Marsha Scipio

ABCUSA > Marsha Scipio
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

A Christmas Message from ABCUSA General Secretary C. Jeff Woods

Read a Christmas message from ABCUSA General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods, below: I have always loved Christmas. I enjoy the lights, the food, the gatherings, the music, and especially the season of Advent. As a local church pastor, I relished the opportunity to shepherd a group of people toward the celebration of the birth […]

ABHMS Thanks its Donors at Inaugural Donor Appreciation Gala

VALLEY FORGE, PA (11/29/23)—American Baptist Home Missions Societies is able to realize its missional priorities thanks to the donors who make its many programs, scholarships, and grants possible. In order to celebrate and cherish them, ABHMS hosted the Inaugural Donor Appreciation Gala at its Leadership and Mission Building in late September of 2023. The event […]

American Baptist Leaders Release Storybook Video for 2023 Christmas Season

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/29/23)—American Baptist Churches USA is pleased to offer a new children’s storybook video to the American Baptist family based upon the book, “I am God’s Dream” by Matthew Paul Turner. Members of the National Executive Council provided the narration for the story and director Jeremy Fackenthal produced the video. “I am […]

ABHMS Board of Directors Congratulates Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain on Call to Become New ABCUSA General Secretary

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/22/23)—The Board of Directors of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain who has been announced as the new General Secretary of ABCUSA! Dr. Jacobs-Strain currently serves as executive director for American Baptist Women’s Ministries and is a member of the National Executive […]

Cleveland Baptist Association Calls the Rev. Dr. TaNikka Sheppard as Regional Executive Minister

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/22/23)—On November 13, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Baptist Association enthusiastically and unanimously called the Rev. Dr. TaNikka Sheppard as its new regional executive minister. She will begin on January 5, 2024. Board president Rev. Dr. James P. Quincy, III said, “Rev. Dr. Sheppard brings a unique mix […]

ABHMS Calls New Director of Communications and Marketing

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/21/23)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce that Curtis Ramsey-Lucas has answered the call to become the new director of the Communications and Marketing unit at ABHMS. A long-term ABHMS employee, Ramsey-Lucas has served 20 years as the editor of “The Christian Citizen,” an award-winning digital and print […]

Burma Advocacy Group Members Visit Malaysia, Thailand

FREEHOLD, NJ (ABNS 11/21/23)—The Burma Advocacy Group, which is comprised of 25 civil society and religious organizations, visited Malaysia from September 28-30 and Thailand from October 1-6, 2023. The objective of the visits, led by Rev. Dr. Roy Medley, Convener of the Burma Advocacy Group (BAG), was to assess the situation of refugees from Burma […]

A Thanksgiving Message from General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods

Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul,    and all that is within me,    bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,    and do not forget all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your iniquity,    who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit,    who crowns you with […]

American Baptist Churches Board of General Ministries Meets November 3-5, 2023

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/16/23)—The Board of General Ministries met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia, Pa., beginning on Friday, November 3 with an Appreciation Celebration service for ABCUSA General Secretary Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods. At the service, family, friends, staff and persons who have worked with Woods recognized his leadership […]

ABCUSA Announces “Least of These” Grant for Giving Tuesday 2023

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/15/23)—American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) is excited to announce an inspiring initiative for Giving Tuesday 2023 that empowers churches to make a meaningful impact in their communities. The “Least of These” Grant, aimed at providing support to the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods, is set to be a game-changer. Read the […]