EVENTS:

The Rev. Leslie D. Callahan Ph.D. is the fifth pastor of the St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. Having earned degrees from Harvard University, Union Theological Seminary, and Princeton University, before her call to St. Paul’s, Pastor Callahan taught African American religious history at the University of Pennsylvania and New York Theological Seminary. Her chief joy is being the proud parent of 9-year-old Annabelle.

 

Cultural Competency Bible Study Leader: Rev. Dr. Kadia Edwards
Rev. Dr. Kadia Edwards, a native of St. Catherine, Jamaica, answered her call to ministry in 2002 while serving as a Chapel Assistant at Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of Duke University, where she received her Master of Divinity. Prior to her enrollment at Duke, in May of 2005, Kadia graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. Kadia recently graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. Her DMin concentration in Theology, Ethics, and Narratives informs her multivalent methodological approach to racial healing. 
     Dr. Edwards is licensed and ordained to public ministry in the American Baptist Churches denomination.  She is a diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner which allows her to travel the country facilitating trainings and workshops relating to storytelling, peacebuilding, and racial healing. 


 
Sunday Morning Worship Preacher: Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover
As a dynamic preacher of deep conviction, Rev Dr. Bernadette Glover is considered a "gem" in the Gospel Ministry. Dr. Glover is the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, Montclair, New Jersey. Prior to assuming the role of Senior Pastor, Dr. Glover was Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. She also served as Executive Pastor at The Cathedral International Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Dr. Glover holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary, where she studied as a Jeremiah Wright, Molefi Asante, Cornel West Fellow, an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Eastern University, graduate of Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary, and has earned a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Grace Institute.
     In addition to preaching and teaching, Dr. Glover also takes delight in creating both prose and music. Whispers Overheard, one of her published pieces, has been adapted into a play of the same title. A selection of her compositions has been published under the title Grateful Praise.
     Dr. Glover is not only a God-directed Pastor: she is gifted as a discerning and articulate interpreter of church and social issues. She has mobilized the faith community as she champions justice for all as evidenced in "Operation Just Hope" and "Village Talk." She is passionate about ministry. Convinced and committed to the Gospel's transforming power, this third-generation minister's motto is: "I am in the business of putting myself out of business." To God be the Glory!


Shileah Huggins
Shileah Huggins is currently the Convenor of the National Leadership Team of AB GIRLS (NLT). She is active at her church doing projects, being an usher, and helping out with the Baptist Cafe, which provides meals for those in need. Shileah is currently a junior in high school and plans to go to a four-year university majoring in different paths such as psychology, marketing, and fashion. In school, she is in several clubs such as Social Justice which she advocates for, Academic League, College Bound, and many others. She is also proudly in the National Honor Society for almost two years. 



Human Trafficking Workshop Co-leader: Kate Lee
Kate Lee is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. She has a BA in Politics from the University of Warwick in the UK, and spent most of her working career as a BBC Radio News and Current Affairs Producer in London. Kate relocated to Tokyo, where she worked for NHK - Japanese public radio and television, and then moved to the US. She has served as the chair of the New Jersey Junior Leagues’ State Public Affairs Committee and was the President of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills during its Centennial year in 2013. Kate was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Council Against Sexual Violence in 2009 and served as its co-chair from 2013-2018. Kate is married with three sons in college.
 
 
Real Acceptance Panelist: Rev. Dr. Charlotte Myers
Rev. Dr. Charlotte W. Myers is an ordained American Baptist Churches minister with extensive pastoral, certified clinical pastoral counseling, governance of women's ministries, and church administrative management experience and newsletter editor experience. She has a heart of compassion for pastoral and hospice chaplaincy ministry. Her best skills are for ministry management. She is currently employed as a Spiritual Support Clinical Chaplain for By the Bay Health Hospice. While serving as Church Women United State Unit President and Church Women United, Inc. National Chair of Communications as Editor of CWU ChurchWoman News. She serves on the Steering Committee for American Baptist Churches Ministers Council of Northern California and publishes the weekly newsletter "Items of Interests."
Charlotte has been Coordinator of Events for American Baptist Women's Ministries of the West, Allen Temple BC Director of Operations, and Director of Grief Support Ministries. Her ministry includes being Church Women United President of Northern California/Northern Nevada State Unit, President of American Baptist Women East Bay Area, and ABWM of the Western Region Coordinator of Personal Development and Leadership. She served ABC Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church for eleven years as Minister of Christian Education. In addition, Charlotte is a Certified Pastoral Counselor for clinical grief recovery and hospice ministries.
 

AB GIRLS Bible Study Leader: Dana Seville
Dana Seville is a Brooklyn native and a member of the Berean Baptist Church, where Dana is a role model and leader amongst her peers who unapologetically loves Christ. Dana is currently a sophomore at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts as a Sociology Major, where she is a part of Daughters of Zion (an organization that seeks to gain more souls for Christ among people of color on campus) and Mount Holyoke African Caribbean Association (an organization that fosters community among the Caribbean and African students on campus). Dana served on the National Leadership Team (2019-2020) and currently serves on the American Baptist Women Ministries Young Adult Women in Ministry Advisory Team. Dana, in her spare time, enjoys spending time with family & friends, dancing, and trying new foods. 

 

Workshop Leader: Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain
Reverend Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain is the executive director for American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABWM) and is a member of the National Executive Council for American Baptist Churches, USA.
Rev. Dr. Gina served as the Transitional Pastor for First Baptist Church of New Market in Piscataway, New Jersey; Interim Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Associate Regional Pastor for Women in Ministry for American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ); and is an Associate Minister of Christian Education at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey.
As a teacher, Gina especially enjoys facilitating and inspiring Christian educators to share the Word of God in collaborative and interactive studies, helping teachers and students discover the immediate application of God's word to their everyday lives. She contributed to the "Testify: ABC-NJ Devotional" book released in 2015. In 2016 she co-launched the Christian Education Workshop Series, "Leading Interactive and Engaging Bible Studies (L.I.B.S. TM)" at the ABCNJ annual Church Officers and Leaders Conference (COAL), and in 2017 created a conversation series, "The Intersection of Leadership and Healing."
Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain earned a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University and graduated from Drew University's Theological School Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree. She also received the Old Testament Studies Scholar Award from the Biblical Studies Department. In 2015 she received a Certificate of Excellence from Palmer Theological Seminary & ABC-NJ Academy and graduated from the Nehemiah-Leadership Program in 2017. In May 2020, she earned a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University.
 

Skin Care Presenter (for AB GIRLS): Joyce Moon of Defined Natural
Joyce R. Moon is a successful MOMprenuer, beauty brand creator, strategic thinker, marketing lover, AAAI/ISMA Certified Personal Trainer, and Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach. In 2014, Joyce joined the beauty industry as a novice when life's adversities came her way that forced her to gain a more intimate relationship with beauty care. Joyce's daughters' both suffered from skin and scalp issues that caused me to research the root cause of their problematic skin in which she discovered ingredients to provide a remedy for each of their irritants. In response to her findings, she became a leader in the natural beauty making industry, launching her beauty brand, Defined Naturals beauty products. Defined Naturals products included items to help fight problematic skin, such as theirs, named Double Combat Eczema Relief Cream and Honey Dew Salve. When Joyce navigated through the root causes of skin ailments, she became aware of the importance of teaching and educating others on proper skincare and sharing easy ways to manage skin effectively. As a result, Joyce has not only fallen in love with all things natural, but she has also fallen in love with sharing what it takes to use what resources you have to reach your goals.


Bible Study Leader: Jackie Murphy
Jackie Murphy is American Baptist Women's Ministries Intern for Summer 2022. She is a New Mexico native and a Baylor University graduate. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary with an emphasis on Practical Theology and is interested in ministry run by and for women. For the last four years, Jackie worked in a large Christian nonprofit theatre creating shows for the community and teaching acting classes for children and youth. She also worked in a church-based ministry for college-aged individuals that built a community of discipleship and support. She loves to walk in nature, listen to musicals, and try new recipes in her free time!
 
 
Saturday Evening Plenary Session Preacher: Rev. Marsha Scipio
Born in Trinidad & Tobago and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Rev. Marsha Scipio is the Director of Baptist World Aid for the Baptist World Alliance, where she has the privilege of impacting the lives of the world's most vulnerable populations. She also serves as an Associate Minister at the historic Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr.  A Youth Pastor, Rev. Marsha is passionate about teaching and preaching God's Word. She is the Convener of Women Who Minister, a conference to empower women to serve in the ministry and marketplace. Rev. Marsha has served as the Associate General Secretary for Missional Initiatives and Partnerships for American Baptist Churches USA and the Board of American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan, NY. She has studied and engaged in ministry in Liberia, South Africa, India, Israel and Palestine territories, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Myanmar. The former Executive Director of the Berean Community & Family Life Center, Rev. Marsha has a demonstrated commitment to public service and social justice, having spent twenty-plus years in non-profit management and youth development. Rev. Marsha earned her M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is an alumna of Georgetown University Law Center (JD), New York University (MA in Psychology), and Yale University (BA in Psychology & African-American Studies). She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and eating good food! Quoting her favorite poet, Maya Angelou, she says, "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now!" Gratefully adding, "God's got this!"
 

Workshop Leader: Rev. Dr. Christine Smith
Rev. Christine A. Smith is the national president of American Baptist Women's Ministries and the senior pastor of Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, Inc. in Euclid, Ohio. She is the founder of "Women Together in Ministry of Greater Cleveland" and author of a weekly blog, "Shepastor," dedicated to equipping and encouraging female clergy. In addition to her service as pastor of a local congregation, Rev. Smith is engaged in community service and outreach through work with local clergy groups, hospitals, and educational institutions. 
Her first book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors, was published by Judson Press in 2013. In addition, Rev. Smith has authored articles and chapters in various books, covering topics on pastoral care, inter-culturalism, and diversity. Since 2012, Rev. Smith has served as adjunct faculty for Ashland Theological Seminary. In 2011-2013, Rev. Dr. Smith served as "Executive Leader/Acting Administrator" of the Cleveland Baptist Association (American Baptist Churches, USA), laying the groundwork for the Association to call its first female executive minister.
Since 1993, Rev. Smith has been engaged locally with American Baptist Women's Ministries of Greater Cleveland. She has served as a workshop leader, keynote speaker, Bible study leader, and host for AB Women annual days and retreats. Most recently, Rev. Smith served on the ABWM national nominating committee (2018) and as the Ohio facilitator for the AB Girls STEAM program, "Building Bridges and Gateways to Girls Future," (2019).
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from the University of Akron, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse School of Religion, and her Ph.D. in Human Services: Non-Profit Management and Leadership from Capella University.
 
 
Real Acceptance Panelist: Rev. Beatrix Weil
Rev. Beatrix Weil currently serves as the Chaplain of Rhodes College and Parish Associate of Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN. She grew up on Long Island in New York but has lived in the south for five years. She attended the University of Notre Dame, where she majored in Management Consulting and Psychology. After graduation, she attended Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and a Certificate in Theology, Women, and Gender in 2017. She was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in July of the same year. Chaplain Beatrix has served at a hospital, a high school, religious organizations of various denominations, and three colleges. In addition, she enjoys swimming and playing basketball.