Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy

ABOUT

A B O U T U S

Because the radical message of holiness requires a fresh momentum of bold women leaders, Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy is committed to advancing Christ’s Kingdom by engaging, empowering, and equipping women to lead in the Church at every level.

VISION

We envision God’s Kingdom reality where the biblical foundations of gender equality are fully lived out across the Church as women and men lead together, following their holy calling.
MISSION
Advancing Christ’s Kingdom by engaging, empowering, and equipping women to lead at every level in the Church, by:
- Networking, training, affirming, and inspiring through biennial conferences
- Ongoing networking and mentoring across denominations (Mentoring Initiative currently under development)
- Collaborating with denominational leaders to support their women clergy
- Providing a resource hub for expert research, articles, and teaching
WE BELIEVE
- Scripture affirms God’s call and blessing on both women and men.
- From the beginning of Creation, God intended men and women relate to each other and to the world in egalitarian ways.
- The Holy Spirit has been poured out on God’s daughters and sons.
- The full participation of women at every level of ministry is a core value of our Wesleyan/Holiness heritage.
- Christ’s Church is most effective when women and men work together, both leading based on gifts and calling, not gender.
- We are stronger together than we are alone; a collaborative effort across denominations is required to see God’s Kingdom mandate fulfilled.

Partner Denominations

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HOW WE STARTED

Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy was initiated through the vision of Dr. Susie Stanley, a minister in the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) and a professor of theology and church history at Western Evangelical Seminary (and later at Messiah College)...

CONTINUE READING

...After bringing together women ministers in her own denomination for mutual encouragement and support in 1989, she began strategizing on a larger scale and dreamed of bringing together women ministers of sister denominations. That same year, women in the Wesleyan Church held a similar conference.

Stanley developed contacts in the Wesleyan Church, the Free Methodist Church, the Church of the Nazarene, the Salvation Army, the Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical Friends. Although their denominations ordained women to the ministry, many women ministers in these churches felt isolated and alone, especially those who were pastors. So the women in Stanley’s network planned a conference that would gather women from across North America. Brought together in Christian conference, they would find strength from learning each other’s stories and know that they were not alone. Seed money was provided by leaders from several denominations, underscoring support for the project’s objectives.

The first conference in this series was named “Come to the Water.” It was held in April 1994 at a retreat center in Glorieta, N.M., where 375 clergy women participated. The gathering was characterized by strong preaching, spirited song, ample testimony, and personal sharing. Many participants stated that it was the best conference they had ever attended.

Interest and enthusiasm was so strong that another conference was held in 1996, and conferences have continued to be held every other year thereafter. Each biennial conference has drawn hundreds of participants.

In the interim between conferences, WHWC has published newsletters, booklets on issues for women in ministry, a book titled Faith and Gender Equity: Lesson Plans Across the College Curriculum (2007), and used social media to keep participants connected.

Susie Stanley chaired the organization until 2006. Today, the chair rotates among representatives from the sponsoring denominations.

WHWC provides one of the few platforms where women clergy of Wesleyan Holiness churches, along with women students preparing for ministry in Wesleyan Holiness colleges and universities, can meet together in interdenominational fellowship and support. Throughout its history, WHWC has remained true to its call to develop and encourage female leadership and ministry.

Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy (WHWC) Board of Directors

Each board member represents one of four supporting denominations. The board members elect the officers of WHWC.

Rev. Dr. Priscilla Hammond

President

The Wesleyan Church

Priscilla Hammond is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. She serves as the Director of Operations at Kaleo Church, a church restart in Piedmont, SC. She is department chair and associate professor of business at Southern Wesleyan University. Priscilla has served on staff at 12Stone Church in metro Atlanta and Skyline Church in Southern California. She was the executive assistant to the General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church while pursuing her doctorate, for which she studied ministerial effectiveness in The Wesleyan Church. She has degrees from Georgia State University, the University of Hawai’i, Southern Wesleyan University, and Indiana Wesleyan University. She and her husband Mike reside in South Carolina.

Rev. Vanilda Reyes de Noyes

Vice-President
Free Methodist Representative

Free Methodist Church USA

Rev. Vanilda Reyes de Noyes is an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church. She is a proud Dominican-born daughter of Free Methodist pastors and grew up in New York City and Cleveland, Ohio. Vanilda obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Social Work and Psychology) from Greenville University and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the state of Ohio and works in private practice. Vanilda is passionate about multiethnic and multigenerational ministry, worship, and the intersection of faith and emotional health. She serves as Associate Pastor at Iglesia Nueva Vida in Cleveland, Ohio. Vanilda loves a good cup of coffee, conversation, and has a life-long love of reading. She and her husband Topher have 3 children.

Rev. Tatum M. Osbourne

Church of God Representative

Church of God, Anderson

Tatum Monique Osbourne is an ordained minister of the Church of God (Anderson, IN). A native of the beautiful island of Barbados, she was raised and educated in Brooklyn, New York. Rev. Osbourne studied Christian Ministry at Mid-America Christian University and has been active in Christian ministry for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mid-America Christian University and is currently working on her Master's in Counseling with a clinical mental health emphasis. Rev. Osbourne serves as the Executive Pastor of the Refuge Church of God in Brooklyn, New York, under the leadership of Rev. Kevin Osbourne. She has received two citations from her city for her impact as a leading Christian woman and Community Advocate (2014 and 2015). Rev. Osbourne authored her first book in 2015, entitled The Inspired Life: 400 Power Thoughts to Inspire Your Life.

Rev. Christine Youn Hung

Nazarene Representative

Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Christine Youn Hung is a pastor, writer, speaker, and the Assistant District Superintendent for the Northern California District Church of the Nazarene. She is also the founder of NOW Movement, a Church of the Nazarene grassroots initiative coordinating efforts of Nazarenes emboldened by the Spirit to pursue racial justice. Christine presently serves on the Regional Course of Study Advisory Committee for USA/Canada Church of the Nazarene and on Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership at Nazarene Theological Seminary advisory council. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry in the Ecclesial Mission and Leadership track at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Christine takes deep joy in her husband, Albert, and their 4 amazing children.

Commissioner Jolene K. Hodder
Salvation Army Representative

The Salvation Army

Commissioner Jolene Hodder is a Salvation Army officer with a passion for leading women to Christ and then equipping, motivating, and preparing them for effective ministry. She is the author of three published books, A Bend in The Road, Walking in White, and Sensational Grace. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Los Angeles (1985) and a Master of Religion degree fr om Trevecca Nazarene University (2018). She was a 2021 recipient of the She Leads America award and was honored with a congressional recognition. Jolene has served in the Army’s Western Territory, Southern Territory, as well as International Headquarters and eight years in Kenya. She currently ministers as the USA National Secretary for Program in Alexandria, Virginia. Jolene is the proud mother of one daughter, Jessica, who is married to her wonderful son-in-law, Tyler, and she adores spending time with her wonderful grandsons Everett and Oliver.

Rev. Carla Working

Wesleyan Representative

The Wesleyan Church

Rev. Carla Working is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. She currently serves as the Director of Clergy Care and Development for denominational headquarters, working with students and pastors in their ministry journey. She also serves as the Worship Pastor for her church in Huntington, Indiana and chairs the Board of Ministerial Development in her district. Prior to serving in her current role, she and her husband were co-pastors in Connecticut and Indiana for 10 years. She has been serving in full-time ministry for two decades and has a passion for equipping and empowering men and women to serve the local church and community. She is energized by walking outside and exploring new areas when she travels. Carla and her husband have four children.

Staff

Rev. Robbie Cansler
Conference Director
Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Robbie Cansler is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. She pastors the Mission Church of the Nazarene, a multicultural and intergenerational congregation in Hammond, IN, where she has pastored for more than a decade. In addition to pastoring, Robbie is also a student at Northern Seminary, pursuing her DMin in women, theology, and leadership. She is a writer, with her first book expected to be published in July of 2025. Robbie has been married to Mac for 12 years, and they have 4 children under the age of 7, she views her children as a beautiful expansion to her ministry call. WHWC has a special place in Pastor Robbie's heart, she attended her first conference as a college student, has served on the planning committee for 2 conference cycles, and is humbled and excited to now serve as the conference director!

Rev. Christy Dickt
Conference Coordinator
Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Christy Dickt is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Christy currently serves as co-pastor with her husband, Rev. Stacy Dickt, at Pittsburg Church of the Nazarene. In addition to preaching, Christy is passionate about discipling and journeying with others in finding freedom in Christ through their true identity in God. Christy also enjoys the logistical planning of events and celebrations. Christy delights in spending time and traveling with her family. Christy and her husband, Stacy, have 3 daughters Ally, Sarah, and Emily, one son in law, Noah, and a grandson, Jensen.

Rev. Janae Meyer

Communications Director

Church of the Nazarene

Janae Meyer is a pastor, artist, and lifelong Nazarene. She was born and raised in Northwest Ohio and has lived in Oregon for most of her adult life. She currently resides in New York where she serves as a lead pastor and Assistant to the District Superintendent of the Upstate New York District of the Church of the Nazarene. She earned a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and is working on her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching with a focus on preaching holiness. Janae enjoys traveling the country with her husband, Austin, and three children—Wesley, Nathan, and Cora.

Rev. Nicki Rockwell

Communications Coordinator

Free Methodist Church USA

Rev. Nicki Rockwell is an ordained pastor in the Free Methodist Church. She serves as the Youth Pastor at Grayling Free Methodist in Grayling Michigan. She has been a youth pastor for over 12 years and still loves hanging out with the teens in her church. She has Bachelor's degrees in Youth Ministry and Psychology from Spring Arbor University and her M.DIV from Wesley Seminary. When she's not working, Nicki enjoys international travel and plans on visiting as many Biblical sites as possible.