Reverend Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain loves the Lord and gave her life to Christ when she was in elementary school. She presently serves as the executive director for American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) and is a member of the National Executive Council for American Baptist Churches, USA. American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry which encourages and empowers women, young women, and girls to serve God. AB Women’s Ministries equips women, young women, and girls to lead in their churches, communities, and beyond, addressing immigration, cross cultural relationships, intergenerational mentoring, economic empowerment, domestic violence, and sex trafficking.
Rev. Dr. Gina served as the Transitional Pastor for First Baptist Church of New Market in Piscataway, New Jersey; Interim Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Associate Regional Pastor for Women in Ministry for American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ); and is an Associate Minister of Christian Education at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey.
In her role as teacher, Gina especially enjoys facilitating and inspiring Christian educators to share the Word of God in collaborative and interactive studies, helping teacher and student discover immediate application of the God’s word to their everyday lives. Rev. Jacobs-Strain has served as a guest preacher/lecturer at Drew University Theological School, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, ABC-NJ Academy, and the Wellness Lounge Webcast. She contributed to the “Testify: ABC-NJ Devotional” book released in 2015. In 2016 she co-launched the Christian Education Workshop Series, “Leading Interactive and Engaging Bible Studies (L.I.B.S. TM)” at the ABCNJ annual Church Officers and Leaders Conference (COAL) and in 2017 created a conversation series, “The Intersection of Leadership and Healing.” She is deeply grateful for every opportunity to share the word of God and to be in fellowship with those who know and those who are seeking the witness of Jesus Christ’s redemptive love.
Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain earned a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University and graduated from Drew University’s Theological School Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree. She also received the Old Testament Studies Scholar Award from the Biblical Studies Department. In 2015 she received a Certificate of Excellence from Palmer Theological Seminary & ABC-NJ Academy, and graduated from the Nehemiah-Leadership Program in 2017. In May 2020, she earned a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University. She is married to Cliff Strain. They have three sons and reside in West Orange, NJ.
Phone Number: 610-768-2284
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