Rev. Stephanie M. Atkins, a native Washingtonian, was educated in Archdiocese of Washington, DC Catholic Schools. She is a veteran of the United States Navy. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, a Master of Divinity from the Howard University School of Divinity, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Nonfiction Writing from Goucher College in Towson, MD.

 

She is a former member of the Historic Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church where her pastor and mother in African Methodism is the Rt. Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie. She answered her call to ministry and preached her initial sermon in 2003 under Rev. Dr. Michael O. Thomas. She served on the ministerial staff at Mt. Calvary A.M.E. Church under Rev. Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller for 10 years. She relocated to Charlotte, N.C. in 2015. She has pastored St. Stephen A.M.E.-Gilead (WNCC), Mt. Zoar A.M.E. Conowingo, MD and Elevation Chapel A.M.E. Church (BAC). She was appointed pastor of Waters Memorial A.M.E. Church (Philadelphia, PA) in May 2021.

 

Rev. Stephanie a former teacher of Science and Social Studies to 4th/5th grade students at The Belair-Edison School, devotes herself to making life better for others in various ways. She started Mink’s Signature Desserts and bakes cakes, pies, cookies, and desserts as a home-based business. She is an author, preacher, teacher, and dancer. She is a facilitator and workshop presenter for Women, Single Parents, Anti-bullying, Youth Violence Prevention, Creative Writing and Dance Ministry Development.  

 

She is married to Ajene Atkins and the mother of two daughters, Sequoya Monee’ and Aaronica Domonique and her bonus son, Amir and GiGi to Mink her six year-old granddaughter. She lives by the scripture in Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God has been faithful unto her!