Our Pastor
The Rev. Jessica Hayden
Rev. Hayden is a graduate of Spelman College where she majored in Psychology; and she also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University of Maryland. Rev. Hayden also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. Reverend Hayden is licensed with the State of Maryland as a Clinical Professional Counselor; and prior to full time ministry she worked at Marian House, a transitional and permanent housing facility providing counseling to homeless women and families in recovery for substance abuse, trauma and mental illness. During her time at Marian House Rev. Hayden served as an Employment Counselor, Mental Health Counselor and Program Director. After 15 years of service she resigned from her position in February 2015 to pursue full time ministry. Reverend Hayden accepted her call to ministry in January 2000 and since that time she has pursued opportunities for education and mission. Reverend Hayden initially completed coursework through the Baltimore-Washington Conference for local and certified lay speaking and she availed herself to serving in the local church and she also attended various trainings at the district level. Reverend Hayden soon sensed that God was calling her to ordained ministry and she subsequently began the process for ordination with the United Methodist Church. Rev. Hayden clearly remembers the pivotal morning on February 1, 2010 when she surrendered to God’s call to pastoral ministry; and while she knew that this call would come with great challenges and responsibilities she endeavored to be obedient to the voice of God as He called her to serve his people. In July of 2010 Rev. Hayden was appointed as a licensed, local pastor with the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church; and she successfully completed Local Pastor’s Licensing School in Rockaway, New Jersey. Rev. Hayden completed her Master of Divinity degree in May 2015 and she was ordained as a Full Elder with the Baltimore-Washington Conference in May 2019. Rev. Hayden’s pastoral/connectional ministry experience includes: From July 1, 2010-June 30, 2014 - Rev. Hayden served as associate pastor with the Bowley’s/Chase United Methodist Parish, a multi-racial parish, located in Middle River, MD. During this appointment she helped to develop and lead their youth ministry and also helped to recruit and equip lay members to serve as youth leaders. July 1, 2014, - June 30, 2020 – Rev. Hayden served as pastor of Old Otterbein UMC in downtown Baltimore. Old Otterbein is the most historic congregation in Baltimore City and Rev. Hayden was the second female and the first person of color to serve as pastor of this congregation. Under her leadership this congregation increased its engagement with the community and also developed intentional stewardship practices that help to increase their financial vitality. Rev. Hayden also engaged young adult members and increased their presence in key leadership positions within the church. July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020 – Rev. Hayden served in Extension Ministry with Inspirit Counseling Services in Baltimore, MD providing professional counseling to individuals and couples. Feb. 2019 – present – Rev. Hayden serves as the chairperson of the Discipleship Council for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. This committee helps to ensure that the Annual Conference fulfills its mission to equip and empower local congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Rev. Hayden is very passionate about engaging in missional ministry within the greater community and she particularly has an interest in engaging those persons who are living on the margins of society (i.e. persons experiencing homelessness, poverty, trauma, addiction, mental illness). Rev. Hayden is also very intentional about creating safe and welcoming places for worship, fellowship and ministry so that all persons may experience the redeeming and transforming love of God through Christ Jesus. Rev. Hayden loves serving in the local church and she feels especially called to discipleship ministries – helping to equip churches engage in intentional practices that will make, mature, equip and empower disciples of Jesus Christ. She is also passionate about lay leadership development – helping individuals identify their spiritual gifts and creating opportunities for those gifts to be used within and beyond the local church. In addition to pastoral ministry Reverend Hayden enjoys the time she shares with her family, friends. Rev. Hayden is married to Otis Hayden, Jr. and they reside in Laurel, Maryland. They are the proud parents of two sons, Timothy – age 14 (who resides in Pennsylvania with his mother) and Hezekiah – who was born on July 8, 2020. Rev. Hayden is passionate about her ministry and she enjoys sharing the Gospel message with anyone whom God sends. She has been blessed to have opportunities for service and learning and she is committed to following the path that God has prepared for her. She endeavors to live a life that is pleasing to God and she offers herself as a vessel that God can use. Reverend Hayden’s call scripture is Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I said here am I; send me!” |
Our Leaders
The lay and clergy members who provide leadership to Randall Memorial Church are a talented, dedicated cadre of faithful servants of Jesus Christ. They value Randall’s heritage and are committed to building its promising future with direction and assistance from the Holy Spirit. They are mutually accountable to one another, to their various committees, to the pastor and congregation, and most of all, to God, who calls and consecrates them as leaders of Christ’s church.
Randall Administrative/Ministry Leaders Church Administrative Council Jacqueline Wynn – Church Council Chairperson James Michael Robinson – Lay Leader Sherene Cameron – Lay Member to Annual Conference Recording Secretary - Vacant Joyce Harris – Membership Secretary Josephine Johnson – Trustee Board Chairperson Alfred Cook – Pastor-Parish Relations Committee Chairperson Katie Gamble-Johnson – Finance Committee Chairperson Melodia Phillips – Treasurer Nicole Starchia – Finance Secretary Steven Hill – United Methodist Men President Joyce Harris – United Methodist Women President United Methodist Youth Council Representatives - Vacant Pastor Parish Relations (PPR) Committee Alfred Cook, Chairperson Trustee Committee Josephine Johnson, Chairperson Finance Committee Katie Gamble-Johnson, Chairperson Nicole Starchia, Finance Secretary Melodia Phillips, Treasurer Committee on Lay Leadership Development Rev. Jessica S. Hayden, Chairperson Children and Youth Ministries Coordinators Youth\Children: Stephanie Dowtin Church School & Bible Study Superintendent of Church School: Vacant Church School Co-Leaders: Vacant Church School Teachers: Patricia Washington Bible Study Teachers: Rev. Jessica S. Hayden Health & Welfare Ministries Renee Griffin, Coordinator Communications Ministry Steven Hill, Coordinator Debra Payne and Cynthia Smith Community Outreach Team Nicole Starchia, Coordinator Joyce Harris, Yvonne O’Ferrall, Michael Robinson, Steven Hill |