Rev. Sharon James Fazel, M.F.A., M.Div. is retired from 16 years of professional congregational ministry in the UCC (UNITED Church of Christ). UCC is a mainline Protestant denomination whose founding in 1957 grew out of the union of several historic root traditions: Congregationalists, some of whom sailed to the “new world” on the Mayflower, and whose ranks later included “founding father” John Adams; German Evangelical & Reformed churches; Christian & Disciples of Christ (U.S.A.) churches; and several 20^th century African American churches. UCC tradition champions issues of justice and inclusion; is devoted to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue; and whole-heartedly affirms the love of God for all humankind. Prior to ministry, Sharon enjoyed an early onstage career in live theatre, was on staff at A.R.E., taught at Old Dominion University, Norfolk and at Hamline University, St. Paul, MN as Assistant Professor of Theatre, and received her Master of Divinity degree from UNITED Seminary of the Twin Cities (UTS) in Minnesota. In January, 2000, Sharon and her spouse Rev. Christopher Fazel (retired) began their call as Co-Lead Ministers, in Minnesota. They are A.R.E. Life Members; and proud parents of one vibrant adult child!

Rev. Dr. Nicole Charles is an ordained Interfaith Minister. She holds a doctorate in Interfaith Theology specializing in spirituality and health from the New Seminary of Interfaith Studies; and a masters in Integrative Health from Georgian Court University. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses specializing in Community Health, Integrative Nutrition, and Behavioral Health within the City/State University of New York (CUNY/SUNY). Her passion is being in service to others so they may be change agents in their communities. Her specialized focus has been in addressing the Social Determinants of Health, health equity, and Mind-Body Medicine practices. 

Rev. Dr. Charles has concentrated her career in non-profit executive management and higher education institutions and has worked for the United Nations, The Rockefeller Foundation, The National Urban League (Headquarters), Social Science Research Council, Columbia University, and the New School for Social Research to name a few. She currently is the Chief Executive Officer of Edgar Cayce’s - Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) which seeks to create opportunities for profound personal change in body, mind, and spirit through the wisdom found in the Edgar Cayce Material.   

Having travelled extensively through various countries in Africa and the Caribbean isles, Nicole has been able to honor her many passions within research of Afro-spiritual traditions and indigenous-natural medicine. Her love of people, and the sharing of personal and collective stories, has supported her deep spiritual practice of honoring, prayer, and meditation. This pursuit has also allowed her to examine the common spiritual principles and practices amongst all peoples, cultures, and religions reminding each of us our mission is to be of service to and for each other.

Christopher Naughton is a former New Jersey trial attorney, six time Emmy® award winning host and producer of The American Law Journal, and host of the NPR-affiliate radio program New World Radio. He likely holds the singular distinction of studying the psychic readings of Edgar Cayce while attending Pat Robertson’s graduate school for Broadcast Journalism at what is today Regent University. He is a Life Member of A.R.E. and longtime congregant and board member at Unity churches in New Jersey and Virginia. Christopher’s recently released book is America’s Next Great Awakening which examines the convergence of mysticism, religion, atheism and science and its impact on the nation’s consciousness.

Bishop Dr. Jack L. Bomar is a native of Tennessee and founder of Blessing Hands USA, INC, a non-profit humanitarian organization established to revive, restructure and revitalize communities. He presently serves as Presiding Bishop of Hillside International and Lead Pastor at UNITED Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Bishop Jack has served as Senior Minister for various communities around the country to include: Unity Church of Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii; the United Palace Cathedral in New York, New York; Unity Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee; Unity By The Sea in Santa Monica, California; South Side Unity Center of Christianity in Chicago, Illinois; as Senior Associate Minister at Hillside International Chapel & Truth Center located in Atlanta, Georgia; and as International Guest Minster at Unity of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia.

He received his Doctor of Ministry Degree with a concentration on Parish Revitalization & Building the Beloved Community from McCormick Theological Seminary, located in Chicago, Illinois. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Chicago Theological Seminary; the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lane College, located in Jackson, Tennessee; a ministerial ordination from the Barbara King School of Ministry, located in Atlanta, Georgia; and the ecclesiastical ministerial endorsement from the United Church of Religious Science.

His desire is to serve as a conduit that fosters a greater sense of self-awareness, spiritual enlightenment, and God-consciousness with the communities in which he serves. His hope is to encourage people of diverse backgrounds to transcend differences, bridge communication, and build a coalition that leads to the achievement of a common purpose, a unified and loving community.

Rev. Victoria Thomas is an ordained Agape International Minister and faculty member at Agape University. She is a certified yoga teacher, certified Reiki Master, certified Ho’Oponopono practitioner, sound healer, inspirational speaker, writer, and spiritual counselor. She is the Spiritual Director of the Agape East Spiritual Center in Coastal VA.

Victoria inspires and empowers through her workshops and classes. She speaks powerfully on a variety of topics such as self-care, addiction and recovery, the shamanic initiation and vocation, conscious parenting, spiritual healing, forgiveness, affirmative prayer, and science and spirituality. As a member of the Agape International University faculty, she developed and taught Prayer Warrior for seven year, one of the prerequisites towards becoming an Agape Licensed Spiritual Practitioner.

For over twelve years, Victoria led Agape International’s Health & Wholeness Ministry, serving individuals who are facing diagnosis and illnesses through prayer support, hospital and in-home visits, and leading a monthly support group teaching Truth Principles and Affirmative Prayer Technology.

Victoria has led support groups at the Women’s Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, teaching spiritual principles and practices to the incarcerated.

Prior to entering the path of ministry, she co-facilitated drug awareness classes and taught parenting classes.

She awakens in others a greater self-love and embodiment of the Indwelling Presence of Light.

Bishop Pearson attended Oral Roberts University, and was mentored by Oral Roberts. After studying at the Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he majored in Bible Literature English Bible, he served as Associate evangelist for the Oral Roberts Association and the ORU Board of Regents for 15 years on its Board of Regents. He has received several honorary doctoral degrees. His annual Azusa conference, held on the Campus of the Oral Roberts University, saw attendance swell as high as some 50,000 during the week-long event. He was licensed and ordained in the Church of God in Christ and was ordained as a Bishop. In 2000 he campaigned for George W. Bush and following the presidential inauguration and was invited to the White House. His work expands all sectors of society and walks of life. He is known as the Bishop of the People His annual Azusa conference, held on the Campus of the Oral Roberts University, saw attendance swell as high as some 50,000 during the week-long event. The popular conference helped give exposure to numerous now well-known and highly successful leaders, musicians, singers and public speakers who now enjoy an international platform and worldwide recognition. ​ 

​Pearson feels the mandate to help enhance the possibilities of peace on the planet through his emphases on a more inclusive approach to spirituality, encouraging interfaith dialogue and fellowship. He teaches that we don't have to go along to get along, that we can mind many of the same things without necessarily having the same mind about everything. His work towards racial reconciliation, bridging the gap between ethnic groups, nations and denominations, has given him audience with kings, presidents, other government officials and people of influence, both in America and abroad. He has been welcomed in and invited to speak in Synagogues, Islamic groups, and atheist and agnostic organizations along with developing relationships with a variety of other spiritual communities. 

Bishop Pearson emphasizes expanded consciousness, radically inclusive love and Self-Actualization (the development of the personal Self and Soul, beyond impersonations and role playing). Our mission is to help create and inspire comprehensive global, planetary and cosmic peace on every level of human experience and expression. Our purpose is to help create and provide people with both techniques and emotional technologies to both discover and recover their divine selves, bridging our humanity to our divinity. We are about renewing and re-knowing who we are as not only human beings looking for spiritual experiences, but spirits having individual as well as collective earthly encounters. Navigating and negotiating through these encounters calls on and calls up what he calls the God gene, genius and/or genie (energy) resident in all of us; that life doesn't just happen to us, but through us and as us. 

Rev. Jim Blake has more than three decades of study and service in New Thought traditions and organizations. He rejoined Unity World Headquarters as CEO in 2016, having previously served as chief information officer and vice president of Operations from 2006 to 2011. Prior to being named CEO, he served with global leading innovators in the traffic and energy industries. Rev. Blake has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience with some of the fastest growing and most innovative companies in North America. Jim has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Central Methodist University and a Master of Divinity from the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 2021. Jim’s first book, The Zen Executive: Gems of Wisdom for Enlightened Leadership, won a 2022 silver Living Now award in the category of personal growth.

Reverend Ann Frances was welcomed as the minister to Unity Church of Tidewater November 1, 2017. She is a 2014 graduate of Unity Institute and Seminary, Unity Village, MO. and was licensed and ordained through Unity Worldwide Ministries. In 2007 she began her Unity studies and began her metaphysics career in 2011 as a Licensed Unity Teacher. Shortly upon embarking on her LUT path, a path evolved into ministry.

Embracing Unity principles changed Reverend Ann’s life. Unity took the Bible off a shelf in her home and it became a metaphysical tool to enhance her life and teachings today. Understanding that we are born of Original Blessing has opened up the avenue of good in Rev Ann’s life. Prayer followed by trust in the process is her ongoing practice of thought.

She brings to Unity Church of Tidewater a broad range of spiritual teaching and leadership experience: Sunday Services, special Holiday Services, World Day of Prayer Service, White Stone Ceremony, Burning Bowl Ceremony and healing services. Reverend Ann is also a trainer of Unity Prayer Chaplains and she will facilitate various adult education curriculum following the Unity Spiritual Education and Enrichment Programs. Reverend Ann believes that while pursuing continuing education is when lasting change truly begins.

Reverend Ann also has training and experience as a spiritual counselor using the Unity 5-step Counseling Process as developed by Reverend Robert Brumet. During her schooling, she interned at Rosebrook Women’s Shelter.

As a passionate and vibrant speaker Reverend Ann demonstrates that goodness is our Divine Nature. All are invited to uncover, discover and recover the Light of God expressing uniquely as them. Jesus said, “You are the Light of the World.”