Marsha Scipio - ABCUSA

Associate General Secretary for Missional Initiatives and Partnerships Rev. Marsha Scipio, brings a commitment to public service and social justice along with twenty years of non-profit management experience. She is responsible for developing partnerships with organizations who share similar values to ABC and who can bring resources to our pastors and congregations. Scipio, an attorney, was born in Trinidad & Tobago and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.Prior to joining American Baptist Churches USA, Scipio was the Executive Director of the Berean Community & Family Life Center, the non-profit organization of the historic Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. As the Executive Director, Scipio oversaw the completion of an affordable housing complex and the new Family Life Center, managed diverse health and wellness programs, partnered with other social service entities to facilitate community-wide health fairs, and directed youth development programs.As the former Site Director of Legal Outreach, a non-profit law-related education program in Brooklyn, Scipio was able to expand the program to its full capacity through keen strategic planning, developing partnerships with members of the legal, educational, and social services community, while effectively managing the program’s resources. Prior to working with Legal Outreach, Scipio developed a college and career leadership preparatory program for underserved youth in the South Bronx and East Harlem at the Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network. At Georgetown University Law Center, she represented clients in Georgetown’s Institute for Public Representation. She also worked at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services in their Legal Division and at the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division in the Educational Section.

After seven years at Legal Outreach, Marsha decided to follow the calling on her life to go into Ministry. Her interest in interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural ministry has led her to study preaching and religious dialogue in India, to engage in pastoral ministry and community development in Liberia at the historic Providence Baptist Church, to do missions in South Africa and Haiti, and to journey to Israel and Palestine territories to participate in Christian-Jewish interfaith dialogue. She is an Associate Minister at Berean Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr., where she served as the Youth Pastor. Scipio is passionate about teaching and preaching God’s Word. She is the Founder and Convener of Women Who Minister – a conference to empower and equip women to serve in ministry in the pulpit and the marketplace. She also serves on the Board of American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan, NY.

Scipio is a graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Psychology and African American Studies. She earned an M.A. in Psychology from New York University, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Scipio enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and eating good food! Quoting her favorite poet, Maya Angelou, she says, “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now!” Gratefully adding, “God’s got this!”

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ABC of Vermont and New Hampshire Announces Opening of Applications for Executive Minister

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 6/24/24)—The American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire region has announced the opening of applications for its next Executive Minister. The Executive Minister will serve as theologian, evangelist, visionary, conservator of the faith, and biblical role model, as well as promote a spirit of unity within the diverse array […]

Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain Installed as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 6/24/24)—Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain was installed as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA on Thursday evening, June 13, at the Federated Church of Green Lake, Wis. The installation was an integral part of the American Baptist Churches USA Board of General Ministries meeting, which was held June 12-14 […]

American Baptist Chief Financial Officers Come Together for Time of Connection

7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, […]

Recognizing Juneteenth on June 19

Juneteenth honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The name “Juneteenth” is a blend of two words: “June” and “nineteenth.” It is believed to be the oldest African-American holiday, with annual celebrations on June 19th in different parts of the country dating back to 1866. The Juneteenth anniversary commemorates the arrival of 2,000 […]

ABHMS’ Intercultural Ministries to Kick Off Multi-Year Intergenerational Faith Initiative Focusing on Latino/a Communities

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 6/18/24)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) proudly announces the first Summit of a new leadership initiative, Conferencia de Liderazgo Intergeneracional (CLI), on June 21 and 22, 2024, at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Hosted by Latino Ministries, an arm of ABHMS’ Intercultural Ministries, this inaugural event is a collaboration […]

Former ABHMS Staff Member, Pastor, Rev. Richard G. Harris Dies

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 5/28/24)—The original news release published May 28, 2024, that announced the passing of the Rev. Richard G. Harris (Rick) has been updated to reflect newly scheduled memorial services. Harris, 78, former national manager of American Baptist Personnel Services (ABPS) at American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), died May 22 in […]

2024 PBA Missiological Conversation Explores Trending Authoritarianism in American Christianity

The Philadelphia Baptist Association (PBA) and American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) co-hosted the highly anticipated 2024 PBA Missiological Conversation at ABHMS’ Leadership and Mission Building in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, on May 2. This hybrid event convened both on-site and online participants under the theme “Christian Belief + White Supremacy + Authoritarian Governance = […]

Registration Now Open for “Sanctuary Safety” Webinar Presented by Church Mutual Insurance Group

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 5/14/24)—American Baptists are invited to attend a webinar with Church Mutual Insurance Group, led by Risk Control Specialist Gavin Davis, entitled: “ABCUSA | Sanctuary Safety: Active Shooter and more…,” held on Tuesday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. EDT/10:30 a.m. PDT. In this webinar, Davis will be talking about practical ways […]

ABHMS Reminds of Ongoing Need for Prayers and Donations to Help Weather-Ravaged Regions

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 5/13/24)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) renews its call for prayers and donations during this season of deadly weather across the continental United States that has resulted in at least seven deaths and vast property loss since late April. As of Monday, May 6, residents of 39 states came under […]