HAROLD DESANTIS LEWIS
Lakeland,FL
Summary
PASTORAL and EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
A seasoned ordained pastor and servant-leader in the United Methodist Church with expertise in
multiculturalism, pastoral ministry, community outreach and development, organizational strategies, church administration, motivational skills, effective communication, and leadership development. Has proven abilities in pastoring, leading, organizing, teaching, coaching, community engagement, and mentoring both laity and clergy within the Christian church.
CORE SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Pastoral Leadership
Strategic Planning
Program Development & Execution
Multicultural Heath & Growth
DEI Champion & Specialist
Pastoral Coaching & Mentorship
In-Depth Training & Facilitation
Congregational Development
Church & Mission Ministries
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Stakeholder Relationships
Community Partnerships
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President
Converge
Orlando, FL
09.2018 - 07.2023
- Key facilitator of training and resourcing 10 regions (1500+ churches), as well as providing leadership and DEI management for Converge Extension Ministries, which include the Filipino, Haitian, Vietnamese, and Latino communities
- Builds, organizes, and directs strategic planning for the development and implementation of DEI advocacies through the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC)
- Notable Highlights & Contributions:
- Created a Cultural Awareness Self-Assessment to collect cultural competency data, necessary to support strategies for various diversity work, recording participation of around 1,600+ constituents to date
- Developed, recorded, and published 25+ diversity training videos on YouTube as resources for church and public education and training
- Topics covered microaggressions, equality, equity, and justice, among others, reaching 15,000+ views
- Planned and organized annual activities such as the Cultural Immersion Trip to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, and Leadership Summit for the ethic ministries, to foster real-time and cross-cultural engagement and growth for members
- Led and facilitated 28+ in-person diversity workshops with 800+ participants attending, encompassing a variety of issues in a more in-depth discussion with the instructor and other participants
- Key Areas of Expertise:
- Organizational Leadership: Plan and direct training programs to seamlessly institute affiliate groups into Converge environment, while maintaining their own culture
- A reliable Advisor to the President regarding racial reconciliation and cultural awareness for increased growth and health, providing cultural insights and initiatives to keep connection with external communities and members
- Strategic DEI Planning: Build and educate teams of champions in all of 10 Converge regions through personally designed training model, supporting regional leaders in the creative implementation of DEI plans
- Establish gender equity and training on harassment and inclusion to boost morale and encourage better representation in society as ambassadors for organization
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Converge churches, regions, and international missions' ministries
- Provide leadership, administration, and operational development to train and prepare new affiliations during cultural community integration.
Senior Pastor, Director
Black Church Ministries | United Methodist Church
Lakeland, FL
07.2016 - 09.2018
Senior Pastor, Shepherd
- S Community United Methodist Church, a cross racial appointment, delivering functions of an Elder as outlined in the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2012, paragraph 340
- Additionally became Senior Pastor of the Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida and the Tyer Temple United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida in July 2017
- Recognized as the first Black pastor to serve in 2 cross-racial appointments for Anglo churches and established cross-racial dynamics
- As the Director of Black Church Ministries, resumed priorities over providing coaching, consulting, and leadership to around 85 Black Churches (63 African American Churches, 5 Caribbean Churches, and 17 Haitian Churches) of over 19,000 members and 142 pastors
- Facilitated collaboration with the Black Methodist for Church Renewal Caucus and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.
Director of Multi
Cultural & Justice Ministries | United Methodist Church
Lakeland, FL
06.2013 - 07.2016
- Led and managed relationship-building and cross-cultural growth of 700+ churches, gaining in-depth understanding of every church’s differences and complexities to better tailor DEI initiatives that meet institutional, cultural, and economic needs
- Collaborated with and resourced Anglo churches to provide insight on appropriate DEI programs for integration in their respective ministries
- Notable Highlights & Contributions:
- Successfully fulfilled requirements set to become a regular voting member of the International Transaction Association, including completion of over 40-hour Transactional Analysis Training
- Initiated and organized a local town hall meeting of community activists and clergy, creating an avenue for sensitive dialogues and discussions associated with prevalent police shootings of African Americans in the country
- Nominated for the episcopacy in the United Methodist Church
- Received over 600 hours in multi-cultural and inclusivity training to educate and provide leadership for over 700 churches with more than 300,000 members, including African American, Anglo, Filipino, Haitian, Korean, Native American, Russian, and Vietnamese backgrounds in recognizing, understanding, and appreciating their differences
- Provided coaching and consulting for 16 ethnic pastors in leadership, discipleship, and church organization
- Key Responsibilities:
- Coaching & Training: Mentored and coached various groups and churches on the effectively incorporation of different ethnic cultures and styles into respective communities
- Supervised peer training for Multi-Cultural Resource Facilitators on inclusivity and consulting, while providing insight to 16 ethnic pastors in the areas of leadership, discipleship, and church organization
- Cultural Diversity: Completed 600+ hours of multi-cultural and inclusivity training to educate and lead over 700 churches with more than 300,000 multiracial members, enabling full recognition and appreciation of individual cultural differences
- Stakeholder Relationships: Provided oversight and partnered with the Justice for Our Neighbors, Peace with Justice Initiatives, Florida Advocacy Days, Prison Ministries, Immigration and Farmworkers, and Creation Care Ministries
- Established community partnerships by maintaining visibility in local hospitals, colleges and universities, Election Days, and juvenile detention for boys.
Director of Congregational Excellence
Black Church Development & New Church Starts, United Methodist Church
Lakeland, FL
05.2009 - 06.2013
- Delivered commendable service to over 85 Black Churches (63 African American Churches, 5 Caribbean Churches, and 17 Haitian Churches) with over 19,000 members and 142 pastors, providing leadership and congregational development, pastoral coaching, mediation, and workshops and seminars
- Led, coached, and trained 9 districts as District Coordinator during the Annual Conference
- Notable Highlights & Contributions:
- Organized and facilitated 25+ seminars and trainings, providing access to tools and best practices for 1,500+ participants
- Topics included leadership for new pastors, conflict mediation, administration and finance management, and other related areas
- Authored and produced a training DVD entitled 8 Essential Lessons for Living a Fruitful Life for small groups as a resource for self-care practices and effective leadership
- Provided congregational training in the areas of transformation and community outreach
- Recruited and coached visionary pastors for new church starts throughout the Annual Conference
- Served as a conflict coach and mediator for congregational crises.
Senior Pastor
United Methodist Church
Washington, DC
07.1998 - 09.2018
Senior Pastor/Community Leader
United Methodist Church
Greenwood, MS
06.1993 - 06.1998
Student Pastor/Student Leader
United Methodist Church
Atlanta, GA
06.1990 - 05.1993
Education
Doctorate of Psychology - undefined
University of the Rockies
2017
Master’s of Divinity - undefined
Interdenominational Theological Center (Gammon)
1993
Bachelor’s of Arts - undefined
Tougaloo College
1983
Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) - undefined
Diversity Training University International
2020
Diversity & Inclusion for HR Certificate - undefined
Cornell University
2020
Certified Clergy Coach - undefined
2015
undefined
2013
undefined
2011
Affiliations
Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) | Society of Diversity 2023
Engaging Bold & Inclusive Conversations | Winters Group 2022
Train the Trainer Course | Society for Diversity 2022
Timeline
Vice President
Converge
09.2018 - 07.2023
Senior Pastor, Director
Black Church Ministries | United Methodist Church
07.2016 - 09.2018
Director of Multi
Cultural & Justice Ministries | United Methodist Church
06.2013 - 07.2016
Director of Congregational Excellence
Black Church Development & New Church Starts, United Methodist Church
05.2009 - 06.2013
Senior Pastor
United Methodist Church
07.1998 - 09.2018
Senior Pastor/Community Leader
United Methodist Church
06.1993 - 06.1998
Student Pastor/Student Leader
United Methodist Church
06.1990 - 05.1993
Senior Pastor, Shepherd
Doctorate of Psychology - undefined
University of the Rockies
Master’s of Divinity - undefined
Interdenominational Theological Center (Gammon)
Bachelor’s of Arts - undefined
Tougaloo College
Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) - undefined
Diversity Training University International
Diversity & Inclusion for HR Certificate - undefined
Cornell University
Certified Clergy Coach - undefined
undefined
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