Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color Pastoral Residency
DeShay Freemyer-Jackson (she/they)
Our Inaugural Trans BIPOC Pastoral Resident, 2024-25
From Louisiana and Texas
Featured on HBO’s “We’re Here”
Serves fabulosity and love at all times
See their full bio here!
Our church is committed to supporting the emerging leadership of trans and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) ministers. Every two years, we hire an Associate Minister who holds both of those identities.
The most challenging job search for pastors is the first one, which comes before they have official experience as a pastor on their resume. For transgender pastors, this initial job search is much more challenging. In a transgender caucus at the 2023 United Church of Christ (UCC) General Synod, clergy participants who were out as transgender reported actively searching for their first ministry job for four to five years before being hired.
The UCC is arguably the most transgender-friendly mainline protestant denomination in the United States. Demographically, the UCC is predominantly white, which can make it more difficult for BIPOC clergy to be hired for the first time. This difficulty multiplies exponentially for aspiring clergy who are both transgender and BIPOC.
Our program proposes to remove some of the barriers for aspiring clergy who are both trans and BIPOC by offering a pastoral residency for first-time pastors that is only open to people who hold both identities. The resident will serve two years as an Associate Minister in a UCC congregation. At the completion of the program, the resident will have grown their ministry skills in a supportive environment and gained sufficient pastoral experience to significantly ease their future career advancement.
How to Apply
Our current application cycle is now closed. Please check back in late 2025.
Support this program
In order to continue the work of hosting this program, we are in need of funding. Please be in touch with our Pastor if you would like to donate to this program. Please purchase tickets to our Folk music benefit concert below! Proceeds directly fund this Trans BIPOC Pastoral Residency Program!
