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Special Guests
Be inspired by the powerful ministry of our anointed guest speakers and artists.
Be inspired by the powerful ministry of our anointed guest speakers and artists.
Trauma therapist and life coach, Dr. Anita Phillips, is an expert at unraveling the human experience. Known for her paradigm-shifting insights at the intersection of mental health, spirituality and culture, her work is guided by one simple idea: most things that seem complicated are actually just hard. From overthrowing anxiety to reimagining the path to equity, Dr. Phillips helps people, groups and organizations accomplish hard things.
Sarah Jakes Roberts is redefining what it means to be a modern woman of faith. Her messages spread throughout the world defying cultural, religious, gender and socio-economic boundaries. Whether through her bestselling books or viral messages, it only takes a few minutes of connecting with her to understand why she becomes an instant favorite. Sarah has a unique way of reaching people who are seeking to make peace with their past, maximize their present and deepen their relationship with God.
Alongside her husband, Touré Roberts, she co-pastors The Potter’s House at One LA and The Potter’s House Denver. With her down to earth personality, contemporary style and revelatory messages, there’s no question why she is an emerging thought leader for this generation, yet her growing influence came by surprise.
“If you would have told me five years ago that I would be in full-time ministry, I would have asked if you were talking to the right person,” Sarah said.
At twenty-three years old she was tempted to allow her journey as a woman battling insecurities, teen pregnancy stigma, low self-esteem, toxic relationships, and depression to define the rest of her life. It wasn’t until she was in her darkest moment that she realized she only had two options: settle or evolve. Sarah dared to harness the wisdom of her past wounds and apply them to the hope for her future.
The process of transforming from the insecure and fearful young girl that she was into the powerhouse wife, mother, businesswoman and leader that she’s become took dedication, discipline, resources and spiritual growth. Her passion is to utilize her experiences, insight and influence to help every soul she encounters to evolve into the best version of themselves.
In 2017, Sarah launched Woman Evolve a ministry that focuses on incubating every woman to her fullness. Since its conception, Woman Evolve has been successful at reaching and guiding thousands of women to awaken healing, wholeness, and love for themselves and others.
Sarah has received many honors, including recently being celebrated as a National Overcomer by Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities in partnership with “Good Morning America” co-host, Robin Roberts. Sarah has also been featured in numerous media outlets including “The Today Show,” “Dr. Phil,” Essence, The Associated Press, and “The 700 Club.” A naturally gifted scholar, Sarah graduated high school in the top 10 percent of her class and in the nation at the age of 16 and attended Texas Christian University, where she studied journalism.
Of all her accomplishments Sarah is most proud of the life she and her husband, Touré, have built together. Together they have six beautiful children and split their time between Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO.
Gaye Arbuckle, a national gospel recording artist hailing from Dallas, Tx., radiates the heart of a worshiper. From the soul of a woman in love with God, Gaye declares the message of God. Not only is she a talented musician and choir director, but she has been endowed with a gift to pen songs that come from the heart of God.
For the last 15 years, Gaye has served as the minister of music at Concord Church in Dallas, Tx., where she leads praise and worship on any given Sunday. Gaye was presented to gospel music in New Orleans at a very young age by the late Reverend James Cleveland and the founder and president of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Since that time, she has been a featured soloist on two GMWA albums and the Mississippi Mass Choir album with the late Reverend James Moore. Gaye has also been featured on projects with Pastor Clay Evans, Westside Baptist Church and Anthony Brown & group therAPy.
She’s sung with and opened for artists such as Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Kelly Price and Stephen Hurd.
In 2011, Gaye received two Stellar Award nominations for Praise and Worship Album of the Year and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year. She was also nominated for Songwriter of the Year and earned the Second Place title for Female Vocalist of the Year on Bobby Jones Gospel.
Gaye received her minister’s license in 2018 and was featured on her church’s album, “Not Guilty” released in June 2019.
Gaye is the proud mother of two adult children.
Kirk Franklin wants everyone to know one thing. He’s never going to stop pushing the envelope.
Franklin’s latest musical offering—and 13th studio album—is the aptly titled “Long Live Love” from his RCA-distributed label, Fo Yo Soul Recordings. But even before the album’s release, its first single laid down some serious groundwork.
“Love Theory” bowed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and has kept the position on lock for thirty-nine weeks. The vibrant track marked the singer’s record-extending seventh No. 1, and his second start atop the chart. With 1 million U.S. streams in its first week per Nielsen Music, “Love Theory” also opened at No. 1 on Gospel Streaming Songs as well as Gospel Digital Song Sales. Its colorful and energetic video has accumulated over 17.3 million YouTube views and counting. The album “Long Live Love” and single “Love Theory” won two Grammys in January 2020. Franklin says, “It’s my constant story about this message of love, the love of God, and me trying to play my role in that conversation.”
“We’re living in an era where so many things compete for the attention of our hearts,” says Franklin. “They don’t all have to be bad, but these things can become what matters to us more than they’re supposed to. “Idols” and every song on the album just bubbled up and out—a tapestry of what I believe, how I feel, what I want, and my struggles. It’s the good, the bad, and the ugly,” says Franklin.
After culling through 50 to 60 song ideas, Franklin began collaborating with his fraternity of co-producers, Ron Hill, Shaun Martin, Max Stark and S1. His last album, 2015’s “Losing My Religion,” won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album in 2017. It boasted guest turns by gospel and R&B artists including Kim Burrell, Lalah Hathaway, Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Mann. Franklin opted to let the music—a flavorful mélange of gospel, R&B, hip-hop and other influences—play the feature role on “Long Live Love.”
Celebrating his 26th career anniversary this year, the winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, an NAACP Image Award and 16 Dove Awards is also busy pushing the envelope in other endeavors. Franklin brought his total Grammy tally to 16 Grammys at the 62nd annual ceremony this year.
In 2020, Franklin has his eyes set on another successful Exodus Music & Arts Festival, fantastic additions to the Kirk Franklin Praise channel on SiriusXM and starting production on his bio-pic.
“You already know what I’m going to say,” Franklin answers with a hearty laugh when asked about the secret behind his career longevity and indefatigable drive to keep pushing. “It’s because of somebody bigger than me and you. I’m the most non-perfect person in the world.
But having an opportunity to be here still and communicate this faith that I believe in … I don’t know what else I could ask for.”
Joann Rosario Condrey was first introduced to gospel audiences by Fred Hammond with her debut album “More More More.” Since then, Joann has become a wife, mother, international bilingual worship leader and pastor. Joann pastors RainFire Church in Douglasville, Ga. with her husband, Cory “Coco Brother” Condrey, and is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus. It is their vision to impact this generation and encourage people to experience God in a life-changing way.
Pastor Joann would love to connect with you on her social media platforms to keep you encouraged daily in your walk!
Chrystal Evans Hurst is an encourager who teaches people to love God, love others, and love themselves. Chrystal is a wife, mother of five and grandmother of three. She is also a speaker and the best-selling author of “She’s Still There,” “Kingdom Woman,” and the newly released, “The 28-Day Prayer Journey.”
Chrystal is an energetic, life-loving “girl-next-door” who loves encouraging others to fulfill their potential in Christ. With humor and vulnerability, Chrystal tells it like it is but does so with grace, integrity and love. You can find Chrystal regularly sharing encouragement via her podcasts and blogs, where she poignantly reflects on faith and speaks with frank honesty about the everyday experiences of women. Chrystal firmly believes God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you…” and she desires to help other women believe and apply that truth to their lives.
Reverend Debora Barr is an associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. She serves as the director of the All Things New Ministry, where she helps people who experience same-sex attraction and sexual brokenness to understand the causes and healing of same-sex attraction by searching the Word of God. This ministry was born from Debora’s transition out of nearly two decades of homosexuality, through the love and support of a women’s Bible study group and the leadership of a church that was not willing to compromise their convictions while continuing to welcome and embrace her as God worked in her life. The All Things New Family Support Ministry serves families and friends of people who identify as LGBTQ.
Reverend Barr is the author of “All Things New: A Former Lesbian’s Lifelong Search for Love,” “All Things New – a Discipleship Ministry for Healing,” “All Things New – a Discipleship Ministry for Life Transformation,” and “Life Transformation Day by Day: A 31-Day Devotional.” She also hosts a podcast entitled “Transformed by the Word.”
She holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary and serves on the board of directors for Restored Hope Network.
Reverend Barr has a passion for teaching, preaching, speaking, writing about personal intimacy with Jesus, and helping to direct people to the unconditional love and healing power of Christ. She loves the Lord with all her heart and desires to help people completely transform their lives through their personal relationship with Jesus!
As an assistant facilitator in the First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Beauty for Ashes Ministry, Nekesha’s vision is that women and teenagers will no longer feel bound by the secret shame and guilt of their abortion experience. Nekesha is working to help ladies become healed and empowered to tell their stories whenever the abortion conversation arises. In Jesus Christ there is freedom. Nekesha will help women understand the power of forgiveness after an abortion.
DeLise Bernard is an entrepreneur, homeschooling expert and education consultant. While she and her husband have co-led their health management company, Beyond Excellence, for over 15 years, she’s also the founder of Surviving Homeschool, a community that supports working families thrust into schooling from home. Providing practical survival tips, cataloged educational resources, private and group coaching, and ongoing encouragement to over 7000 members, the team offers community and connection in a time of social distancing. Her advice has been featured on ABC, CBS, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post, as well as various podcasts, education websites and popular parenting blogs. Her family’s homeschool was recently showcased in a George Washington University student-produced documentary for the school’s masters program.
DeLise earned both a bachelor’s degree in human biology and a master’s degree in sociology from Stanford University. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and three children, where she is rejuvenated by spending time with friends, attending book clubs and volunteering for her alma mater and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Kelli Brooks is the CEO and founder of The EiRAM Group, LLC, a full-service SBA, women-owned small business professional staffing firm, providing consulting expertise in the field of acquisition management, professional staffing, training and organizational development, and event management. Since forming EiRAM in 2017, Kelli has accumulated a solid performance history in providing acquisition and event management services on large/complex multiphase projects. This has resulted in securing numerous notable clients, growing the company in both scale and capacity, and achieving significant revenue gains.
With over 15 years of comprehensive acquisition and event management experience, Kelli continues to build synergistic relationships that create value for each of EiRAM’s respected customers. Professional excellence, integrity and a willingness to go the extra mile every time defines who she is.
Kelli earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Bowie State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C. She has also received certificates from the Defense Acquisition University for Federal Acquisition Certification Levels I, II & III.
Kelli has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for 28 years and is actively involved with the Women’s Fellowship Core Team as the décor lead, and has served as the décor lead for the Teens & Tweens for numerous Women’s Conferences.
As the current director of Divine Discipleship for Sisters ministry at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Sherry Blue demonstrates her passion for serving by providing that listening ear to all who willingly share. She has a heart to empower, inspire and impact the lives of women. Before joining DDS, she served as the chair of the College Planning Committee in the Education Ministry at FBCG. She has been an FBCG member since 2004, actively serving in ministry and continuing to mature in her spiritual walk through The Institutes (formerly Bible Institute).
Sherry is committed to doing kingdom business. Recently, she turned her basement into a certified transitional house for women reentering the community following incarceration, substance abuse and other antisocial behaviors. Sherry’s house is the second home for women in the Howard County community under Project Encompass, Inc., Nonprofit Transitional Housing for Women.
Roxanne Burroughs has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for over 20 years and serves as the current director of the Tamar Ministry. This ministry caters to women who have been sexually abused and assaulted. Roxanne has a passion to serve the Lord by helping women who were sexually abused and assaulted attain healing. Her dedication to serving women who’ve experienced sexual assault stems from her personal experience as a child as well as finding out later in life that her two nieces had been sexually abused.
In addition to graduating from Bauder College in Miami, Fla., Roxanne has completed training and courses at the University of North Carolina, Light University and Prince George’s Community College. She has also taken courses through Bethel Seminary and The Institutes at FBCG.
Roxanne loves basketball, sewing and traveling. She has been married for 40 years and is the proud mother of two sons and two grandchildren.
Reverend Lettie M. Carr was born again as a pre-teen in Antioch Church of Christ -Bible Way World-Wide in her hometown of Alexandria, Va. After graduating from T.C. Williams High School, she attended Smith College and later obtained her juris doctorate from the University of Michigan.
Reverend Carr left full-time law practice to serve as chaplain at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, Md., for nearly 22 years. She currently serves as the director of the Ministry and Administrative Support Services Department, an associate pastor and a contract administrator at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
Reverend Carr ministers domestically and internationally. She has been honored with numerous awards including Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Employee of the Year, Maryland’s 100 Top Women, and Distinguished Black Marylander by Towson University.
She is married to M. Neal Carr and they have two children, Nelson and Gabrielle.
Patricia Dennis has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden since 1994, where she teaches Sunday school, ages 12-14, and serves on the core team of the Women’s Focus Study Ministry.
As a single mother, Patricia served as the chaplain in the Single Parents Ministry for five years. She had a separate telephone line in her home designated as the Prayer Hotline for those needing prayer. Patricia is a graduate of two FBCG women’s discipleship ministries, Sisters in Discipleship and Sisters for Your Journey. She is a servant to her heart, understanding that singleness is made up of folks from all walks of life and everyone has their own story. Patricia is currently writing her book “Forgiveness vs. Unforgiveness, My Journey to Freedom.”
Patricia humbly walks in her singleness and is a proud mother and grandmother.
Professor Gilda Daniels is a voting rights expert and former deputy chief in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Voting Section, where she served in both the Clinton and Bush administrations. She is currently a professor of law at the University of Baltimore Law School and the director of litigation for the Advancement Project’s National Office, a multi-racial civil rights organization.
She is a sought after consultant and expert, as well as, a frequent contributor for media and conference panels. Professor Daniels lectures on voting issues on university campuses and various organizations ranging from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American Constitution Society and even her local church. Prior to beginning her voting rights career, she was a staff attorney with the Southern Center for Human Rights representing death row inmates and bringing prison condition cases in Georgia and Alabama. She clerked in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit with the Honorable Joseph W. Hatchett and is a graduate of New York University School of Law, where she was a Root Tilden Scholar and Grambling State University.
Her first book, “UNCOUNTED: The Crisis of Voter Suppression in America,” was published in January by New York University Press and it has already been called “required reading” by Ms. Magazine. It “provides a road map and a call to arms for participants in what [Daniels] calls the fight to vote… This book is a valuable resource for all participants in civic life.”—STARRED Booklist
Miya Edwards serves as the assistant director of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Homemakers Ministry. This is a particularly rewarding role for Miya as this ministry is where she found solace as an anxious new mom. A former critical-care registered nurse and nursing instructor, she now works as a home educator to her three young sons and provides strategic support for her husband’s real estate investment business. Miya identifies with the challenge of balancing family, work, and ministry obligations, especially in a world where everyone’s lives appear flawless. She thoroughly believes that God has a unique prescription for every mom that tailors to her family. This belief fuels Miya’s commitment to encouraging and supporting moms through the inevitable highs and lows of motherhood.
Veronica is called to unmask the lies about abortions and it’s effects on women. Exposing them to hidden truths that can promote healing in their lives as they grow to blossom in their journey to becoming a virtuous woman. She will help to examine forgiveness after the experience of abortion. Veronica currently serves as an assistant facilitator in the First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Beauty for Ashes Ministry.
Ana is the creative lead for Grace Girls Gatherings. One of six children, Ana is the daughter of Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. and First Lady Trina K. Jenkins of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. To fulfill God’s greatest purpose for her life, Ana diligently pursues the fullness of God by focusing on an authentic relationship with Christ. Her passion is to see women grow intimately with Christ, as well as develop strong relationships with other women.
Charmaine Harvin is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, a certified altar call counselor, a graduate of Queen Esther and Sisters In Discipleship Ministries, and a member of the Domestic Violence Ministry.
She earned an Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice from Prince George’s Community College. She is a lieutenant in the Prince George’s County Police Department, where she’s served for 26 years. Charmaine is also a certified general instructor for the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission. During her professional career, she has conducted numerous criminal investigations and specialized in child abuse, domestic violence, crisis intervention training and Duluth Model for Domestic Abuse Intervention. She has also served as a hostage negotiator.
Charmaine helped establish the first Domestic Violence Unit for the police department and commanded the unit for five years. She currently works in the Office of the County Executive, Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety. Charmaine is a member of the community that she serves.
She is a proud wife and mother to three boys.
Seconda Hollinger serves as a Core Team member of the All Things New Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. The All Things New ministry helps people who experience same-sex attraction and sexual brokenness to understand the causes and healing of same-sex attraction by searching the Word of God. She serves in the participant discipleship component as a facilitator and accountability partner. Seconda also serves as a facilitator for the All Things New Family Support Ministry, which serves families and friends of people who identify as LGBTQ.
As a parent of a family member dealing with same-sex attraction, she has a passion for helping other parents to love their children who are caught up in the ways of the world with the unconditional love of Christ, while relentlessly praying for God’s intervention in their lives as she has learned to do from the ministry.
Seconda is currently a student at Denver Seminary in the Master of Divinity program. She has a passion for encouraging others, teaching and sharing her testimony of how God has moved in her life and made her a new creature during her service in the All Things New ministry.
She is a Navy veteran with 25 years of service and currently works at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as the emergency manager. She loves the Lord with all her heart and desires to help others experience Christ and form a relationship with God that will never be broken.
Sharon Honor is a minister at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden where she also serves as an adult Sunday school and Bible Institute teacher. Her passion in ministry is for the lost and hurting. She desires to be a blessing to others, as God has been a blessing to her.
Sharon is a native of Fort Motte, S.C. and holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology from South Carolina State University. She is currently a software engineer with Oracle Corporation.
She is the proud mother of one daughter, Sharrone Blondell Honor.
Desiree James is a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, where she co-founded the Single Parenting Ministry in 1996 and served as its director until 2006. She first became a student and later a facilitator for the “Single and Blessed” class through the Bible Institute Department (now The Institutes).
Desiree is a graduate of the Turning Point Ministry, a 2005 graduate of Sisters in Discipleship and a 2006 graduate of Divine Discipleship for Sisters. After graduating from DDS, she immediately became the assistant director and a facilitator for the ministry. In 2009, she stepped down from serving as the assistant director and took a sabbatical in her role as a facilitator. Still, Desiree stayed connected to DDS by serving on the Evaluation Team. In 2010, she returned to DDS as a facilitator until July 2020.
In July 2020, Desiree graduated from the Women’s Focus Study program. In September 2020, she will be co-facilitating a singles focus study class within the WFS group from her recently written book, “From A Mess to Being Single & Blessed: How God Rewrote My Story.”
Desiree’s true passion is to help people understand who they are in Christ and walk in their God-given purpose for their life. Her life scripture is Philippians 1:6.
Aside from serving in ministry and taking classes, Desiree enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Reverend Janelle Johnson a native of Hampton, Va., attended the University of Illinois with a full track and field scholarship and later transferred to George Mason University earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. In 2007, she earned a master’s degree in business from Johns Hopkins University. After relocating to the Washington, D.C. area, she worked for several technology companies including a seven-year tenure at Lockheed Martin, where she was promoted several times and served as a corporate diversity manager. Her local appointment to a Cabinet-level agency for the federal government allows Reverend Johnson to exercise due diligence leading the agency’s workforce and organizational effectiveness strategies.
In 2014, her commitment to social justice, education and equality led to her being appointed as a commissioner by the county executive to the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission, the civil rights agency for the county to investigate and enforce all federal discrimination laws within its jurisdiction. She was elected as vice-chair of the same commission in 2017 and served until October 2019.
Reverend Johnson was ordained in 2012. She is a servant leader on the ministerial staff at Reid Temple AME Church in Glendale, Md. and the director of their newly launched Domestic Violence Ministry. As an author, she released her book “Is He Spiritual: You Deserve Only God’s Best” in 2017, detailing her encounter with domestic violence. As an advocate, she moderated a panel discussion at the 2019 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference entitled “You Matter to Me: Domestic Violence and Strategic Community Alliances.” As a part of her commitment to continuous learning, Reverend Johnson earned a certificate in theology and ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2017 and is currently pursuing a degree from the George Washington University Law School.
Tonya Johnson-Hunter is a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden where she serves as the assistant director for the FBCG Wives’ Support Ministry and is a member of the ministry’s prayer team. A writer and teacher, Tonya is committed to helping others experience the life Jesus promised when He declared, “I’ve come so that you might have life… more abundantly” (John 10:10b). Tonya is a regular contributor to the encouraging word for the weekly Chosen Vessels Prayer conference call, the WSM’s Ministry Moment, and the monthly teaching for the ministry. Additionally, Tonya served as the former chaplain for the WSM’s prayer team.
With a passion for teaching both children and adults, Tonya is an educator with over 30 years of professional experience as a teacher, instructional coach and school administrator. She currently develops and provides professional learning and executive coaching to leaders who serve within the K-12 education system across the nation. Tonya holds an undergraduate degree in African-American studies and a Master of Science in education. After being widowed for over 10 years, God abundantly blessed Tonya to marry again. Together, she and her husband have five children and three grandchildren.
Daphnee Kelly, a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti is a devout Christian, entrepreneur, powerful speaker and captivating writer whose goal is to service and strengthen her community by bringing hope and affirming value in people’s lives. As a woman of faith, Daphnee established a genuine and profound relationship with Christ from the very young age of 12. This devout relationship enabled her to rise above the grueling and traumatic experiences of sexual, emotional and physical abuse she endured during her adolescence. Due to her devout faith and compassion for those overlooked and broken, Daphnee is now an advocate of women, children and families; speaking hope, healing and empowerment.
Driven by a tenacious and passionate spirit to help young girls and families rise above dire circumstances, Daphnee founded and currently serves as the chief servant officer of Retouch International Ministries, a non-profit organization in Maryland, whose mission is to bring hope, healing and empowerment to the lives of undiscovered or overlooked (at risk) teenage girls; G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging on a Mission to Success). The G.E.M.S. After School Program focuses on helping each girl discover and utilize the gems they already possess to build character and to live a meaningful and impactful life.
Daphnee graduated from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. with a bachelor’s degree in religion, and obtained her master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis on mental health from Webster University in Orlando, Fla. Daphnee previously served on the Montgomery County Commission for Women.
Her life’s motto is, “I live to serve and serve to live.”
Tyra Lane-Kingsland is the founder of Inspired Life, a wellness brand committed to empowering women to live well in the mind, body and spirit. A speaker, holistic health coach and author, Tyra’s dynamic presentations, coaching programs, and books equip women to apprehend, overwhelm, nourish the body, nurture the spirit and parent with purpose. It is her assertion that holistic health is achieved only when one cultivates the mind, the body and the spirit, as the three are inextricably linked.
In addition to speaking, Tyra is a blogger and contributing writer for “iBelieve” and “Beloved Women.” As a mom of six, Tyra holds the role of mother in the highest regard and serves as the director of a mom’s group at her local church. An attentive wife, Tyra is happily raising her family alongside her college sweetheart.
Holding a Health Minister Certification from Wesley Theological Seminary and having been recognized as a Competent Communicator with Toastmasters International, Tyra is on a passionate pursuit to see women living fully!
As an associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Reverend Beverly Little is the director of the Family Relations group, which consists of 12 ministries. She and her husband serve as directors of the church’s Couples Ministry and are the founders of S&B LLC, where they provide relationship training and coaching services to couples and individuals.
Jualecia Malone is a native of Savannah, Ga. who accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of eight. She embraced her walk with Christ as a college freshman at Howard University. After graduating in 1996, Jualecia practiced as a pediatric physician assistant and taught in the Physician Assistant Department at Howard University.
She is an active member at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, where she serves in the Youth Ministry, the Fellowship Chorale, the Young Adult Choir, the Homemakers Ministry, the Couples Ministry and the Missions Ministry. For the past four years, she and her children have enjoyed participating in the Uncut Coming of Christ.
Jualecia has been married for 17 years and is the proud mother of four children. She and her family have just completed their ninth year of homeschooling.
Evangelist Gerald Mayhan accepted Jesus Christ and was delivered from his drug addiction in 1989 after entering the Teen Challenge Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program. Soon after, God restored Gerald’s marriage and called him to preach the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ which he has done for nearly 30 years.
Evangelist Mayhan is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and currently serves as the church evangelist at First Assembly of God in Alexandria, Va. He was recently appointed by the National Headquarters in Springfield, Mo. as the evangelist for the Potomac Ministry Network, serving 350 churches in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. He serves on the executive board of directors for the Teen Challenge Ministry in Capitol Heights, Md. and Fredericksburg, Va. Since 1993, Gerald has been involved in prison ministry in the U.S. and abroad.
Evangelist Mayhan has had the opportunity to host revivals across the nation as well as lead over 26 missions trips. In spite of all the places he has preached, “street ministry” remains his priority. Each year, he holds numerous street meetings across the country where many people accept Christ.
For the last 10 years, Evangelist Mayhan and his wife Phyllis, have held an annual free community event, Love in Action–West Virginia, in their hometown of McDowell County, W. Va. Each year, the Mayhans bless the community with free groceries, backpacks filled with school supplies, clothing, household items, and giveaways such as cameras, laptops and tablets. As a result of this compassionate outreach, thousands of souls have been saved.
Evangelist Gerald “Fire Shut Up in His Bones” Mayhan will tell the world that he is not the same, and he stands on II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, and behold, all things are become new.”
Jackie McCoy has been a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for 28 years and serves as an associate minister. She is currently a facilitator for two of FBCG’s women’s discipleship ministries, Queen Esther Ministry and the Women’s Focus Study Ministry. Jackie and her husband Lawrence are active team members in the Couples Ministry, Couples Focus Study Ministry, Armor Bearer Ministry and Couples Mentoring.
She is passionate about God’s calling on her life, which is to preach and teach the Word of God. Jackie has a passion to minister to hurting women. Her mission is to walk alongside women while teaching them God’s truths so that they will experience God’s healing, and develop into godly women who effectively impact their families and communities. This passion has birthed a women’s Bible Study in the McCoy home called “Women of Purpose.” Jackie also preaches and teaches at various churches, retreats and conferences.
Jackie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of the District of Columbia and a master’s degree in administration and educational leadership from Trinity University.
She continues to strive to be a woman after God’s own heart.
Jackie has been married to her high school sweetheart Deacon Lawrence E. McCoy for 31 years and together they have five adult children, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and five grandchildren.
Lorna Mitchell was born and raised in Westmoreland, Jamaica. She has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for 14 years and she is a graduate of Divine Discipleship for Sisters, Sisters in Discipleship, Sisters for Your Journey and Women’s Focus Studies. She also serves as a certified altar counselor at FBCG.
Coming from a very humble beginning, she has always allowed Christ to be the center of her life. In 2016, Lorna began serving as a Sisters in Discipleship co-facilitator and she now serves as lead facilitator.
Lorna was married to Wyllie Mitchell Jr., affectionately called “Mr. Mitchell,” until God called him home on Nov. 16, 2014, after 16 years of marriage. She is passionate about pouring into and encouraging women, especially in relationships, as it pertains to marriage.
She is the mother of two wonderful children and three adorable granddaughters. Her lifelong scripture is Philippians 4:13.
Reverend Keionna Neal currently serves as the co-pastor of Faith Worship Center of Baltimore, a church plant in Northeast Baltimore City, under the covering of Pastor John K Jenkins, Sr., with her husband, Pastor Byron Neal.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowie State University. Reverend Neal was licensed in the African Methodist Episcopal Church on January 31, 1997, under the leadership of Pastor Ann Lightner-Fuller. While under that leadership, she served in the choir, the praise and worship team, the Intercessory prayer team, led women’s groups and served with her husband on the Evangelism team.
In 1999, the Lord led the Neal Family to the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, where she was later ordained, along with her husband in 2011 as an associate pastor. Reverend Neal has served as a facilitator in the Queen Esther discipleship ministry, facilitated focus study groups, and taught Sunday school. She also mentored women called in ministry, hosted Marriage Ministry groups, and counseled married and engaged couples.
Reverend Neal is passionate about serving the Body of Christ in raising and developing dynamic disciples. The Neals’ church motto, “Love God, Love People and Serve the City” stems from the love of God and the Call of God displayed in their own relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Neals’ have been married for 31 years and they are the proud parents of four children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Brook Parker-Bello is an author, thought leader, justice advocate, actress, techie, ordained minister and survivor champion against human trafficking. She is the founding CEO of More Too Life, Inc, an Open Doors Outreach Network Provider. She is also the founder of Youthiasm® a faith-based ministry to ignite empathy and honor. Dr. Bello is the author of several successful books, and digital and copy educational curriculum platforms aimed at the prevention of sexual exploitation and gender-based violence in the 21st century related to digital integrity as well as the legacy of fatherhood.
Dr. Bello has spoken alongside presidents, prime ministers, and fellow change-makers at universities, large conferences and federal agencies. Aside from holding a Ph.D. in pastoral clinical counseling, she was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama and the White House, the Advocate of the Year Award from Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi and Governor Rick Scott, named by United Way Worldwide as a Hero for her work and most recently was named by Google as a Google Next-Gen Policy Leader 2017-2020. She was also the 2019 Department of Justice ATF Division Victim Advocate of the Year.
Leading women into their God-given purpose by leveraging her gifts and talents, Jacqueline Parker is a motivated leader, encourager, teacher, facilitator, and life coach. Affectionately known as Jackie, she is passionate about developing great leaders, helping them to see their significance and leadership influence, and empowering them to be the salt and light that God has called them to be in the world today.
Jackie has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for 29 years. She is the current director of the Women’s Ministry Focus Studies, where the vision is that every woman will be able to apply the word of God to every circumstance in life, while developing dynamic women by training and equipping them through short-term studies and applying biblical principles. She has previously served in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Bible Institute, Evangelism and the Women’s Ministry Conference Team.
For over 25 years, Jackie’s message has enabled women to know that God loves them, discover the gifts God has given them, develop their quiet time with Jesus, live and enjoy an abundant and exciting Christian life, and be obedient to the voice of God.
Jackie and her husband, Michael, recently celebrated 51 years of marriage. Together they have four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her life scripture is: John 15:5.
Dr. Johnny Parker is the director of counseling and the Men’s Ministry at First Baptist Church of Glenarden. As an executive coach, leadership consultant and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Parker helps pro athletes, leaders, teams and organizations win at work and thrive in life.
He and his wife Lezlyn are former life coaches of the Washington Football Team and Pittsburgh Steelers, and they regularly work with pro athletes to help them build strong marriages. His Turn the Page system has helped numerous leaders and organizations such as Corning Inc., NFL, NBA, Chick-fil-a and AOL just to name a few. His work has been featured on CNN International, BET, NBC’s “Viewpoint,” Essence, The Washington Post, Ebony and other media outlets. He is the author of several books including, “Turn the Page: Unlocking the Story Within You.”
Dr. Parker and Lezlyn have been married 31 years and they have three sons – JP, Jordan and Joel, and an energetic Cocker Spaniel – Jay Jay. The Parkers reside outside of Washington, D.C.
Mother Geneva Pearson founded and served as director for the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Wives’ Support Ministry for 21 years and currently serves as an advisor. She is also a Mother of the church, an alumni member of the Sisters in Discipleship Ministry, a facilitator for Women’s Focus Studies, and a student in the Bible Institute. Serving in various capacities gives her joy as she follows her passion to empower, nurture and share wisdom with younger women.
Shameeka Price is the CEO of Capital Structures Real Estate, LLC, a full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage and development firm. Through her innovative leadership, strategic planning and long-term vision, she motivates and leads her high performing team. She ensures CSRE’s foundational principles of honesty, integrity, vigorous hard work, and professionalism are met and the company remains true to its vision and stays fiscally sound. In addition, community outreach is a key component of Shameeka’s commitment to building relationships and building communities in Prince George’s County, Md.
She has over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry and is licensed in the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland and Virginia. Shameeka specializes in residential and commercial acquisitions, homeownership training, leasing and property development. Her clients include homeowners, financial institutions and investors. She has successfully managed a multitude of acquisitions, consistently increased the company’s annual revenues and built wealth opportunities for her company as well as clients. Shameeka is recognized by others as an inspiration, an influencer and a person with a passion for helping others succeed.
In addition, Shameeka is a proud member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden where she, her husband and children worship. She holds executive board positions with the Prince George’s County Association of Realtors where she serves as the president-elect, the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce where she has dual roles as the chair of the Woman in Business Development Committee and executive member-at-large, as well as the National Association Of Realtors and Maryland Association of Realtors where she serves on the nominating committee. Shameeka is full of life and love and you can always count on her to be supportive.
She resides in Prince George’s County, Md. with her husband, Kingston of 16 years. Together they have enjoyed raising three children with strong values and a love for helping others.
Reverend Garner, affectionately known as “Reverend Esquire,” uniquely carries the mantle of both preacher and lawyer. Born and reared in Washington, D.C., she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at the age of 12. An honors graduate of both McKinley High School and Howard University, Reverend Garner earned her juris doctorate degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. Believing that God requires excellence in kingdom work, she earned a master’s degree in theological studies from Bethel Seminary.
In 1993, she united with the First Baptist Church of Glenarden and is currently serving as an associate pastor. Reverend Garner has been active in the Intercessory Prayer Group, the Women’s Ministry, the church’s building committee and serves as an instructor in its Bible Institute. Additionally, she has traveled to Guyana, South America and Dobrovista, Ukraine –preaching and teaching as a missionary, on behalf of FBCG.
Reverend Garner’s ministry has afforded her the opportunity to conduct several conferences, retreats and seminars, nationally. Her international travel has taken her to Jordan, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Turkey (Ephesus), Greece and Israel for educational and spiritual enrichment.
Reverend Garner and her husband reside in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Michelle Singletary is a nationally syndicated personal finance, award-winning columnist for The Washington Post. Her column, “The Color of Money” is an award-winning column carried in dozens of newspapers across the country.
She is the author of three books: “The 21 Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Free,” “Spend Well, Live Rich: How to Live Well With the Money You Have” and “Your Money and Your Man: How You and Prince Charming Can Spend Well and Live Rich.”
Michelle was the financial expert for “The Revolution,” a daytime program on ABC. For two years, she was the host of her own national television program, “Singletary Says” on TV One.
She is a frequent contributor to various NPR radio programs and has appeared on national cable and television network shows, including “Oprah,” NBC’s “Today Show,” CBS’s “The Early Show and CNN.
In 2019, she was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, the organization’s highest honor given to an individual who has made a significant impact on the field of business journalism. She was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Society of Professional Journalists Washington, DC, Pro Chapter. Fellow 2019 inductees included CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer and CBS News White House Correspondent Peter Maer.
Michelle is the director of the Prosperity Partners Ministry, a financial program she founded at her church, First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Through the ministry, she teaches on various financial topics. As part of this ministry, she and her husband also volunteer to teach financial literacy to prison inmates. Through FBCG’s Institute classes, Michelle and her husband, Kevin, teach a 12-week class called “Mastering Money In Marriage.”
In her column, media appearances and ministry, Singletary delivers advice on personal finance issues that range from lending your honey money (Don’t do it!), to raising money-smart kids (You can do it!) to the importance of getting out of debt, saving and investing (You must do it!).
Michelle Singletary is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, and Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a master’s degree in business and management. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their three children and dog, Simba.
Benita Smith has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden since 1998.
Benita is a 2004 pioneer graduate of the Deborah Leaner Ministry, now known as Divine Discipleship for Sisters. She is also a 2004 graduate of Sisters in Discipleship, a 2010 graduate of Sisters for Your Journey and a 2020 graduate of the Women Developing Women Leaders Focus Studies class.
Benita Smith has had an opportunity to serve in many ministries at FBCG including the Prison Ministry, FBCG VIP Team, the Singles Ministry, Single Parents Ministry, Feed the Hungry, Broadcast and Multimedia Services, Sunday School Prayer Team and the Banner Ministry.
In addition to serving in ministries, Benita has traveled with the Missions Team on two occasions to Guyana, South America in 2001 and 2004.
God’s love has totally overwhelmed Benita and has left her speechless. She has had an opportunity to share this Love with the world through self-publishing her first book in 2016, entitled “True Love.”
Shena Smith serves as a facilitator at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Using her tenure as a public high school educator, she established a faith-based non-profit organization, Daughters United in Christ, Inc., where she engages and equips over 60 teenage girls on how to use biblical principles to navigate through their social, emotional, and spiritual unrest while preparing them for post-secondary options. Shena has published articles in FBCG’s Grace Magazine and spoken at various local conferences, panels and small group sessions.
Reverend Carolyn Tatem is a native of Washington, D.C., and has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for 26 years, where she serves as an associate pastor.
Reverend Tatem has served in the Queen Esther Ministry for over 18 years. She began as the assistant director and was later appointed to the role of director, where she has remained for 14 years.
Although Reverend Tatem was a stay-at-home mom for several years, she is a business teacher by profession. She has taught students in high school, home school and is currently teaching middle school students.
Additionally, Reverend Tatem is the author of four books and is a part of the Lifeway Women’s Ministry Trainer Team (a Christian resource company in Nashville, Tenn.).
She has been married to Deacon William Tatem for 22 years and together they have three children.
All of Dianne Taylor’s ministry involvement is marked by her sincere heart to serve. She has been a faithful and committed member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden since 2000, where she immediately began using her gifts to serve in numerous ministries. She was an active member of the New Members Ministry (now Connections Ministry) from 2000 – 2013 and served as the president for several years. Under her leadership, the ministry transitioned to a new name and a new mission. As a result of her diligence in ministry, Dianne was honored as the Education and Training Departmental Volunteer of the Year and the Outstanding Departmental Volunteer of the Year in 2011.
Dianne’s current ministry involvement includes serving as a group leader for the Assimilation Group under the Education and Training Department, director of the Sermon Based Life Groups Ministry, and instructor for the new members’ classes and the Leadership Institute. Additionally, she held the position of assistant director of the Focus Studies Ministry and served as a facilitator for Sisters for Your Journey Ministry. Currently, she serves as a facilitator for the Focus Studies Ministry. God stirred Dianne to serve Him as a part of FBCG’s foreign missions outreach, ministering in Ghana, West Africa and Cuba. Her experience with “Cuba for the Cross” was life-altering as she was used to pour out God’s love to the men and women of that nation.
She pursued and received her master’s degree in biblical theology from Bethel Seminary of the East to expand her understanding of God’s word and equip her for ministry. Dianne is a graduate of several FBCG discipleship ministries.
Dianne’s professional career utilizes her wealth of experience as an executive at several national non-governmental organizations that focus on community and economic development, housing, and homeless prevention. In spite of a demanding work schedule, Dianne manages to perform her marital duties, career responsibilities and her ministry obligations with excellence to the glory of God.
She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Victor Taylor, for 42 years and God has blessed them with one son and two grandchildren.
Meet certified life coach, forthcoming author, speaker and teacher, Kenya S. Ulmer. Kenya teaches women how to ditch the drama and distractions to get on the road to their destiny. Drama and chaos are the dirty little secrets that we want to keep hidden and behind closed doors. Kenya knows about these secrets first-hand, having been caught up in a whirlwind of drama and running from one ungodly soul tie to another, which put her on a course of destruction and despair. She had to understand whose she was to understand who she was.
Nothing bothers Kenya more than seeing women not understand the power they possess and knowing their true worth in Jesus Christ. Her approach is aimed to get at the root of and unearth the deadly foundations that we create and live on. These foundations prevent us from living a more joyous and purpose-filled life.
Kenya has been featured on ABC7’s “Good Morning Washington” and has served as a guest blogger for numerous online publications. She also serves as the director of the Single Parents Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden where she also writes for Grace Magazine.
Kenya resides in the Washington, D.C. area with her fabulous daughter Sydney, who just graduated summa cum laude from The George Washington University.
Reverend Linda J. Thomas serves on the ministerial staff at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. She is also an award-winning entrepreneur.
In 2001, she earned a Master of Divinity from Howard University. She has held several federal government positions and currently operates a successful direct sales business.
Reverend Thomas was instrumental in the establishment of the Domestic Violence Ministry at FBCG and a Family Justice Center in Prince George’s County. The FJC serves residents of the county who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and elder abuse.
In 2007, she served as vice-chair of the Prince George’s County Commission for Women.
Reverend Thomas has maintained her compassion and commitment to empower and enrich the lives of women as she serves as a mentor, motivator and professional coach to many.
Gwendolyn Wade, also affectionately known as “Ms. Gwen or Gwen,” is grateful to be on assignment for God. She is a woman who loves spending time learning and teaching the Word of God. Gwen accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior in February 1994.
In January 2007, the Lord assigned her to serve and to be taught under the leadership and guidance of Pastor Jenkins and First Lady Trina Jenkins at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Gwen is active in FBCG’s Fitness Ministry and has previously served as the chaplain of the Harvest Festival and the Singles Ministry. In 2016, she was appointed to facilitate a workshop entitled “Leading, Loving and Learning Well” at FBCG’s annual women’s conference, where she still serves today.
Gwen currently teaches Sunday school (ages 12-14) and serves as a Focus Study facilitator at FBCG. She is delighted that God has chosen to use her to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone she meets. After 35 years of committed customer service, Gwen retired from her employer, Dominion Energy.
She is a native Washingtonian who currently resides in Prince George’s County, Md. Gwen is the proud godmother to Kameron and Taylor, and “Auntie” to so many others. Her favorite scripture is Deuteronomy 6:5 and her life scripture is Romans 12:1-2.
Maria White, affectionately known as Sister ReRe, serves as the director of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Wives’ Support Ministry. She is also a facilitator for the Women’s Focus Study Ministry, facilitating courses on being a godly woman and wife. She’s a blogger and the founder of FBCG’s Grace Magazine and the Women’s Group Prayer Team.
As a certified Life-Affirming Specialist through Heartbeat International, Bethany has served Beauty For Ashes tirelessly since 2016 and as acting director since April 2020. She desires to see women and men redeemed from the devastating effects of abortion. Her work as a Sidewalk Advocate for Life on the sidewalk of a local abortion clinic has encouraged women to make decisions for life and leave the abortion industry altogether. Bethany works fervently to see a change in the ladies God sends to her in Beauty for Ashes.
Retired Colonel Marilyn D. Wills is a native of Monroe, La. and a graduate of Grambling State University. She also holds two master’s degrees and an honorary doctorate degree. Colonel Wills’ military career spans over 30 years of active military service. She was the first officer to be commissioned as a second lieutenant into the United States Army, and she was also commissioned as a military police officer. Colonel Wills has held several positions throughout her military career including serving as inspector general of all military forces in Afghanistan, where she was deployed for one year.
Over the course of her military career, she received numerous awards including the Purple Heart for injuries she sustained during the September 11 terrorists attack at the Pentagon.
After retiring from the military, Marilyn has taught at every level ranging from elementary school to serving as an adjunct professor at Trinity University teaching psychology. Currently, she is the volunteer coordinator for the First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Family Life Center where she leads over 85 volunteers. She is a child of God and very proud to share her testimony with everyone.
Marilyn is married to retired Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Wills and they have two daughters, Portia married to Jeffrey Rapheal (expecting their first child in December 2020), and Percilla Wills.