Lent and Easter 2021 Bios

Rev. Dr. Rhonda Blevins
ICCC

Rev. Dr. Rhonda Blevins, a former college minister, a former coordinator of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Kentucky, a former conference preacher, and a trained life coach with the Panicle Group who works with the Lilly Foundation, is pastor of Chapel by the Sea Community Church, Clearwater Beach, Florida, and the Vice President for Leadership Development for the International Council of Community Churches. She holds a Ph.D. degree from McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia and is the recipient of the 2019 Charles A. Trentham Homiletics Award.

Dr. Julia M. O’Brien
Lancaster Theological Seminary

Dr. Julia M. O’Brien has held the Paul H. and Grace L. Stern Chair of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Lancaster Theological Seminary since 1997. From 1989-1997, she served on the faculty of Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She holds the Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies from Duke University. In her teaching and presentations, Dr. O’Brien addresses women’s issues, gender issues, ethical issues in biblical interpretation, violence, and reading the Bible as literature. She also is an academic editor and a well-respected author of four biblical texts.

Bishop Othal H. Lakey

Bishop Othal H. Lakey, a retired bishop in the CME Church, is a nationally known preacher, lecturer and author, including the author of the 1985, 683- page History of the CME Church. Licensed to preach at age 12 and assigned his first church at age 18, Bishop Lakey holds two MA degrees in theology and three honorary doctorate degrees.

Rev. Dr. Vernon Meyer

Rev. Dr. Vernon Meyer, the pastor of Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, Sun Lakes, Arizona, also is an Adjunct Professor of Theological and Biblical Studies, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, a lecturer at the University of San Francisco, Phoenix area, and a former Director of Programs, Arizona Center for Theological Studies, Phoenix. He holds the Doctor of Philosophy (Theology) degree from the University of Dayton.

Rev. Dr. William Samuels

Rev. Dr. William Samuels, the Pastor of Commonwealth Community Church, Chicago, is an awesome preacher and a dynamic Bible Study leader. He knows almost every inch of the Bible and is especially effective in putting participants at easy in Bible study because he has a unique way of intertwining the historical/ biblical background with the text that is non-threatening to those who might feel intimidated. With three 501(3c’s) he also works with the wider Chicago Community in helping to reduce violence, to feed the hungry, and to provide survival education to individuals of all ages. He previously worked with special projects and other activities connected with Rev. Jessie Jackson and PUSH. He is the Immediate Past President of the International Council of Community Churches and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago University where he studied with renowned scholars such as Martin Marty, Charles Long, and Don Browning.

Bishop Ann Henning-Byfield

Bishop Ann Henning-Byfield is the Presiding Prelate of the 16th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where she provides leadership to seven annual conferences in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. Bishop Henning-Byfield is one who dares to live, lead, and love God. She lives a life filled with creativity and passion as a preacher, psalmist, a poet, spoken word artist, strategic consultant, writer, composer, wife, mother, and grand mother. She holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Rev. Andrew Foster Connors

Rev. Andrew Foster Connors has been the Pastor of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, since 2004. He is passionate about leading a church with a commitment to welcoming all of God’s children into the life of faith, particularly people who have been frustrated by the insular, exclusionary tendencies of church communities. Rev. Connors is happy to be in a church that welcomes a prophetic witness from the pulpit to the streets. In addition to leading the congregation at Brown Memorial, he serves as clergy co-chair of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), a local affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) and Maryland’s largest citizens power organization.  He helped found, and later served as co-chair, of NEXT Church, a national movement among Presbyterians excited about the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  He serves on several nonprofit boards and is a frequent contributor to journals and commentaries. He holds degrees from Duke University and Columbia Theological Seminary, and was the 2001 recipient of the David H.C. Read Preaching Award.