Rev. Teresa L. Jenkins, an Ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Church, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her roles. She is the Founder of Only Imagine Life Coaching and an inspirational author of "Dwelling in the Secret Place One Day at a Time”, her 35-day account of healing from COVID-19. Rev. Teresa is also the Founder and Convenor of the Unleashing the Jewel Family Empowerment Conference. She has served as Chairperson for Project Shatter, a faith-based initiative that brought awareness about sex trafficking to Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York communities.
Rev. Teresa has served the Women's Missionary Society on the local, conference, and district levels. Most recently, she served as the First District's second vice president, where she was instrumental in planning Learning Institutes and virtual learning experiences.
Rev. Teresa has served as a Stewardess, Steward, YPD Director, Christian Education Director, and Church School teacher.
Rev. Teresa's community involvement includes membership in the Theta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nowell Academy Charter School board member, and Women and Infants' new Labor & Delivery Center Campaign Steering Committee member.
Rev. Teresa has worked in Human Services for 34 years and is a Social Work Supervisor for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. She graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry. She has also earned a master’s degree in public administration, A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Wilberforce University, and a Graduate Certificate in Women in Politics and Public Policy from UMASS, Boston.
Rev. Teresa has spent years building relationships and helping individuals catapult their untapped passions into living purposefully. Thus, her belief in becoming a part of something greater than herself is why she believes we must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. A Greek proverb best states, "A society grows great when old men/women plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
Rev. Teresa has been married to Pastor Howard Jenkins for 38 years, and they are the proud parents of Howard III, Daughter-in-love Latarsha, and Daughter Morgan. Rev. Jenkins loves spending time with her grandchildren, Lynnea, Howard IV, and Lydia.