We are excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith and Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott to the Southwest Conference staff!
Dr. Gloria is our ACM for Search, Call, and Congregational Transitions, and Dr. Derrick is our ACM for Authorization, Accountability, and Discernment. They will officially begin on November 1. Congratulations!
We bid a fond farewell to our Bridge ACMS, Rev. Leslie Etheredge and Rev. Dr. JJ Flag for so beautifully filling these vital roles this year. We're full of gratitude for the many gifts they brought to the Southwest Conference.
Thank you all for saying "yes" to this sacred work of conference ministry.
The best is yet to come!
Meet our new ACMs:
The Reverend Doctor Gloria Smith comes to her new Southwest Conference leadership position with a wealth of experience, a varied education and a deep faith. Raised in Indiana, Gloria holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, an M.B.A. from the University of Indianapolis, M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary as well as a Master of Arts in Religion. Gloria describes herself as a perpetual student, constantly seeking new knowledge.
Dr. Gloria also brings a rich work history having served as Senior Minister at Encanto Community Church, adjunct faculty in business for Northern Arizona University and Scottsdale Community College, interim Minister at Desert Surprise UCC in Arizona and Evangelical United Church of Christ and Pleasant Valley UCC in Indiana as well as consulting with several UCC churches in SWC. She was founder and president of Revitalizing Human Potential, Inc that provided alcohol and drug education for numerous Indiana County Court Systems and provided consulting to business. She has also served as a Supervisor/Counselor for the Marion County Court System. She was grandfathered in as a Master Addiction Counselor through National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Dr. Gloria was awarded the Religious Award from the NAACP of Maricopa County.
Dr. Gloria states that her call to the ministry came in her late teens and that it was unexpected but without uncertainty. She views her bi-vocational skills in both business and theology to be an attribute in her ministry.
Dr. Gloria is a strong leader who has a passion for justice. She has been exposed to prejudice against women, gay people and people of Native American heritage. She has transformed these experiences into a commitment to creating spaces and policies that reflect the radical inclusion and hospitality of the United Church of Christ.
Dr. Gloria is a deeply committed animal lover, and animals are weekly congregants in her church. Gloria and her spouse, Debbye, live on a horse ranch and share their property with a community of cats while waiting to provide a loving home for a dog in the near future.
The Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott serves the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ as Associate Conference Minister for Authorization, Accountability, and Discernment. He supports the authorization process of clergy, ministry leaders, and mentors within accountability, guiding them through their discerning process in exploring one's call to the ministry.
With a profound passion for building future church leaders, Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott has served on the Committee on Ministry within the Southwest Conference, mentoring numerous members in discernment, ordained clergy, and chaplains in the Air Force and various chaplaincy settings. As the pastor of two congregations—Desert Heritage Church in Mesa, AZ, and Sun Lakes United Church of Christ in Sun Lakes, AZ—he brings leadership and vision to these communities.
Initially raised Baptist, Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott found inspiration in the United Church of Christ through its "God is Still Speaking" campaign, which led him to pursue ordination as a UCC minister in 2016. His ministry deals with justice, inclusivity, and community-building, focusing on spiritual leadership for these most diverse and changing times.
Before ordination, the Rev. Dr. Elliott was an enlisted administrative assistant and military intelligence officer for twelve years in the Louisiana National Guard, as well as, retiring afterward from active service as a chaplain with the Air Force Reserve with the rank of Captain, serving at Peterson Space Force Base. His diversified professional experiences include working as an elementary school teacher, Community Outreach Specialist for Homeless Veterans, Correctional Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, and Youth Worship Leader.
Reverend Dr. Elliott received his Doctor of Ministry from the Wesley Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from the United Theological Seminary, a Master of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He also completed four Clinical Pastoral Education units, further enhancing his pastoral practice and ministry leadership.
Beyond his work as a pastor in local churches, Rev. Dr. Elliott has worked on the denominational level of the United Church of Christ as a member of several boards to shape and complete the wider mission and vision of the United Church of Christ. He continues his involvement and passion for global justice and partnership through Global Ministries-a common witness of the Disciples' Division of Overseas Ministries (DOM) and the UCC's Wider Church Ministries (WCM)-where he has maintained active participation in cross-cultural ministry and cooperation.
Rev. Dr. Elliott enjoys gardening, cycling, swimming, and running. So far, he has completed five sprint triathlons. He has been married for almost twenty years and values family and friends dearly as he nurtures relationships that continue to bless him in and out of the ministry.