CCOK301

The Oklahoma Region is proud to announce its speakers for the 2022 Regional Assembly: Rev. Rebecca Anderson and Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale. The event theme is “More than a Moment: Rejoicing in Our Story.” It will take place April 29-30, 2022 as a hybrid event at Harvard Avenue Christian Church, Tulsa.

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale

Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Dr. Hale received a Bachelor of Arts in music from Hollins University; a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. She holds five honorary Doctorates of Divinity and an honorary Doctor of Law degree.

As a woman of vision, Dr. Hale is revered worldwide for her leadership, integrity, and compassion. Her vision and leadership led her to establish two ministries; Elah Pastoral Ministries, Inc. and the Women in Ministry Conference, Inc. Elah is a mentoring program to assist in the spiritual and practical development of pastors and para-church leaders and the Women in Ministry Conference is a premiere national conference with a focused mission to develop, coach, and mentor Christian women in ministry for the 21st Century.

As a recipient of numerous honors and recognitions, Dr. Hale was inducted into the African American Biographies Hall of Fame, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College, and the Atlanta Business League Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the National Urban League’s “Women of Power” award, the Preston Taylor Living Legacy Award, the Balm in Gilead Keeper of the Flame Award, and she was recognized on Ebony Magazine’s “Power 100” list as one of the nation’s most influential African American leaders. In 2009, Dr. Hale was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. She also served as a member of the 2016 Platform Committee for the Democratic National Convention and delivered the Invocation at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Dr. Hale is a contributing writer for many books and publications including, Power in the Pulpit II: How America’s Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare their Sermons and the preaching resource series, Feasting on the Gospels. In January 2010, she authored her first book entitled, I’m A Piece of Work: Sisters Shaped by God.

Dr. Hale presently serves as the Chairperson of the IC3 Conference Board, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Beulah Heights University, the Vice President for the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference, a member of the Board of Visitors of the Divinity School at Duke University, a member of the Board of Trustees at Hollins University, a member of the UNCF NFI Advisory Council and a member of the Welcome.US Council.

Dr. Hale is an active Lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She currently serves as the Co-Chairperson of the International Spiritual Oversight Committee and Chairperson of the Membership Committee of her local chapter, Nu Lambda Omega Chapter.

During her 42 years of ministry, her ministerial gift has drawn thousands, young and old, to witness the anointing of a woman totally sold out for the Kingdom of God.

Rev. Rebecca Anderson

Rebecca is co-pastor of Gilead Church Chicago and is ordained in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She has a Masters in Divinity from the University of Chicago and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Playwrighting from Hampshire College (Amherst, MA).

Rebecca’s been on Snap Judgment (radio), and podcasts including The Broad Experience and Broccoli & Ice Cream. Active in the Chicago storytelling scene, she’s performed with events like RISK!, 2nd Story, The Moth, and This Much is True. As a comic (back in the day), she was featured in The Boston Globe and The Christian Century.

Rebecca has developed and teaches workshops designed to grow the practice of story-telling and foster interpersonal connection (more at EarshotStories.com). She also hosts potlucks, plants gardens, and knows the best places to pick juneberries.