Survival and Love: A Womanist Preaching Series

“Call out to me and I will answer you and will show you great and mighty things, secrets you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3. This scripture has encouraged Donna and motivated her to seek God’s’ Word and God’s will for her life. Donna Childs was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the Christian home of Deacon Martin Childs Sr. and Mother Gleneva Childs. She commenced and attained her Christian roots at the Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, where she is still a current and faithful member. Presently, Donna serves as the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle. She was called to that position in August, 2020 and installed on September 27, 2020. In the past, she has served as Interim Pastor, Associate Minister, Christian Education Ministry Leader, New Members Orientation Teacher and associate Bible Study Teacher for Tabernacle Community Baptist Church. Donna has always exhibited a gift for teaching and a desire for motivating and inspiring other individuals through her words and the Word. She has always possessed a hunger and love of the Gospel. The Lord nurtured and flourished this hunger and called Donna to preach the Gospel in 2000. She was licensed in 2002 and ordained to formal ministry in 2013. Outside of Tabernacle, Donna most recently served as the Director and Principal of the New Testament Christian Academy, having served there for thirteen years. Prior to New Testament, Donna worked at Messmer High School for over a decade, where she served as Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, Athletic Director, Theology Teacher and Girls Varsity Basketball Coach. The genesis of her career began at US Bank and General Electric Company after completing her undergraduate degree. Understanding the importance of being equipped and serving as an effectual vessel, Donna has attained much preparation for her journey and calling by earning her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Marquette University and two graduate degrees from Cardinal Stritch University of which one included a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. She also earned the Master of Divinity Degree from Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. and she completed and earned her Doctorate of Ministry (D Min.) degree at Northern Seminary. She is grateful for the open doors God provided for educational opportunities and advancement. Donna has been fortunate and blessed to acquire many awards, appointments, honors and accomplishments over the years; most notably a certificate of participation in the FBI Citizens Academy Program (2006), recipient of the “USPS Women Putting Their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee Award” (2005) and an induction into the first class of the Rufus King Athletic Hall of Fame (2019). Donna is the founder of Christian Fellowship Sportz, she serves as a Chaplain for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and serves as a mentor. “Pastor Donna”, as she is affectionately called, has been blessed to facilitate, teach and speak at diverse workshops, services, conferences and retreats. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, writing, reading and adventurous feats. Her greatest joy is pleasing the Lord and teaching God’s Word. She is forever grateful for all that her mother and father deposited into her. For all that has occurred, is occurring and is to come, she says, “To God Be The Glory!”

The Rev. Kerri N. Allen is a Presbyterian minister, a Reformed and womanist theologian and ethicist. She serves as the Director of Mission and Spiritual Care for Advocate Aurora Health in the Greater Milwaukee Market. Prior to responding to a call in ministry, Kerri had a first career in politics, serving as a political appointee at multiple levels of government, including serving as a legislative assistant in the United States Senate with an expertise in healthcare policy. Now, Kerri uses her diverse experience to work toward eliminating structural inequity in healthcare. Originally from St. Paul, MN, when Kerri is not working you will find her buried in a book, hiking, traveling, watching sports, cooking or spending time with one of her many nieces or nephews.

Minister Janice Toliver is Sr. Associate Minister and Executive Assistant to the Sr. Pastor at Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church of Madison, WI. She is a native of Chicago, IL and rooted in Longview TX. Minister Toliver answered the Call to ministry on September 22, 2015 and was licensed by Hon/Rev Everett Mitchell on June 26, 2016. Minister Toliver has an Associate Degree with Honors in Business Management and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She acquired a Certificate of Theology & Ministry in 2017 from Princeton Theological Seminary. Minister Toliver has served in the community as a past member of the City of Madison Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative, and past Board member of MUM (now Just Dane). She continues to advocate for the underrepresented and disenfranchised by means of prayer and being available to those in need. Currently, in addition to serving the congregation at Christ the Solid Rock, she walks in the calling of online ministry, leading “Minister’s Minutes w/Minister Toliver” via Facebook Live Mon – Fri at 11:30am CST bringing forth a fellowship of worship, Word, and wisdom. Mother of four adult children, and primary caregiver to her elderly mother, Minister Toliver loves praising, preaching, teaching, motivating, and sharing the Word of God. She is always ready with a listening ear, compassionate spirit, and inspirational encouragement.

Reverend Roxanne Bryant is an author, teacher, preacher and the founding Pastor of Tangible Word Ministries which is based in Milwaukee, WI. Her charismatic approach to teaching and preaching the word of God has captivated Christian audiences with relevant, inspirational, and transforming messages in the United States and abroad. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL, she holds an earned Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Education and a Master of Divinity. Licensed to preach in 1999 by Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, and later obtaining national ordination through American Baptist Churches USA by Rev. Dr. John R. Walton Jr., Roxanne went on to serve in a number of capacities including serving on the ABC Churches of Wisconsin Ordination Council which examines the theological soundness of clergy before nationally recognized ordinations are granted. After founding Tangible Word Church she accepted appointment as the Director of Education for Wisconsin First Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ under General Board Bishop Sedgwick Daniels. This position afforded her the opportunity to train and prepare rising leaders in the 80 churches within the jurisdiction. She currently serves under Archbishop Alfred Owens, Presiding Prelate of Mount Calvary Holy Churches of America and is Senior Pastor of New Horizons Integrated Ministries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A passionate educational advocate, Pastor Bryant serves as Dean of Students serving over 700 middle and high school students in South Bend, Indiana. Pastor Bryant has received numerous commendations and awards such as inclusion in three editions of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”, recognition as a “Community Jewel” by the Milwaukee Community Journal, and recognition by the United States Postal Service as a “Woman Putting Her Stamp on Metro Milwaukee.” The author of three books, the most recent entitled, “When Boaz doesn’t Want Ruth” rose to the top 200 on Amazon Kindle in the Christian Dating category. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking for her culinary brands – Yummy’s and Keep Stirring and hosting multiple online Bible reading and study groups with over 3,000 members. A newlywed, Pastor Roxanne is enjoying life and love with her Boaz, Harry Bryant who is an amazing chef and graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute which boasts alumni such as Julia Childs and Mario Bartoli.

Reverend Clarissa L. Martinelli was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, the only daughter of Reverend Willie and Sister Emma Griffin. She has two brothers, Army First Sargent Eric Griffin, retired and United States Marine Sargent Anthony Griffin. After a stellar enlisted and officer career in the United States Navy, Reverend Martinelli retired after over 24 years of active Naval service with the rank of Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps. In 2007, she accepted her call to ministry and was ordained an Itinerant Elder at the 131st Session of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Chicago Annual Conference, becoming the fourth-generation of ordained African Methodist Episcopal clergy. Rev. Martinelli is a greatly sought-after spiritual, community and military leader in both her community, district and the Wisconsin Annual Conference. She is extremely active and engaged in the life and care of the West Bend, WI and Washington County communities. Reverend Martinelli educational background include: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at California State University, Hayward; Master of Science in Public Health (magna cum laude) Trident University; Masters of Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is the humble Pastor, servant-leader of Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church, West Bend, Wisconsin. Pastor Clarissa has been married to Mr. Martin J. Martinelli, United States Navy retired for 39 years; they are Gold Star parents of Interior Communications Specialist Third Class Marissa Martinelli; daughters Biancha Martinelli (Robert Broadwell) and Sophia Martinelli, and son, Lieutenant (Surface Warfare Specialist) Nicolas Martinelli, veteran, United States Navy. The proud grandparent of Amme Joy and pet parents to Cookie, Hachi and Sadie. Reverend Lieutenant Martinelli’s mantra, “Find a job you like and you’ll never work a day in your life.” As a servant-leader for God and country, she is Woman! She is Wife, Mom, Nonna, Pet Mom, Sister, and Aunt. As Leader, she is the basic, the foundation, and the fundamental part of society. She has found divine joy in life – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Yes, she has not worked a day in her life! To the glory of God. Amen!