Learn more about the Black Congregational Enhancement Office

Meet the associate for the Black Congregational Enhancement

The Rev. A. Vanessa Hawkins serves as the associate for the Black Congregational Enhancement Office where she is charged to assist the PC(USA) in addressing the needs of the African-American congregations.

Contact Vanessa at (888) 728-7228 x5697 or by email.

Read the Rev. Hawkins’ biography.

Where is Vanessa now? See the Reverend Hawkins' travel schedule.

Theological context

The universal unconditional love of God as known in Jesus Christ empowers Black Presbyterians to be prophetic witnesses of the power of that love to transform people, history, cultures and institutions. The Black Presbyterian legacy of prophetic leaders for justice and a culturally plural society has been transformational for the church and the world. Black Presbyterian congregations will proclaim the gospel from an Afrocentric Christian spirituality that will liberate people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Historical context

African Americans have been members of the Presbyterian Church since 1747. The Rev. John Gloucester formed the first African-American congregation in 1807 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The founding leaders named the congregation, “First African Presbyterian Church.” Three additional churches were developed between 1824-1849. African-American membership in the Presbyterian Church grew steadily until the later part of 1960s or early 1970s when it began to decline. The Black Congregational Enhancement Office was created in the 1996 PC(USA) Mission Design to provide leadership for increasing new church developments, congregational transformation in existing churches, evangelism and community outreach ministries and other program development.