Dr. Patricia Ashley is a popular writer, teacher and international speaker. She has served as a board member for Exceptional Women of God Ministries and Excellence Magazine, where she was a featured columnist. She is a speaker for Christian conferences and retreats around the world, has led many bible studies and discipleship groups, and has been involved with evangelism and youth ministry as well.  Dr. Patricia is the author of the book entitled Marriage is a Blessing When It’s Done God’s Way.  Her testimony of how God restored her marriage has been aired several times on Focus On The Family, by Dr. James Dobson and Jim Daly. God continues to use her story to heal marriages around the world. Dr. Patricia and her husband, Vernon (who passed away in 2018), were married for forty-eight years.  She and Vernon have three adult children and six grandchildren. Dr. Patricia lives in the Dallas, Texas area.

Rev. Dawnesha K. Beaver is an anointed, enthusiastic servant leader, currently serving as the Executive Minister of New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. Sonja R. Dawson. With a profound dedication to teaching the Gospel and empowering God’s people, Rev. Beaver brings both spiritual depth and dynamic energy to her ministry. A proud graduate of Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science and Fuller Theological Seminary, Rev. Beaver exemplifies excellence, vision, and commitment in both the church and the community. Her ministry places a strong emphasis on evangelism, outreach, and fostering spiritual growth, and is noted for its commitment to justice, compassion, and meaningful service. A lifelong member of New Mt. Calvary, Rev. Beaver has faithfully served in various capacities across the life of the church. This breadth of experience has equipped her to effectively develop and disciple individuals for impact both in ministry and in the marketplace. She has intentionally cultivated a culture where worship, prayer, and discipleship are central, inspiring believers to live out their faith with boldness and purpose. Rev. Beaver is also a strong advocate for health equity and social justice, viewing the Gospel as a powerful instrument of healing, reconciliation, and liberation. Her leadership seeks to address both spiritual and practical needs, offering innovative strategies, resources, and Christ-centered care to uplift and empower the community. With a vision for spiritual renewal and kingdom advancement, Rev. Dawnesha Beaver continues to lead with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering pursuit of God’s will. Supported by her loving family and a faithful congregation, she remains a powerful voice and vessel for transformation in the church and beyond.

Yolanda Brigee Duncan is first and foremost a child of God.  She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.  One of her foundational scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding.  In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  Yolanda Duncan has learned to trust God with everything in her life.  She is a woman who puts God first and wants to live a life that is pleasing unto Him and brings Him glory and honor. She also believes in the power of praise and that we should gives God thanks in all things. Yolanda has been a member of the New Commandment MBC in Paramount California for 43 years. Her parents are the Pastor and First Lady, Rev. Grady Jones & Sis. Elois Jones.  She currently serves as a worship leader, young adult ministry mentor and co-founder and teacher for the Ladies of Faith Bible Study and Prayer ministry. She is also a part of the Called to Leadership Real Women’s Conference Ministry.   Professionally, she spent 36 years as a registered nurse and retired last year.  3 years prior to her retirement, the Lord blessed her to obtain her dream position as assistant Medical Center Administrator.  She now works in her new Real Estate Investment companies – RN Property Partners and Sunrise Home Partners.  Yolanda is the wife of Dr. Anthony Duncan, and together they have 6 adult children, 2 grandsons and one granddaughter.  Their marriage is a blessing and their goal is for others to see Christ through them. Being a wife and mother is one of her greatest blessings and she truly cherishes her family.      Yolanda lives by and believes the word of God in Ephesians 3:20 that reads 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.  There is nothing too hard for God!

Dr. Karen Elizabeth Stewart is a 2002 graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies. Her area of emphasis was in Non-Profit Management. She also received her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Arizona State University in 1999 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Ottawa University. In May of 2021, she received her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Stewart was licensed to preach in August of 1988 and was ordained in the Gospel Ministry in January of 2004.  Having a passion for preaching, she has preached throughout Arizona, in Soweto, South Africa and has been a repeat devotional leader for the Women's Division for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. at its Annual Session.  Dr. Stewart is a member of the First Institutional Baptist Church and retired after thirty years of service in November, 2023, from the position of Executive Director of Ministries.  Having held several staff positions at FIBC throughout her ministry career, God developed and trained Karen to become the first-ever Executive Director of FIBCO Family Services, Inc., the non-profit arm of First Institutional.  Under her leadership, this organization received over $100,000.00 in grant funding in her second year.  In her five-year tenure, FIBCO developed from a $60,000.00 budget funded entirely by the church to over a 1.0 million dollar budget and an asset base of over 4.0 million dollars as well as four strategic program areas that ministered to at-risk youth and those with mental challenges to those striving to purchase their first home.   In our community, Dr. Stewart currently serves as the faith seat First Things First South Phoenix Region, is a life member of the NAACP and serves Hospice of the Valley as their Dementia Outreach Educator for the African American Community. She has also served on the Committee for Faith-Based Development with the City of Phoenix and the steering committee for Families First, a collaboration with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.   Born to Elmer and Dolores Curry on October 22, 1966, in Tachikawa, Japan, Karen is the youngest of five children. She was raised in Arizona and has lived there for the majority of her life.  In November of 2007, Karen married Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., who serves as the Senior Pastor Emeritus of First Institutional Baptist Church. As a result of this union, she has gone from raising her only daughter, Jessica Elizabeth, to parenting together with her husband, seven children, two daughters–in–law, one son-in-law and thirteen grandchildren.

Dr. MarQuerita Story is a dynamic fourth-generation preacher and internationally recognized voice in the Kingdom of God. A gifted pastor, teacher, ministry strategist, and writer, she is known for her wise, witty, and winsome approach to ministry that connects across generations and cultures.  Humbled by God’s call on her life, Dr. Story lives with a relentless passion to equip, encourage, inspire, and empower others through the transformative power of God’s Word. Her impact is far-reaching—both in the pulpit and across digital platforms—where she ministers with clarity, conviction, and compassion.  She currently serves as Chief Servant and Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Williamsport, PA, and New Hope Baptist Church in Corona, NY. She is also the founder of IMPACT Christian Fellowship, Act2:17 Daughters Ministry, and a growing online faith movement.  Dr. Story continues to pour into lives daily through digital discipleship including “Will You Pray With Me?” at Noon EST, IMPACT Prayer on Tuesdays at 6:15 PM EST, and Training for Reigning Online Bible Study (Zoom ID: 9401120996). Without a doubt, Dr. MarQuerita Story is a servant for this season—called, committed, and commissioned to make an eternal impact.

Described as a Transformational Preacher, Dynamic Leader and Ministry Trailblazer, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson is an inspiring example of what God can do with a life committed to the call. She currently serves as the beloved Senior Pastor of The Allen Temple Baptist Church in her native Oakland, California. Her 2019 election made history nationwide as the first woman called to serve as Senior Pastor of this historic African American Baptist Church founded in 1919. Before being called in this capacity, Dr. Thompson served as the Assistant Pastor at Allen Temple and as Youth Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., the first woman to serve in both capacities. Committed to excellence in scholarship, Dr. Thompson received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics from the University of California, Berkeley; the Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. While at Howard, she received the Nannie Helen Burroughs Award for Academic Excellence and the Henry G. Maynard Award for Excellence in Preaching and Ministry. Believing in the importance of both orthodoxy and orthopraxy, Dr. Thompson continued her studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California where she was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree in African American Church Leadership. She is a member of the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her activism and leadership have been recognized by various chapters honoring her with the Community Excellence Award and as Distinguished Woman of the Year. Among other honors, Dr. Thompson has been inducted into the distinguished Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers. Dr. Thompson is a gifted preacher, administrator, and published author traveling and ministering extensively nationally and internationally often in arenas previously unchartered by women. In addition, she has been called upon by local and national print and electronic media as an opinion leader to offer perspective and hope amidst the pressing issues of the day. She is currently on the teaching staff of the Berkeley School of Theology in the area of Public Theology and Preaching. Her mission is to see transformation in the lives of others and is humbled by every opportunity to serve.

Pastor Franchesca L. White is a native of Los Angeles, California.  She is the daughter of Dr. Leonard E. White and Lady Frankie M. Johnson – White.  She is the newly elected senior pastor of Holy Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where her father, the late Dr. Leonard E. White was  the Pastor for 36 years. Pastor Fran has been a member of Holy Mount Calvary for 34 years, licensed to preach for 20 years, and ordained for 15 years. After being elected to the office of pastor, on June 23, 2024, Pastor Franchesca White became a member of Atherton Baptist Church, and Dr. Larry Weaver became her Pastor.  Pastor Fran received her formal education from Mount St. Mary’s University (A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education), and Union Institute and University (B.S. degree in Child and Adolescent Development). 2011 Alumni of the Passing the Mantle (PTM) Clergy, and Lay Leadership Institute held at USC in the Murray USC Center for Religion & Civic Culture. In 2020, Pastor Fran graduated from one of her father’s alma maters, Bible Believers Christian College and Seminary with a B.A. degree in Biblical Studies. Pastor Fran is a warrior built for kingdom work and equipped to empower the body of Christ. Pastor Fran is known for singing, and preaching. Pastor Franchesca White has no fear of creating her own lane, knowing her vocation, walking it out, and now serving as an under-shepherd of Kingdom people. Pastor Fran believes it is her purpose as a proclaimer / psalmist of God to interrupt the devil’s frequency with the life-changing word of God by utilizing EVERY platform given to bring souls to Christ.