On the recordNovember 29, 2012
It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Leslie D. Callahan to serve as our guest chaplain today. I have known Dr. Callahan since she was a toddler and am proud to say that she is the dedicated senior pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, its first female leader in 119 years. Dr. Callahan is a religion scholar who received her bachelor of arts in religion from Harvard University/Radcliff College, a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York, and doctor of philosophy in religion from Princeton University. A native of Gary, West Virginia, and resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Callahan has been publicly preaching since the age of 19. She is noted for her dynamic preaching and teaching gifts and as a minister who plays a major role in shaping the future of the African American church. She is the mother of 2-month-old Annabelle, or Bella. Reverend Callahan's character is captured in her favorite scripture from Psalm 27:4: One thing I desired of the Lord, that I shall seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek God in God's temple. ____________________
