoing a spiritual and physical restoration. While adding new members and an increased focus on spiritual disciplines, in September of 2023, Quinn Chapel received a 5-million-dollar grant that will completely restore Quinn’s historic edifice and allow this congregation to build a museum dedicated to the Underground Rail and Great Migration, ensuring that these important stories will be shared for generations to come. Additionally, in the summer of 2023, Quinn also completed the installation of a $650,000 HVAC system allowing for controlled temperatures that will support summer programming of all kinds.

Prior to serving in his present role, Pastor Troy came to Quinn in October 2019 to serve as the Executive Pastor. Pastor Troy is well prepared having served in Florida as Senior Pastor at Greater New Mount Zion AME (Homestead, FL), Macedonia AME (Boca Raton, FL), Bethel AME (Moore Haven, FL), and Allen Chapel (Key Largo, FL). Pastor Troy has earned degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, The University of Phoenix-Fort Lauderdale Campus, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

Pastor Troy is wonderfully married to Lady Sheryll Brown-Venning and proud father of Alexis (Bentley and Halo), and Jayla. Angel father to Alia, and Taylor.

The work of finding God is especially difficult in a world that appears God-less, where people of color routinely experience systemic oppression and struggle to find peace. Pastor Troy is committed to living out the work of Christ, calling out and fighting injustice whenever it rears its ugly head. Simply put, love remains what the world needs.

Rev. Yvonne D. Hawkins understands her vocation as someone who accompanies people toward healing, liberation, and wholeness. She is a pastoral counselor, emerging womanist pastoral theologian, certified professional coach, and ordained clergywoman. Currently, she works as an acquisitions editor at Fortress Press.

Her first vocational formation was as a journalist. Rev. Hawkins now uses the tools of narrative and storytelling to help people identify distorted, internalized stories about themselves and re-author truer, healing stories. Her doctoral research explores a congregation’s experience with a racial trauma-informed practice of the Holy Communion as a group-based, narrative intervention for race-based stress and trauma.

Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Northwestern University, Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and master of pastoral counseling from Loyola University Chicago. Currently, she’s completing a PhD from Garrett-Evangelical in pastoral theology, personality, and culture.

Yvonne has served Garrett’s community as a Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians officer, chapel coordinator, Student Council PhD representative, student Board of Trustees member, Student Council co-chair, and 2020 presidential search committee member. She is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, who now lives in Chicago. She volunteers for the national organization Outdoor Afro and counseling ministry at Trinity United Church of Christ.