Meet Our Board Leadership
One Vision
Bishop W. James Thomas II
President
Calvary Baptist Church, Dover, DE
Bishop W. James Thomas, II is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and formerly served as Pastor of a thriving congregation in Memphis, Tennessee for 23 years before being called to become the Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Dover, DE. In addition to his pastoral assignment, he is also the General Overseer and Presiding Prelate of The Apostolic Covenant of Churches International, Inc. He also currently serves on the Board of the Academy of Dover Charter School and Dover Interfaith Mission in Dover, Delaware, and was appointed as Chaplain of the Dover Police Department in 2018 by Mayor Robin Christiansen. He is married to Elder Antonia R. Thomas, with one daughter, Joshlyn.
Rev. Leandra Casson-Marshall
First Vice President
Greater Life Christian Church, Star Hill, DE
Rev. Leandra Casson Marshall has been in ordained ministry since October 2004. Rev. Marshall has devoted her life to God and serving His children. Currently, Rev. Marshall is the founder of Leandra Marshall Ministries International, Inc. Rev. Marshall is one of the founders and Vice President of External Relations and Development for Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization (DEMCO). DEMCO is the 2020 winner of The Delaware State News Stars of Delaware Best Nonprofit (Multicultural). Rev. Marshall is a professor at Delaware State University and a “Preacher/Teacher” of the scriptures. Rev. Marshall’s passion is studying the Old Testament and Pan Africanism. Her academic education includes the following schools: Lincoln University, PA, University of Delaware, University Of Kent at Canterbury United Kingdom, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei Taiwan, ROC. Kalinin Polytechical Institute, Kalinin Russia, Former Soviet Union, Norwich University Russian School Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary, PA, Emory University Candler School of theology, GA and Mercer University McAfee School of Theology.
Rev. Regina L. Bell
2nd Vice President
First Pilgrim Baptist Church, Camden, DE
Reverend Bell is the Senior Pastor of First Pilgrim Baptist Church, Camden, Delaware. Pastor Regina, as she likes to be called, most recently has started an outreach to the community, state, nation and the world with her weekly devotionals on social media, In addition she is the founder of “Arise Women’s Quarterly” a ministry to women in Delaware to strengthen their faith, purpose and influence. She is known as a student of the Bible and an outstanding preacher. Pastor Regina is called to this generation as a mentor, coach and Pastor of Pastors.
Pastor Bell has worked in the field of Health and Human Services for over 25 years. Her experience includes Organizational Leadership and Administration. She has held a number of board positions over the years. These positions have included The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Dover & Vicinity; Executive Women International, Inc., COPE, Inc. (Community Outreach Prevention and Education), and Covenant Sisters Inc., both of Delaware. She desires to see First Pilgrim become a church for the community where all are welcome.
Pastor Regina is a native of Norfolk, Virginia, veteran of the United States Air Force. She is married to Dr. Cardell Bell and together they have three adult children and they are the proud grandparents to 7 grandchildren.
Minister Charles Hunter
Secretary
Dover Christian Church, Dover, DE
All for one, One for All
Rev. Dr. Geraldine Jones
Assistant Secretary
Transformation Church AMEZ, Dover, DE
All for One, One for All!
Deaconess Starlet Harden
Financial Secretary
First Pilgrim Baptist Church, Camden, DE
Deaconess Star Harden is a native of Philadelphia, PA, and has been a resident of Delaware for twenty-nine years. She has a son named Shawn who is a Private Chef. She was ordained in 2014 and is a member of First Pilgrim Baptist Church. She serves on the Diaconate Ministry and ENCOUNTER Outreach Ministry of First Pilgrim.
Since 2015, Deaconess Harden has been a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) and serves currently as the Treasurer/Financial Secretary, Agape Banquet Co-Chairperson and is a member of the Assistance Program and Budget Committee.
Motto: “God is greater than any obstacle that you may encounter on your life’s journey. He will never leave you or forsake you and the joy of the Lord is your strength”.
Rev. Dr. Donald Ashley
Treasurer
Greater Life Christian Church, Star Hill, DE
All for One, One For All!