DANTÉ UPSHAW
Baltimore,MD
Summary
From the overflow of the love of God, my life pursuit and passion is to encourage and equip individuals to know the love of God, and grow deeper as emotionally and spiritually mature followers of Christ.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nature-based Programs Manager
Stillmeadow Community Projects Inc.
01.2024 - Current
- Leading cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes for our PeacePark.
- Develop and implement strategic reforestation initiatives for our 10 acre urban forest to improve organizational performance .
- Mentoring junior team members for career development by fostering a pipeline of future leaders within urban ecology.
- Mediate staff member conflicts by actively listening to concerns and helping to find appropriate resolutions.
- Manage budgets to ensure optimal financial performance while investing in needed resources for organizational growth.
- Manage project timelines and resources, ensuring alignment with our organization's objectives for our Park's Master Plan.
- Facilitate training programs to enrich staff and volunteers to promote professional and personal development.
Associate Pastor/ Elder
Stillmeadow Community Fellowship
09.2023 - Current
- Facilitate community outreach and evangelistic programs to strengthen community engagement and spiritual growth.
- Develop sermon series content with Preaching Team to align with church mission and congregational needs.
- Oversee volunteer leaders by providing mentorship and training.
- Coordinate weekly worship services, as well as officiate special services such as baptisms, communion, and holidays.
- Provide pastoral care by addressing individual member needs through counseling and support services.
- Lead programs such as discipleship courses, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Interact with local community by building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.
Mentor for Spiritual Recovery
Helping Up Mission
07.2023 - Current
- Serving as a mentor and providing pastoral counseling through a spiritual recovery program.
- Facilitate weekly classes for men recovering from addiction, homelessness, and trauma.
- Liaison for men seeking to reintegrate into the community through churches and advocacy programs.
- Providing discipleship for men through spiritual life classes.
- Chapel speaker for weekly graduation programs and plenary sessions
- Providing counseling for men in residential recovery program.
Program Director & Campus Pastor for Baltimore Urban Studies
Living & Learning Education Non-profit
03.2021 - 01.2025
- Co-founded an urban, Christ-centered study-away college program focused on public health and reconciliation.
- Developed community partnerships for internships for students.
- Traveled across the country to cast vision on college campus to recruit students.
- Provided pastoral care and leadership for staff and students.
- Associate professor for Christian Theology & Spiritual Formation course.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings.
- Developed and maintained donor partnerships for personal and program fund raising.
Associate Pastor for Discipleship & Ministry
Solano Community Church
10.2017 - 02.2021
- Provided pastoral oversight and administrative management of all areas of ministry.
- Served as an Elder and Teaching Pastor.
- Responsible for the implementation of discipleship programs and home groups.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and community outreach services in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco.
- Provided pastoral care and counseling through hospital visits and hospice care.
- Supervised the church staff and ministry leaders.
- Led renovation and expansion project, successfully renovating an older church building.
Dean of Students and Director of Urban Gospel Arts Ministry
Hope Academy
08.2013 - 10.2017
- Assisted the Principal and Vice Principal in shepherding the hearts of students, staff and families.
- Provided counseling and support for staff, students, and families weekly and during crisis situations.
- Provided support for teachers and staff through cultural competency training
- Coordinated fall and spring drama productions.
- Taught Bible, Oral Rhetoric, and drama classes.
- Developed strategies to improve student behavior school-wide and built morale to help teachers better manage classroom environments.
- Established and enforced school-wide disciplinary procedures to nurture students and support staff.
National Director of African-American Ministries
Evangelical Free Church of America-EFCA
01.2004 - 09.2012
- Provided national leadership by recruiting, retaining, and reproducing Black pastors and ministry leaders within the EFCA denomination.
- Provided pastoral care for Black pastors and their wives.
- Worked alongside urban pastors in their fundraising efforts.
- Coordinated fellowship events to connect Black pastors and their wives to each other and the EFCA.
- Developed a curriculum for Biblical diversity and reconciliation called the Cross-Cultural Compass.
- National speaker, workshop presenter, and Consultant for Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.
- Served as an instructor for EFCA's Gateway Theological Institute.
Assistant Director of Christian Outreach
Wheaton College
08.2001 - 01.2004
- Provided oversight and training for student leaders of urban focused ministries.
- Provided leadership development for student ministry leaders.
- Organized campus-wide missions conference and other outreach service projects and events.
- Facilitated trainings for cross-cultural competencies for faculty and staff.
Youth Pastor & Elder
Rock of Our Salvation /Circle Urban Ministries
11.1997 - 07.2006
- Provided pastoral leadership for inner-city Chicago youth, church members and the community.
- Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.
- Provided oversight for volunteer youth leaders.
- Served as a Youth Pastor and Teaching Pastor.
- Served as an Elder and Church Chairman.
- Facilitated training for racial reconciliation for staff, volunteers, and the community.
Education
M.A. INCOMPLETE - Evangelism and Spiritual Formation
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL01.2004
B.A. - Pastoral Studies
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL01.1997
B.A. INCOMPLETE - Theatre and Communications
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GA01.1994
Skills
- Recruiting
- Project & Event Planning
- Counseling
- Conflict resolution
- Public Speaking
- Creativity & Innovation
- Teaching
- Relationship-building
- Team leadership
- Coaching and mentoring
Certification
- Licensed and Ordained, 1994, Berean Bible Baptist, Atlanta, GA; Transfer of Ordination, 2008, Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), North Central District Association
- Certified Consultant, 2013, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and Emotionally Healthy Relationship Courses
Timeline
Nature-based Programs Manager
Stillmeadow Community Projects Inc.
01.2024 - Current
Associate Pastor/ Elder
Stillmeadow Community Fellowship
09.2023 - Current
Mentor for Spiritual Recovery
Helping Up Mission
07.2023 - Current
Program Director & Campus Pastor for Baltimore Urban Studies
Living & Learning Education Non-profit
03.2021 - 01.2025
Associate Pastor for Discipleship & Ministry
Solano Community Church
10.2017 - 02.2021
Dean of Students and Director of Urban Gospel Arts Ministry
Hope Academy
08.2013 - 10.2017
National Director of African-American Ministries
Evangelical Free Church of America-EFCA
01.2004 - 09.2012
Assistant Director of Christian Outreach
Wheaton College
08.2001 - 01.2004
Youth Pastor & Elder
Rock of Our Salvation /Circle Urban Ministries
11.1997 - 07.2006
B.A. - Pastoral Studies
Moody Bible Institute
B.A. INCOMPLETE - Theatre and Communications
Morehouse College
M.A. INCOMPLETE - Evangelism and Spiritual Formation
Wheaton College