Rev. Shawn M. Wilson

Pastor

Rev. Shawn M. Wilson was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pa., the proud son of ordained ministers. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a degree in history in 1994. He graduated in 2000 from Harvard University, where he obtained a Master of Divinity degree. Currently, Rev. Wilson is a student in the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree program at Boston University’s School of Theology. For twenty years, Rev. Wilson has been pastoring congregations throughout the Northeast, including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maryland. To date, he has served in urban and suburban ministry settings as well as in cross-racial appointments. He considers his service in diverse ministry settings to be a special blessing. Wilson is a gifted preacher and teacher who enjoys nurturing congregations through a strong Christ-centered foundation. He also enjoys engaging creative worship ministries, especially composing and performing contemporary worship music. Wilson is married to his wife of 26 years, Vanessa Wilson, of Philadelphia. Together they have four daughters (Maya, Qelani, Zaria, and Kenya) and three sons (Rakai, Jacobi, and Caleb). The eldest three daughters, Maya, Qelani and Zaria, are students at Cornell University, Franklin & Marshall College, and Syracuse University respectively. In addition to spending time with his family, Rev. Wilson enjoys writing, watching college football, and composing worship music.

Min. Vanessa M. Wilson

Assistant Minister

Vanessa M. Wilson was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of seven children. She received her primary and secondary education in the Philadelphia Public Schools, where she was graduated from the performing arts high school, Franklin Learning Center (FLC) in 1988. Vanessa was a dance major at FLC. Her dance company garnered several awards in the Philadelphia region, including first place at the coveted Bucks County Playhouse Competition. Vanessa matriculated to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where she gravitated to the university’s Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science. Vanessa was conferred the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Sport in 1992. After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Vanessa returned to Philadelphia and pursued her interest in education as a teacher in the Philadelphia Public School System and as a teacher and counselor for Southern Home Services. Presently, Vanessa is an educator in Montgomery County Public Schools. Vanessa is an avid reader of the Bible, several topics in contemporary theology, African American literature and poetry. She hopes to translate her literary interests and life experiences into a volume.  Vanessa also envisions establishing a nonprofit organization to inspire and support young women and mothers. Vanessa has been married to her college sweetheart, Rev. Shawn M. Wilson, for 26 years. Together they have four daughters and three sons. Vanessa considers it the highest privilege and responsibility to nurture and educate her children, three of whom are enrolled at Cornell University, Franklin & Marshall College, and Syracuse University. While Vanessa relishes all of scripture, her favorite passage is 1 Corinthians 2:9, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”