Marsha Scipio - ABCUSA

Associate General Secretary for Missional Initiatives and Partnerships Rev. Marsha Scipio, brings a commitment to public service and social justice along with twenty years of non-profit management experience. She is responsible for developing partnerships with organizations who share similar values to ABC and who can bring resources to our pastors and congregations. Scipio, an attorney, was born in Trinidad & Tobago and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.Prior to joining American Baptist Churches USA, Scipio was the Executive Director of the Berean Community & Family Life Center, the non-profit organization of the historic Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. As the Executive Director, Scipio oversaw the completion of an affordable housing complex and the new Family Life Center, managed diverse health and wellness programs, partnered with other social service entities to facilitate community-wide health fairs, and directed youth development programs.As the former Site Director of Legal Outreach, a non-profit law-related education program in Brooklyn, Scipio was able to expand the program to its full capacity through keen strategic planning, developing partnerships with members of the legal, educational, and social services community, while effectively managing the program’s resources. Prior to working with Legal Outreach, Scipio developed a college and career leadership preparatory program for underserved youth in the South Bronx and East Harlem at the Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network. At Georgetown University Law Center, she represented clients in Georgetown’s Institute for Public Representation. She also worked at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services in their Legal Division and at the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division in the Educational Section.

After seven years at Legal Outreach, Marsha decided to follow the calling on her life to go into Ministry. Her interest in interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural ministry has led her to study preaching and religious dialogue in India, to engage in pastoral ministry and community development in Liberia at the historic Providence Baptist Church, to do missions in South Africa and Haiti, and to journey to Israel and Palestine territories to participate in Christian-Jewish interfaith dialogue. She is an Associate Minister at Berean Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr., where she served as the Youth Pastor. Scipio is passionate about teaching and preaching God’s Word. She is the Founder and Convener of Women Who Minister – a conference to empower and equip women to serve in ministry in the pulpit and the marketplace. She also serves on the Board of American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan, NY.

Scipio is a graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Psychology and African American Studies. She earned an M.A. in Psychology from New York University, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Scipio enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and eating good food! Quoting her favorite poet, Maya Angelou, she says, “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now!” Gratefully adding, “God’s got this!”

Posted Articles

“The Generosity Project Presents: A Live Zoom Event with Tod Bolsinger” Webinar Recording Now Available

VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/25/23)—A recording from our latest Generosity Project webinar, “The Generosity Project Presents: A Live Zoom Event with Tod Bolsinger” which took place on Monday, May 22, 2023, is now available for viewing below. Watch the recording of the event and hear from Tod Bolsinger, who shares from his book “Tempered Resilience” and […]

A Generosity Project Reflection – The Work of the Stewardship Team

The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations. The Generosity Project aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Bi-monthly blogs help support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship. The reflection below was provided by Rev. Stacy Emerson. The work […]

Prayer for People of Myanmar

“We pray for the safety and recovery of the people of Myanmar as category five Cyclone Mocha destroyed the capital city Sittwe. It is devastating to imagine a storm of this magnitude hitting an area where 1.2 million people have already been displaced from the rule of the military junta and already in need of […]

ABHMS Calls National Coordinator for Mission Response

VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/10/23)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce that the Rev. Sandra Lee answered the call to join ABHMS’ Healing & Transforming Communities team as national coordinator for mission response. In this vital role, her portfolio includes coordinating volunteer opportunities, working with others to coordinate American Baptist disaster response, and […]

ABHMS Calls National Coordinator for Justice and Advocacy

VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/10/23)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce that the Rev. Kerwin Webb answered the call to join ABHMS’ Healing & Transforming Communities team as national coordinator for justice and advocacy. His responsibilities in this crucial role include cultivating and strengthening networks of justice advocates who demonstrate faith in action, […]

American Baptist Home Mission Societies Announces Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace and Justice Award

VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/10/23)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors, pastor, Second Baptist Church, Evanston, Ill., and the Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, pastor, Lake Street Church, Evanston, Ill., will receive the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace and Justice Award for outstanding work for peace and justice. Second […]

A Generosity Project Reflection – Mindless Spending

Rev. Dr. Aaron Kilbourn Called as Executive Minister of ABC of the Dakotas

VALLEY FORGE, PA (4/25/23)—The American Baptist Churches of the Dakotas has called Rev. Dr. Aaron Kilbourn to be the region’s next Region Executive Minister. Rev. Dr. Kilbourn’s term of service as Executive Minister will begin June 1, 2023. According to Rev. Brian Skar, president of the Region Policy Board of the American Baptist Churches of […]

Rodney Ragwan and Jennifer Pedzinski Transition to New Ministry Roles at International Ministries

VALLEY FORGE, PA (4/24/23)—International Ministries (IM) is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Rodney Ragwan and Rev. Jennifer (Jeni) Pedzinski have moved into new ministry roles as of December 1, 2022. Having served since June of 2018 as Director of Mission Mobilization, Dr. Ragwan has now been endorsed to prepare for ministry as a Global […]

ABHS Announces 2023 George D. Younger Award Recipient

VALLEY FORGE, PA (4/20/23)—Lake Avenue Memorial Baptist Church in Rochester, New York has been named the 2023 recipient of the George D. Younger Award for Excellence in Local or Regional American Baptist History. The award will be presented on behalf of the American Baptist Historical Society Board of Managers on Saturday evening, June 24, during […]