Officers
The Rev. Jamie P. Washam
Board Position: President
Church: First Baptist Church in America, Providence, R.I.
Region: American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island
Committee: Executive Committee
The Rev. Jamie P. Washam pastors First Baptist Church in America, Providence, R.I., where she has served since fall 2015. The church remains committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and Roger Williams’ founding vision of soul liberty. A native Texan, Washam graduated from University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Divinity School. She makes her home with her husband and son in Rhode Island. As an agent of God’s love, she considers it an honor to get paid to do what she would do in her free time anyway.
Rev. Dr. Mia Chang
Board Position: Vice President
Church: NextGen Church, West Windsor, N.J.
Region: American Baptist Churches of New Jersey
Committee: Executive Committee, Governance Committee, World Relief Committee
The Rev. Dr. Mia Chang is founder and senior pastor of NextGen Church, West Windsor, N.J. In addition, she is establishing the faith-based organization Capital City Community to serve students in Trenton, N.J., public schools, and she is president of Africa River of Life, a nonprofit organization that educates children in Kenya and Nigeria. She earned a B.A. in Early Childhood Education at Pace University and an M.Div. at Alliance Theological Seminary, both New York City, as well as a D.Min. at what is now known as Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa. “I consider it an honor to be part of God’s mission,” she says. “I hope to continue planting new ministries both locally and globally.”
Members
The Rev. Yamina Apolinaris
Church: Primera Iglesia Bautista de Caguas, Puerto Rico
Region: American Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico
Committee: Governance Committee
For the past 13 years, the Rev. Yamina Apolinaris has served as executive director of Corporación Milagros del Amor (“Miracles of Love Corporation”), Caguas, Puerto Rico, serving and working along with homeless individuals, senior citizens and survivors of domestic violence. In addition to being a past regional executive of American Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico, she has served over the years in various leadership roles on many boards at the denomination’s national level. She is interim pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Caguas. “The mission of the American Baptist family has been my passion throughout my life,” she says. “I value what we model as a denomination and what we stand for. Much of what I am and what I have accomplished, I owe to my denomination.”
F. Denise Gibson-Bailey
Church: Metropolitan Baptist Church, Largo, Md.
Region: D.C. Baptist Convention
Committee: Audit Committee
Denise Gibson-Bailey believes that one’s professional and Christian lives must stand together. Thus, her dedication to ministry is as strong as her business acumen. As president of Gibson-Bailey Associates, she provides management consulting and customized training to nonprofit organizations. As an adjunct professor of Business Communications at the University of the District of Columbia, she mentors undergraduate business students. Yet she continues to seek creative ways to serve God and to heal communities. “Through my church and other local organizations, I am actively involved in ministries that are designed to meet the human needs in my community,” she says. She earned a B.A. at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and an MBA at Emory University, Atlanta.
The Rev. Dr. Conley H. Hughes Jr.
Church: Concord Baptist Church, Milton, Mass.
Region: American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
Committee: Finance Committee
As senior pastor of Concord Baptist Church of Boston, Milton, Mass., Dr. Conley H. Hughes Jr. seeks to develop strategies and resources that can help people engage with each other in healthy ways and that can provide them with a sense of appreciation for their worth and life contributions. He is working with a group to plan a center to assist young adults in Barbados with vocational and life skills following detention. He earned a D.Min. at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass.; a Th.D. (A.B.D.) at Boston University School of Theology; an M.Div. and M.S.T., both at Boston University; and a B.A. at Florida Memorial University, Miami. He says of ABHMS’ board: “I’m excited about continued work on a board with so much faith and results-oriented thinking, energy and creativity.”
The Rev. Sanetta Ponton
Church: First Baptist Church, Englewood, N.J.
Region: American Baptist Churches of New Jersey
Committee: Executive Committee, Audit Committee
The Rev. Sanetta Ponton is assistant pastor at First Baptist Church based in Englewood, N.J.. Rooted in her passion she participates in numerous areas of her church including assisting in leading worship, preaching twice monthly, teaching weekly adult Bible study, advising the music ministry, counseling congregants and visits the sick. In addition, she is the full-time managing director of academic programs for a law-related college preparatory organization in New York City. Ponton earned a Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Mass., and a Master of Divinity degree at Duke Divinity School, Durham, N.C.
The Rev. Kathryn Ray
Church: North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago
Region: American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago
Board Position: Board of General Ministries Appointment
As pastor of Discipleship at North Shore Baptist Church (NSBC), Chicago, the Rev. Kathryn Ray enjoys opportunities to minister in ways she never imagined. “NSBC is a multicultural community with four congregations that speak four different languages:
English, Spanish, Japanese and Karen). Each congregation has its own pastor. I work across congregations to build inter-congregational connections, facilitate educational programs and oversee online communications.” She earned an M.Div. and AM in Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Religion at Oberlin (Ohio) College. Between undergraduate and graduate school, she worked in the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps for 2 1/2 years–at Hope House in Milwaukee, Ill., and at two Agnesian schools in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Vincent M. Ross
Church: Salem Baptist Church, North Wales, Pa.
Region: American Baptist churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware
Committee: Finance Committee
A regional manager at Bayer, Vincent M. Ross is excited about his organization’s ability to bring new and sustainable technology to agriculture. His goal is to continue to bring innovation and research in the agriculture field. “Not only will this [innovation] help feed the world,” he says, “but it will provide employment opportunities.” A mentor in his place of work, he says, “The most rewarding part about my job is to be able to help an employee reach his or her career goals and objectives.” He earned an MBA at the University of Virginia and graduated from the Global Leadership Exchange, St. Louis, Mo. He is a trustee and
a member of the Adult Citizens Board at his church.
The Rev. Alissia J. Thompson
Church: United Church of Granville, Ohio
Region: American Baptist Churches of the Rochester/Genesee Region
Committee: TBA
The Rev. Dr. Alissia J. Thompson is pastor of United Church of Granville, Ohio, where she builds and deepens relationships with “thoughtful, compassionate and fun folks.” She finds meaning in journeying alongside fellow Christians on the path of healing, and she strives to foster a community of care wherein people are genuinely invested in one another’s flourishing. A board-certified chaplain and licensed clinical professional counselor, Rev. Thompson holds a Master of Counseling from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago. She is currently working toward a Doctor of Ministry from Fordham University. Rev. Thompson looks forward to serving on the ABHMS board, “to further God’s mission of peace and justice alongside some extraordinary individuals.”
The Rev. Dr. Corey S. Fields
Church: Calvary Baptist Church, Newark, Del.
Region: American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware
Committee: Audit Committee, World Relief Committee
The Rev. Dr. Corey S. Fields is senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Newark, Del. Known in the community for ministry to the poor and to refugees, Calvary was among the churches instrumental in founding the city’s day center for the poor. He hopes to expand Calvary’s solid tradition of mission by exploring ways to connect it with his research and experience in community development, cross-sector partnerships and justice. “I am passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives,” he says, “and putting the love of Christ into action.” Fields earned a D.Min. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee, Kan.; an M.Div. from Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va.; and a B.A. from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
The Rev. Douglas Harris
Church: North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago
Region: American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago
Committee: Finance Committee
Believing that his calling was ordained before birth, the Rev. Douglas Harris entered ordained ministry at age 17. He has served in a number of roles over the years, including as youth/young adult minister in several churches; church pastor in Detroit; pastor at North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago, which worships in four languages; and as interim executive minister for American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. He most recently served as president of the Ministers Council of American Baptist Churches USA. “I have spent my entire ministry making certain that everyone feels welcomed and empowered in God’s family,” he says. “The witness of ABHMS through the years has been inspiring to me, especially in times when some wanted to close doors on people who were different.”
The Rev. Trevor Hyde
Church: Berean Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Region: American Baptist Churches of Metro New York
Committee: Executive Committee, Finance Committee
The Rev. Trevor Hyde is pastor of the historic Berean Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., where Dr. Arlee Griffin Jr. is senior pastor. Hyde’s role is many-fold and includes supervising staff and servant-leaders; planning special worship and programs; overseeing the operational budget; managing IT services; and engaging the community. Additionally, he is liaison among the church and its subsidiaries, including Berean Credit Union, Berean Community & Family Life Center, Berean Gardens Senior Housing and Berean Housing Development Fund Corp. “Most meaningful to me about serving on the board of directors for ABHMS is the opportunity to partner with a Christ-centered organization that is striving to address the social ills of society with the Gospel of Christ as its lens and excellence as one of its main attributes.”
Dr. Barbara Ragland
Church: Third Baptist Church of Chicago
Region: American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago
Committee: Executive Committee, Audit Committee
Dr. Barbara Ragland serves as president of the Lydia Group Institute: Faith-based Strategies for Congregational Agility, Olympia Fields, Ill., which provides clergy, lay leaders and executives of faith-based organizations with leadership development and training aimed at operational efficiency and organizational agility. Clients have included congregations, seminaries and religious organizations from across the United States. No stranger to ministry with other boards of directors, Ragland finds that her strengths include organization development, change management and program development. Her experience includes mission with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the United Methodist Convention and the Ghana Baptist Convention. She looks forward to serving with ABHMS’ board because, she says, she seeks “to be a partner in helping to strengthen organizations, congregations and communities throughout the Baptist expanse.”
Quinton Romannose
Church: Watonga (Okla.) Indian Baptist Church
Region: American Baptist Churches of the Central Region
Committee: Governance Committee
Serving with respect for the sovereignty of each tribal nation, Quinton Romannose advocates for American Indian education policy at the federal, state, local and tribal government levels. He is president of Riverside Indian School, Anadarko, Okla., and serves on the Tribal Enrollment Committee and the Tribal Health Board for the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes. He also served with the National Indian Education Association and on the board of Bacone College, Muskogee, Okla. A lay leader known for his bridge-building abilities, he has been moderator for the Oklahoma Indian American Baptist Church and currently serves on the American Baptist Indian Caucus.
The Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson
Church: Concord Baptist Church of Christ, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Region: American Baptist Churches of Metro New York
Committee: Finance Committee
The Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson is the leading pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ. Having responded to God’s call on his life while still a teenager, he preached his first sermon at the age of 15 at the Southfield Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, OH, and was ordained at the age of 20 by the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Church Association. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Denison University with a BA in Religion and Black Studies; earned a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in NYC; and the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Dr. Simpson is an accomplished musician and teacher with a heart for pastoring God’s people.
The Rev. Karen T. Yee
Churches: New Life Christian Fellowship, Castro Valley, Calif., and Iu-Mien Friendship Baptist Church, Richmond, Calif.
Region: American Baptist Churches of the Central Pacific Coast
Committee: Executive Committee, Finance Committee, ABCUSA Finance/Budget Review Committee
Of her ministry as associate pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship, Castro Valley, Calif., the Rev. Karen T. Yee says that she enjoys serving a culturally and economically diverse congregation dedicated to living the gospel and making a difference. As English-speaking pastor at Iu-Mien Friendship Baptist Church, Richmond, Calif., Yee says, “I am excited about re-connecting this church and this ethnic group to the American Baptist family and to moving them toward becoming more involved with the community and social justice issues.” She earned a bachelor’s degree and multiple-subjects credential in graduate education at University of California, Berkeley, and an M.Div. at American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley.