About Us
Neither of us would ever have thought that an African American male pastor (Joe) of a predominantly black, multicultural church in the District of Columbia would have connected with a white female church and private sector strategic consultant (Christie) based in the Maryland suburbs to pursue a common mission of advancing God’s reign in local, regional, national, and international ways. But after an unexpected encounter during which Christie’s work on behalf of the General Board of Discipleship brought her to Joe’s congregation, missional connection happened and a desire to develop and expand mission strategy emerged. And as God would have it, when Joe became the district superintendent (DS) of the Greater Washington District while continuing to pastor Emory (where Christie had become a member), we came to understand deeply the need to teach leaders—laity and clergy—about the importance of focusing on the mission and having a strategy for doing so.
Jesus’s mission and the mission of his church is to liberate souls, systems, and societies so that people can live life and live it to the fullest.
Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, jr.
Joe Daniels is the Lead Pastor of the Emory United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., where he has helped a once dying congregation become a model for church and community transformation. Joe is passionate about helping churches and communities of all types prosper. As a nationally recognized turnaround pastor, Joe has taught, preached and consulted on congregational and community revitalization in other countries as well.
CHristine shinn latona
Christie Latona is Director of Connectional Ministries at the Baltimore-Washington Conference where she is helping to reimagine how the ministries of the annual conference might transform disciple-making in churches for the transformation of communities. She is a sought-after strategist and facilitator who assists leaders, teams and their organizations to innovate and thrive.