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.
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. Olivia Metcalf
President
Church of the Nazarene
Olivia Metcalf is a fourth generation elder in the Church of the Nazarene. She has co-pastored three churches with her husband Dustin, and served alongside him as one of the University Chaplains at Northwest Nazarene University. Currently she is the District Superintendent of the Upstate New York District for the Church of the Nazarene. She serves as a trustee for Eastern Nazarene College and Nazarene Theological Seminary and is a member of the USA/Canada Women’s Clergy council. Her role with WHWC started on the planning committee in 2015 and she moved to the board in 2020. Olivia has a deep passion for justice and successfully defended her dissertation “The Prison is our Parish: A Historical, Theological, and Praxis Based Exploration of Prison in the United States from a Wesleyan-Holiness Perspective” in 2022. She loves traveling the world with her husband and two sons, Andrew and Ethan. She loves a good cup of coffee and deep discussion about how to live a cruciform life.
Rev. Dr. Priscilla Hammond
Vice-President Wesleyan Representative
The Wesleyan Church
Priscilla Hammond is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. She is the associate director of the Flex Ministry Program 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. 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. Shannon New Spangler
Treasurer
Church of God, Anderson

Rev. Shannon New Spangler is a passionate and empathetic preacher/teacher who loves to read, travel, and hang out with her family. She has served the Church of God in several ministry positions over the last 20 years and has a Master of Divinity from the Anderson University School of Theology. Currently, Shannon serves as a staff chaplain at IU Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana and she is working with Indiana’s CASA program. Shannon is passionate about social justice, the unity of believers, following Jesus, and helping people to feel loved. Shannon married her husband, Brett Spangler, in 2005 and they have two sons, Judah and Isaiah.
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. Vanilda Reyes de Noyes
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 at MetroHealth Hospital. Vanilda is passionate about multiethnic and multigenerational ministry, worship, and the intersection of faith and emotional health. She loves a good cup of coffee, conversation, and has a life-long love of reading. She serves as Co-Pastor with her husband Topher, and they have 3 children.

Rev. Christine Hung
Nazarene Representative
Church of the Nazarene
Rev. Christine Youn Hung is a pastor, writer, speaker, and the Director of Pastoral Development for the Northern California District Church of the Nazarene. Prior to joining the Northern California District Staff, Christine served as pastor of Trinity Church Rowland Heights Campus, a multi-site, multi-ethnic church serving in the Los Angeles area. Christine also served as a missionary teacher in Taipei, Taiwan for three years. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Ecclesial Mission and Leadership. Christine is also the founder of NOW Movement , a grassroots initiative coordinating efforts of Nazarenes in USA and Canada who are emboldened by the Spirit to pursue racial justice. 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.


Staff

Rev. Soo Ji Alvarez
Conference Director
Free Methodist Church
Soo Ji Alvarez is a creative leader and strategic thinker who thrives when working on complex projects in various scenarios. She is the Lead Pastor of The Avenue, a multi-ethnic Free Methodist church in Riverside, CA. She is also the Program Coordinator for How To Fuel Your Passion, an online program designed to equip Asian American and Latina women faith leaders and the Conference Director for Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. She loves reaching people in the margins, bringing reconciliation to communities and raising up passionate followers of Jesus Christ. She has been ordained with the Free Methodist Church since 2011 and has been a national speaker and strong advocate for women in ministry, gender equality, diversity, justice and the AAPI community. Soo Ji is Korean-Canadian and loves doing life and ministry with her Mexican-American husband Joe. They have 2 amazing kids, Juaquin and Nayara.
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. Heather Baker Utley
Communications Director
Free Methodist Church
Heather is a pastor, teacher, and communicator currently serving God in San Antonio, TX. Born and raised in Ohio, she relocated to the Pacific Northwest as a young adult. There, she served in church and non-profit ministries for 15 years while also pursuing ordination in the Free Methodist Church and earning a Master of Divinity from Seattle Pacific Seminary. Since 2019, she's been ministering in San Antonio, TX, first as a church planter, and now as District Leader for South Texas Free Methodist churches and a Teaching and Communications Pastor at The Park Community Church. Heather also works in freelance web design for Free Methodist Church USA. She is married to Clay, also a Free Methodist pastor, and they have two middle-grade sons.
Rev. Janae Meyer
Communications Coordinator
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 as an 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.  

Past Presidents

Rev. Dr. Carron Odokara
Past President
Church of God, Anderson
Rev. Dr. Carron Odokara has worked as an IT manager at Ford Motor Company while she served 10 years as an associate pastor at Farmington Hills Church of God in Michigan. In the past, Carron has been the Church of God Board of Directors Chairperson in Michigan, and the national Ministries Council Vice-Chair. Carron has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, and a Master of Divinity degree. Carron’s passion in ministry led to her Ph.D. research on racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion across U.S. Christian denominations.
Rev. Julie Gray
Past President
Free Methodist Church
Julie Gray is an ordained pastor in the Free Methodist Church, currently serving in Phoenix, AZ. She is a country girl in whom God planted a love for the city and diverse peoples during her 24 years serving in an inner-city church in Seattle, WA. She and her husband, Marvin, also an ordained minister, have four children. Julie's passion is to see the Bride of Christ alive and beautiful and fulfilling its mission in building the Kingdom of God.
Rev. Dr. Mari Gonlag
Past President
The Wesleyan Church
Mari is professor of religion at Southern Wesleyan University (Central, SC) and founder/director of the Center for Women in Ministry of The Wesleyan Church. She is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church where she has served as a solo pastor, staff minister, and for six years, as the director of ministerial studies for the denomination. In 1996, she transitioned into educational ministry, serving first as a professor at Bethany Bible College (now Kingswood University) in New Brunswick, Canada, and since 1998 at Southern Wsleyan. Mari has been involved in a variety of ways in the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy organization and Come to the Water Conference since the earliest meetings that gave birth to them.
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