Advisory Board & Staff

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Nelson

BOARD PRESIDENT

Desiring to see God’s people efficiently armed with the knowledge and reality of God, Dr. Jacqueline Nelson, is the vessel God is using to minister a transforming word coupled with empowerment and a spirit of excellence to bring about deliverance to the kingdom of God. An anointed woman of God, her ministry mission is to challenge you, to provoke you to change, to give you hope, and to reveal the strongholds of the enemy in the Body of Christ. Once you experience her ministry, your life will never be the same.

With a deep passion and love for people, Dr. Nelson currently serves as Assistant to the Pastor in the areas of Pastoral Care and formerly served as Christian Education Leader at Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit, MI where Dr. Edward L. Branch is the Senior Pastor. Dr. Nelson currently serves as Ministry Advisor at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor John E. Duckworth. With over 25 years’ experience Dr. Nelson is a sought after consultant, advisor, lecturer, trainer, and life coach. Many of her references expound on the uncanny ability of Dr. Nelson to develop, organize and set in motion ministries that meet the needs of its congregation and community communicating the message of Christ. She is revered for her compassion, integrity, and leadership.

Dr. Nelson has traveled throughout the world preaching and teaching in national and international conventions, conferences, and churches. Her ministry gift has touched hundreds, young and old, she is a woman totally sold out for the kingdom of God. Amid the hectic pace of ministry, Dr. Nelson serves as Adjunct Professor at Ashland Theological Seminary. In this capacity she has taught, Homiletics, Pastoral Care and Preaching Practicum. As a member of several boards, Dr. Nelson currently serves on the boards of Heritage Center and Ashland Theological Seminary. Dr. Nelson also serves as President of the Michigan District Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education.

Dr. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri, and serves as Staff Cytotechnologist at Henry Ford Health Systems. To her credit, she has attained a Masters of Arts, Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary. She is happily married to Richard A. Nelson, her husband for over 25 years. To that union, she is the proud mother of one daughter Aletha Julia-Marie, son-in-law Gerald Michael Kuhn, and grandsons, Jermale Demetrius, Gerald Michael and Daniel Allen.

Pastor John E. Duckworth

Board Member

John Edward Duckworth was called under, licensed and ordained by the Rev. Dr. Robert E. Starghill, Sr. of the Samaritan Missionary Baptist of Detroit, Michigan. He served faithfully and loyally under Pastor Starghill until accepting the Call from Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church of Westland, MI in 2002. Pastor Starghill remained Dr. Duckworth’s Pastor until his retirement in 2015. Immediately following Pastor Starghill’s retirement, Dr. Duckworth was honored to have a new Pastor the Rev. Dr. James C. Perkins of the Greater Christ Baptist Church.

Dr. Duckworth holds dual Bachelor Degrees in Business Administration and Marketing & Management from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. He also earned an Associates of Arts Degree in Advertising, while attending Northwood University. Dr. Duckworth then earned a Master of Divinity Degree at the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His education includes international study of Biblical Geography and Archeology in Israel and Trans-Cultural Ministry in Ghana, West Africa. Dr. Duckworth then earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Duckworth serves as an instructor at the Heritage Center for Religious Studies and as an adjunct Professor at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Dr. Duckworth serves as Vice Chair of the Political Action Committee of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, Inc. Dr. Duckworth serves as the Vice President of the Inkster Ministerial Alliance. Dr. Duckworth also served as the 2^nd Vice Moderator of the Michigan District Baptist Association.

Dr. Duckworth has a wholistic view of the ministry and feels that the church should be an integral part of the community. He has implemented relevant ministries at Gethsemane: from the Body & Soul Health and Well Being to the Sage Ministry (a full service senior’s ministry). Dr. Duckworth’s commitment to the community involves annual events and he serves the community through his leadership to the various boards: Wholistic Living Community Corporation, Henry Ford Health Systems, Interfaith Health & Hope Coalition, and Authority Health.

Pastor Duckworth has challenged GMBC to become an “Energized church that will Empower families so that we may Encounter the community.” The disciples of GMBC are catching a view of this vision of fulfilling the needs of the community and building God’s kingdom here on earth under the leadership of Dr. Duckworth and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Dr. Duckworth is married to the former Nicole Latrice Hopkins of Philadelphia, PA. Nicole is a graduate of Millersville University and LaSalle University. They are proud parents of triplets, affectionately known as D3, Gabrielle, John, II and Nicholas.

Pastor Orville K. Littlejohn

Board Member

Pastor Orville K. Littlejohn has served as pastor of Messiah Baptist Church since April 2000. Since that time he has led the congregation in the visionary mission of evangelization, education, edification, and exhortation. He is committed to the execution of the commandment to “Shepherd the Flock by the Order of the Most High.”

Pastor Lawrence C. Glass, Jr.

Board Member

Rev. Dr. Lawrence C. Glass, Jr., accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1976. He united with New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church under his father in the ministry, the late Rev. John J. Tillman.

Pastor Glass acknowledged his call into the ministry on December 4, 1979. He was ordained on June 29, 1980. During his tenure at New Mt. Moriah (1977-1987), Pastor Glass held several positions including Superintendent of the Sunday School, Deacon and Associate Minister. He has two children that he loves dearly, Jennifer M. and Daniel J.

He attended William Tyndale Bible College from 1983-1991. Pastor Glass continues to refresh and renew his spiritual walk with ongoing reading materials and seminars.

In January 1987, Pastor Glass united with Christ Baptist Cathedral (CBC) under the leadership of then Pastor J. Douglas Wiley where he assumed the Assistant Pastor role and was overseer of the Learning Center.

Pastor Glass was called to the pastorate of El Bethel Baptist Church on Friday, June 15, 1990. He preached his first pastoral message on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17, 1990. On August 15, 2013 Pastor Glass received his Doctrine of Divinity from the New Covenant University.

Under his leadership El Bethel quickly became the church, “Where the Presence of God Makes Everybody, Somebody Special.” The church has grown from approximately 65 to well over 2500.

The services are filled with Insight, Inspiration, Instruction, and Empowerment. The Praise and Worship services are designed to reach up to God and reach out to man; while giving honor to One and help to the other.

Pastor Glass is a dynamic, energetic and internationally known preacher and teacher who have the ability to expound on the scriptures with simple elegance. His ability to take traditional precepts and transform them into contemporary practices helps El Bethel to remain real and relevant to saints and sinners of our day. His desire to make worship available to all has led El Bethel to three services each Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, and 12:15pm.

His pastoral associates have labeled him with the following – a man of integrity, a man of commitment, a man of compassion and a visionary. He has a fun personality and a great love for God’s people. “PG” as he is affectionately known has a profound ability to relate to the young and the old alike. He promotes Christian unity and family values.

Pastor Glass has implemented many ministries and restructured many existing ministries at El Bethel Church that he senses are from God. He believes that Great Challenges demands Great Faith that brings Great Changes and Great Glory to God! His time thus far at El Bethel has been filled will Great Accomplishments that were the result of Great Challenges.

Pastor Glass’ secret weapon is his prayer life and that of his 300+ Prayer Warriors who partners with him to fast and pray for him, his family, the church members and El Bethel ministry every day and every hour of the day. The El Bethel Church family has been blessed spiritually, physically, and financially by the anointing that the Lord has placed on Pastor Glass’ life and ministry as he minds the master and ministers to mankind throughout the city and the nation.

El Bethel Church family continue to believe and witness that Pastor Glass has the courage of Joshua, the strength of David, the faith of Paul, the prayer life of Daniel, the wisdom of Solomon and he fears the Lord like Job. He is a man of God, unmoved by Satan, yet determined through the direction of the Holy Spirit to carry out the vision of the ministry given to him concerning our El Bethel Church family by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Carlynn D. Nichols, LMSW

Board Member

Carlynn Nichols brings more than 20 years of experience in human services and non-profit leadership. She began her career as a home-based therapist at Southwest Counseling Solutions, and rose to the position of Director of Children, Youth and Families during her 14-year tenure. Following Southwest Counseling Solutions, she worked as the Director of Children’s Initiatives for Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority.

Pastor Darryl S. Moore

Board Member

Rev. Darryl S. Moore was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He is the last of eight children born to Ennis and Elizabeth Moore, Sr. He is a devoted husband to Rosemary and loving father to two children, Christopher and Nia.

Educated in the Detroit Public Schools and graduating from Cass Technical High School, Reverend Moore earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wayne State University. He furthered his education at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, as an Archibald Carey Scholar in Ethics and Theology. In 2000, he completed the Summer Leadership Institute at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Rev. Joelynn T. Stokes, Esq.

Board Member

Rev. Joelynn T. Stokes, Esq., is an ordained Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) and serves as 2^nd Vice President of the Connectional AME Women In Ministry. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA), Hofstra Law School (JD), University of Detroit (MA Religious Studies) and Ashland Seminary (MA Counseling), where she has served as adjunct faculty and as a member of the Advisory Board. In addition to her private law practice, she holds the office of General Counsel for the 4^th Episcopal District of the AME Church. Joelynn loves to preach God’s Word and is blessed to have sermons published in The African American Pulpit and The Living Pulpit; and her biblical insights quoted in Joshua and Judges: Text @ Context. Learn more about her at www.jtstokesandassoc.com.

Rev. Regina D. Jemison, Esq.

Director of Administration and Academic Affairs

Regina Diane Jemison is a bi-vocational Christian Minister of the Gospel and State of Michigan licensed lawyer. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and educated in the Detroit Public School System, graduating from Cass Technical High School. She obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School and a Master of Divinity from Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit. She has researched, practiced and taught legal instruction and other disciplines since 1993 at various undergraduate and graduate levels at the following schools: University of Detroit Mercy, Spring Arbor University and William Tyndale College. She has owned her own law practice since 1995 and has served faithfully in the Christian church in various leadership capacities for over 27 years. Her call to ministry was affirmed by Pastor Christine Thompson of the Christ Lutheran Church and she was ordained by Pastor Edward L. Branch of Third New Hope Baptist Church.

Her love and gift for the written word has resulted in many expressions: published poetry; proposals, strategies & grants for Christian ministries and non-profits; and editing credits for many important published and non-published works. She has written successful proposals for fellow clergy resulting in a series of published articles on mission and ministry in the national publication, The Lutheran as well as local metro Detroit publications. Rev. Jemison was one of three co-authors of Following the Way -- A Strategy for African American Ministry in the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church This writing created funding, staffed positions, and has directly impacted approximately 15 Metro Detroit congregations and has more broadly impacted over 147 congregations in Southeastern Michigan. In 2012, Love Healing Press published her first poetry and prose compilation: Soul Clothes. This book is her own compilation on race, God, humanity and love. She is currently working on her next compilation, Soul Clothes for Metamorphosis: The Art of Living Effectively & Full of Joy. This work will focus on empowering people in navigating change, being effective leaders, living a life of forgiveness, and creating new seasons — all with joy.

In her ongoing efforts to be rigorously obedient to God and prompt the people of God to give faithfully of their time, talents, energy, and money, Rev. Jemison has served in many capacities. Some of her assignments have included: serving as chair of evangelism, co-chair of stewardship ministry, Christian Education teacher and team leads for different denominations, and various other undertakings in the Christian Church for almost three decades. Early on in her service Rev. Jemison was consecrated as a Deacon of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the Detroit Lutheran Coalition. She also served as a Board of Director for Trinity Lutheran Seminary for 12 years and was chairperson of their Development Committee for 8 years. Other ways Rev. Jemison has served God’s people are by creating the Christ at Large Legacy III and W.O.M.E.N. of Purpose organizations. These are two Christian fellowship organizations she co-founded that are mutual women’s ministries facilitating women in bible study, meditation, self care and the practical application of God’s Word in living out their life’s purpose effectively. Most recently she is forming the Earth Economy Collective non-profit in which she envisions pooling natural and people resources to assist in creating healthy and whole individuals, families, and communities.

Currently, she continues to serve as an Associate Minister at Third New Hope Baptist Church where her pastor is Rev. Dr. Edward L. Branch. She also joyously serves as the Director of Administration and Academic Affairs of the Heritage Center for Religious Studies. The Heritage Center is an amazing school created by Pastor Branch, licensed by the State of Michigan, to equip ministers and laity in serving the Body of Christ. Rev. Jemison believes her life’s work is always seeking new ways to hone her voice for justice and wholeness as told in the scriptures, so that she may continue to find new ways to give voice to others and be a useful vessel for God’s purposes.

In her life, law practice and spiritual care of people, Rev. Jemison is a tireless advocate, drum major for justice, anointed preacher and intimate intercessory prayer warrior. She is always at work studying and putting into practice new and distinct ways to serve people and fervently doing what God says, with a grateful heart and joyful obedience. As a bi-vocational Christian Minister she believes the gospel has the ability to empower and guide people in living lives that honor God. She preaches and teaches hope, redemption, and the spirit of forgiveness with practical application that translates into love for all. She is a compassionate and skilled companion to people in need, certified life coach, and counselor of those in crisis. By the power of the Holy Spirit, she gives people in all kinds of circumstances and conditions the access and option to navigate life with God’s presence and discover for themselves: X happened... Now What? Her life is dedicated to helping people realize that through thoughtful choices and action, the power of God, and living by discernment of the Holy Spirit; people can be their divine self at all times — even under exigent life circumstances.