Bio for The Reverend Valentine B. Royal

As Executive Director of the American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM), the Reverend Valentine B. Royal:

• Works as an advocate, encouraging women who have answered the call to  ministerial leadership;
• Serves as an educator to congregations and individuals who want to dialogue regarding the concerns and issues of women called to the ministry;
• Functions as a liaison between women ministers and our denomination, communicating the historical commitment to affirm, educate and place  women in ministerial leadership positions within American Baptist Churches-USA.

Rev. Royal facilitates the formation of personal and professional networks; plans equipping conferences, retreats and other events; and develops resources for women in ministry.  She carries out the charge of this ministry by providing planning and scholarship support to local ABWIM groups; and through the ministries of preaching, teaching and worship in local congregations and regional settings.  These activities undergird the mission of ABWIM to increase the visibility, placement, and support of women. 

Rev. Royal's past experiences include appointments as an associate pastor in two California congregations; a long term prison ministry; street evangelism; and ministry with troubled youth, homeless families and battered women.  She is a 1990 graduate of the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, California; with undergraduate studies in Special Education at the Lone Mountain College in San Francisco.

Sunday school, and Wednesday night Bible studies have been absolutely necessary to her spiritual formation--"just as water nourishes and refreshes plant life, so God's word feeds, keeps, and grows my life and walk with Jesus."  She believes strong churches (strong Christians) are the testimony of congregations who give the ministry of Christian education a high priority.

Rev. Royal is the mother of one daughter and grandmother to 3  boys.