Staff – American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin

Regional Executive Minister: Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri

The Reverend Dr. Marie Onwubuariri has been serving as the Regional Executive Minister (REM) of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin since August 2014. What originally drew her to ABC/WI is the region’s mission statement highlighting the centrality of the love of God known in Jesus Christ, and the call for covenantal unity (not uniformity) and for a shared faith and missional journey. What continues to compel and excite her about this ministry call are the people who strive for these values and the multiple avenues and expressions available in the region to live into this mission. Rev. Marie understands her role as REM is to build upon this strong foundation and shepherd a new chapter of associational life in which the region office, its staff, and leadership continually become an effective resource that compels and equips our ministers and ministries toward rootedness, collaboration, growth, and transformation for the sake of a relevant and engaging Christian witness in Wisconsin and beyond.

In her pastoral, administrative, and educational ministries Rev. Marie strives to embody an approach that integrates cultural self-knowing, interpersonal and organizational practices that affirm the value of and ensure equity for all people, and a deep trust in the work of the Triune God. She has been shaped through her work experiences as a seminary admissions director, Pastor and ministerial staff member at three America Baptist churches in the San Francisco Bay area, crosscultural competency trainer, volunteer in various roles within the denomination, executive in the retail industry, and from a lifetime of straddling the intersections of multiple cultures. She also offers her gifts in bridge-building, gracious and collaborative leadership, hospitality, communication, and holistic administration.

Her educational training includes a BS in Business Management at Binghamton University (NY), and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at ABSW (Berkeley, CA). She looks forward to continue to develop her doctoral work focused on raising up a new generation of holistic intercultural transformational leaders through a character-forming spiritual practice incorporating cultural self-knowing and negotiation, cross-cultural competency, and self-care. She also is co-editor and chapter contributor of Trouble the Water: A Christian Resource for the Work of Racial Justice (Nurturing Faith, 2017).

Rev. Marie is grateful for the diverse realities within her region, among her ministry networks, and in her personal life as wife, mother, family member, friend, and community member, which all continue to teach her and keep her accountable to the justice call of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Her balancing grace is each opportunity she can take to share her gifts as poet, photographer, and pianist with others. Rev. Marie’s home is in Brookfield, Wisconsin where she lives with husband Franklin, and children Anaya and Sol.

Associate Regional Minister - Camping: Rev. Carolyn Dugan

Email: carolyn.dugan@abcofwi.org

In this role, I try to keep the past, present and future of camping in mind as we plan the summer youth camps, winter youth retreats, work with various rental groups and offer retreats. I have been attending, volunteering and working at Camp Tamarack since I was in 5^th grade and I realize there is a nostalgia and sense of home when it comes to Camp Tamarack for anyone that has been there. I also realize change is inevitable as we evolve the Camp into what the Region and the campers, leaders and staff need in the 21^st Century. I am reminded of the words in Deuteronomy 6 and 11 where we are commanded to teach the words of God to our children in all matter of life. I believe we are all children of God and Camp Tamarack is a place where this teaching and learning can occur in many different ways for individuals and groups.

In Numbers 9:18 the Lord commanded the people of Israel to camp, so we should too.

Prior to working for American Baptist Churches of WI, I used my BS in Zoology from UW-Oshkosh working for Covance Laboratories 18+ years in Toxicology and Human Resources as a Study Technician, Supervisor and Manager. In these capacities I learned various leadership skills and was able to use them working with clients, regulatory agencies and delivering training to several laboratories in the U.S. as well as working with laboratories in England, Germany and Shanghai.

During my tenure as part time Director of Camping Ministries from Jan 1, 2012 –Dec 31, 2016, I was also the Christian Education Director for The Federated Church of Green Lake, a basketball coach for the Fall River School district, delivered leadership training at several sites around the US for ICON Laboratories and provided Pre-Leadership Development for Covance Laboratories virtually as well as working in their BioAnalytical Department in Madison, WI.

In May of 2016, I graduated from Central Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. During the ceremony I was awarded the Harvey E. Dana award for writing.In August of 2016, I was Ordained within the American Baptist Churches - USA Denomination at The Federated Church of Green Lake.

I live on a 5 acre farmette with my husband Jim, daughter Emma and various furry and feathery pets including a donkey, llama, sheep, mini horses, 3 dogs and many cats. Taking care of and being part of Creation is a big part of my identity. I also enjoy working out, photography, indulging in my geek side, finding ways to be creative and listening to my family make music and watching my daughter compete in marching band and play volleyball.

I am looking forward to continuing the work of Camp Tamarack along with the many partners that call the space home.

Associate Regional Minister - Education: Rev. Dr. John Jones IV

Email: john.jones@abcofwi.org

Dr. John A. Jones IV was appointed as Associate Regional Minister-Education, effective January 1, 2017. This appointment includes responsibilities of the Site Coordinator of CENTRAL Wisconsin CBTS, inclusive of the Hispanic Lay Institute and the Korean-Language program that meets at the Elm Grove offices. Prior to assuming this position, John has taught classes at CENTRAL since 2008.

Originally from the south, John grew up in Georgia, graduating with a B.A. from Mercer University in Christianity, Psychology, and Greek in 1991. He enjoyed a year at Regents Park College of Oxford University in England before pursuing the M.Div. degree at the Baptist House of Studies of Duke Divinity School in North Carolina where he graduated in 1995. Soon thereafter he received Southern Baptist Church ordination through his home church Shirley Hills Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. He served as pastor of Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church in Virginia for about one year before moving back to Georgia to be with his father after the passing of his mother from cancer.

In Georgia, he taught middle school mathematics, coached softball and soccer, and prepared to continue studies in theology and ethics. In 1999, John moved to Milwaukee to begin a doctoral program at Marquette University. He successfully defended his dissertation, The Costly Witness of the Church in 2006. Prior to that defense as well as in the time since, he has had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct instructor at various local schools including Marquette University, Lakeland College, Cardinal Stritch University, Mount Mary University, Viterbo University, and CENTRAL Wisconsin seminary.

In 2008 he had the good fortune of marrying Katherine Valentyn. They have two daughters, Martha and Alicia, who teach them valuable lessons daily, helping them be better parents and better people by providing both laughter and challenge. The family is involved in the congregational lives of both First Baptist Church of West Allis and St. Benedict the Moor in Milwaukee. John very much enjoys cooking for the family and trying to do some running or cycling to work off all that good food. During summer holidays you can usually find the family camping in one of the wonderful Wisconsin State Parks.

The position of Associate Regional Minister – Education is a new position in the ongoing growth and evolution of the Region ministries. The hallmarks of rootedness, growth, and collaboration that lead to transformation are built into the responsibilities of CENTRAL Seminary site coordinator, and they have been born out through John’s experience over the last several years teaching students responding to God’s call. Our rootedness in the story of God’s work in the world enables growth to meet new challenges through collaboration – we need each other to let our faith shine. That makes possible transformation: personal, communal, social. John considers it an honor to serve in this position.

Hispanic Community Liaison: Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Email: HCLiaison@abcofwi.org

Dr. Carlson serves as the ABCW Hispanic Community Liaison. He serves as a ministerial support for the four Spanish Speaking congregations in the region. His duties involve consultation, ministry support, leadership development, and advocacy for the Hispanic community. He sees his ministry as one of walking along with Hispanic congregations as they go through the different congregational life events and stages of church development. He is a resource to church leaders and seeks to empower them to respond to God's call.

Dr. Jim has served as a full-time pastor for four ABC churches. During those pastorates Dr. Jim sought to comfort, inspire, empower and lead the people he served. In addition to his pastoral leadership, he has continued to be involved in various efforts to engage the Hispanic community. One highlight of his ministry is the co-founding of the Hispanic Lay Institute. This institute is an unaccredited program which trains Spanish speaking people to take leadership roles in their congregations. It is affiliated with Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and has been in operation since 2012. His teaching ministry is not limited to the HLI, however. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at various universities in the Milwaukee area, including Carroll University, UW Oshkosh, Marquette University, Mt. Mary University and Central Seminary.

Dr. Jim completed a B.A in Fine Art at Judson University, specializing in Piano Performance. He attended Northern Seminary, where he earned an Master of Divinity. While serving a Church in California he attended and completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary. In 2008 he also completed a PhD at Marquette University, where he specialized in New Testament Studies.

Dr. Jim is married and has a teen daughter. His outside interests are music, Hispanic culture, and riding motorcycles. He frequently performs with Milwaukee area bands in a number of venues. Music has been God's gift to him, and a way to express both his faith and his passion.

Assistant Minister - Camping: Facilities and Guest Services: Rev. Kim Drost

Email: kim.drost@abcofwi.org

Kim’s official title is Assistant Minister - Camping: Facilities and Guest Services; another way of thinking of the position is Minister of Hospitality. She is the one who supports the programming and usage of the camp by making sure all of its facilities are maintained and in good working order. Kim gets to help people enjoy all that Camp Tamarack has to offer and through it encounter the loving God who created it. It is her heart’s desire to do everything she can do to help more people find and enjoy this place and, more importantly, find Jesus in it.

Kim was raised Roman Catholic and decided to follow Jesus wholeheartedly in college. Baptized as an infant, she was also baptized as an adult at Bethel Baptist Church (Southern Baptist) in Oakway, SC. Her very first experience with American Baptists was in 1986 at Immanuel Baptist in Brookfield, WI, and she joined the First Baptist Church of West Allis in March of 1999. She served that church officially as Mission Education Chair and Sunday School Superintendent. She played bells in the bell choir, sang tenor in the chancel choir, and played bass with the praise team. She was active in their American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) circles, and during that time visited many of our region’s churches to do pulpit supply. She served as the ABWM State Secretary for three years and has been the President of the Wisconsin ABWM since 2014.

She has served as Camp Tamarack Head Cook as part of the Summer Staff since 2010. Cooking at Camp was her “summer job” while she spent three winters ministering in Death Valley National Park with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks. In August of 2011, her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so she did not return to Death Valley. Instead, after her father passed in early 2012, she was called to pastor the Indian Baptist Church in Wisconsin Dells, WI and Grace Community Church in Mauston, WI. The churches were gracious enough to let their pastor continue her summer ministry at camp for the three years that she served them. In addition to the two-church pastorate, she also served as a Head Cook in the Portage, WI Community School District during the school year. You could say she takes Jesus’ command to “Feed my sheep” literally.

Kim has a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. As part of CENTRAL-Wisconsin CBTS’ first class, she received her M.Div in May of 2010. She was ordained by the First Baptist Church of West Allis, WI in November of 2010. She also attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering and has ½ of an Electrical Engineering degree, which she hopes to finish someday.

If you do not find Kim in the Camp Tamarack maintenance shop or John Gray kitchen, you will probably find her “wogging” (faster than a walk but not really a jog and definitely NOT a run) on one of camp’s 2.5+ miles of trails. She likes playing the guitar, biking, reading, Brewers baseball and Packers football, but her absolute most favorite thing to do is be the “cool aunt” to her five nephews and two nieces.

Assistant Minister - Education: Student Services: Patrick Roberts

Email: patrick.roberts@abcofwi.org

This opportunity to serve in this region position allows me to utilize my 21 years of church and 16 years of professional experience as I implement the vision and strategic plan for student services. My experience will also help foster collaboration among participants in the seminary network.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, I grew up attending Greater Galilee Baptist Church from birth until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force; I served four years and received an honorable discharge. In 1988 I was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a Mail Carrier at the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Post Office. I was promoted to the position of Supervisor in 1997 and worked as finance supervisor and delivery supervisor throughout the city of Milwaukee and the suburb of Oak Creek. In 2013 I was promoted to Manager of West Allis Post Office through 2014.

During the time of my postal service career my church commitment to Greater Galilee resumed. In 1994 I became active in church as a Sunday School teacher for the age group of twelve to eighteen. In the same year I was also children church coordinator for the age group of six to twelve years of age. In 2001 I was assigned to be a member of the Trustee board, serving as President 2005 through 2008. I served on the church pulpit committee from 2005 until 2007, confirming the next Pastor of Greater Galilee. In 2009 I was ordained as a Deacon. In 2011, after some serious reflection about how GOD was using me in the church, I accepted the call of becoming a minister and became licensed by Greater Galilee. Additionally, from 1999 thru 2002 I served as Vacation Bible School Principal. In 2009 thru 2011 I served as Youth Ministry Director.

My formal education is presently as student as Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and I am completing my undergraduate degree at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with completion date of May 2019. I have completed Interim Ministry Training through the Center for Congregational Health located in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

It is hope that my life experiences will be of a benefit to American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin community and that this relationship aligns with the purpose and will of GOD.

Office Administrator: Rev. Dcn. Sean William Cornell

Email: sean.cornell@abcofwi.org

The Reverend Deacon Sean Cornell comes to the position of Office Administrator for the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin through a familiarity with different denominational traditions. His approach is one of listening and learning through which he can then offer support and constructive suggestions for ministry. As the Office Administrator he hopes to be able to bring his administrative and organizational skills and a broad ministerial background to his work.

Rev. Cornell received his education in three phases. First he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in the humanities and philosophy from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. He then earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. Most recently he earned his Master of Sacred Theology degree from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He has served in congregations in the United Methodist Church (where he first encountered the ABC) and the Anglican Church in North America, as well as in the campus chapel at UW - Green Bay. He has worked in both established congregations, in church plants, and in a home for troubled youth. This varied background allows him a great flexibility to understand the needs and concerns of the various ABC congregations in Wisconsin.

Rev. Cornell was raised in Brookfield and currently lives in Pewaukee. He enjoys good books and good conversation with friends. He hopes to be able to continue his education by earning his PhD in the future, with a goal of being able to both preach in a congregation and teach theology to future pastors in a seminary.