Meet Pastor Yana

The American Baptist Churches USA ordained me in 2008 at Upper Merion Baptist Church in King of Prussia, Pa.

As I began in Connecticut doing mission work with The Life Center and also serving as associate regional minister in our ABCCONN offices.

I have had to pulpit supply visiting many of our ABCCONN churches. In the past I have served many roles including, National leader for American Baptist Women's Young Adult Coordinator and still actively involved in ABC life. A Conflict Transformation Trainer with a focus on Trauma, Chaplain with 4 CPE unites working in the Hospital and 16 years of Hospice Chaplaincy.

I learned the ministry of presence and the value of making the end of our lives beautiful. Within American Baptist life, a teacher, writer and preacher and I am proud to have grown up in American Baptist Churches NY/Metro but more so of the Boogie down Bronx. I've been an immersed emerging leader, author for Judson Press, and AB Women since my teenage years.

As a result of my American Baptist roots, they supported my development and still encourage me. My love for the Bible and proving family mysticism wrong became a driving force in college. I was 16, although in and out of churches most of my life, as a Catholic. I believe I had a conversion experience because it was there at the Spanish Baptist Church of Soundview; I surrendered my life to God.

And it has been a transformational journey not just spiritually but holistically as well. A life God has been reconciling moment by moment and forever will be a servant for the Lord, the Lover of my Soul.