Rev. Barbara Florvil Lavarin
Director of Supporting Women in Ministry
barbaralavarin@bwim.info
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Rev. Barbara Lavarin is a proud daughter of Haitian immigrants. Barbara earned her B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. At Princeton, she faithfully served as the co-chair of the Association of Black Seminarians’ Women’s Fellowship focusing her scholarship in Black Church Studies, and Women, Gender, and Theology Studies.
Rev. Lavarin was licensed to preach the Gospel at the Historic Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Arlee Arkofa. She then went on to joyfully serve as the Assistant to the Pastor for Youth and College at the Historic Alfred Street Baptist Church, in Alexandria, VA, where she was ordained by the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley.
Rev. Lavarin has also earned her certification as a Spiritual Director from the renowned Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C. In addition to ministry, Rev. Lavarin is a gifted poet and writer. In all that she does, she prays to contribute to others living more abundantly in Christ.
“Rev. Barbara Florvil Lavarin is the kind of minister that people want to follow. She speaks with wisdom, pastors with a non-anxious presence, is grounded in prayer, and moves the ministries under her leadership forward with great vision and creativity.”– Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Virginia Theological Seminary and Senior Assistant to the Pastor and Director of Education at Alfred Street Baptist Church
“I am so excited that Rev. Barbara Florvil Lavarin has been called to use her many gifts to serve as the Director of Supporting Women in Ministry. She is a proven and accomplished leader who will bring a fresh voice and enthusiasm to this important work at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history for Baptist women ministry leaders. I am confident that Rev. Lavarin will increase and amplify the great work that BWIM has done while helping to equip Baptist women to thrive and prosper in the Baptist communities where they serve.” – Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, Senior Associate General Secretary and Director of Advocacy for the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
“Rev. Lavarin’s personal passion aligns perfectly with BWIM’s vision of seeing women thrive as they minister and lead among Baptists. In addition to her gifts in providing pastoral care and spiritual direction for women as well as creatively envisioning BWIM’s programs, Rev. Lavarin is also a gifted preacher and spoken word artist. She will continue to grow BWIM’s reach to support more women in ministry and help us expand our connections into more Baptist communities.”-Rev. Dr. Meredith Stone, BWIM Executive Director
Rev. Nikki Carroll Hardemon
Director of Advocating for Women in Ministry
nikkihardeman@bwim.info
Rev. Nikki Carroll Hardeman received a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and a Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University.
Following her education, Rev. Hardeman served local churches in Georgia through youth, young adult, and homebound ministry roles. She also ministered on the state denominational level as associate coordinator for congregational life at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia.
As her family grew, Rev. Hardeman chose to stay home with her children and pursue her vocational ministry through retreat-leading, supply-preaching, adjunct teaching, and writing and producing a small-group Bible study curriculum called FaithElement, which she continues today.
For the past nine years, Rev. Hardeman has served her alma mater, McAfee School of Theology, by supporting alumni and creating important partnerships for the school. She has also recently completed a tenure as Interim Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA, the home congregation of former President Jimmy Carter. Nikki is excited to join the staff of Baptist Women in Ministry and focus on advocating for the affirmation, elevation, and thriving of women in ministry among Baptists.
“Rev. Hardeman is first and foremost a good listener. She has the unique gift of celebrating women and connecting women in conversation. Rev. Hardeman works well with every person across racial, sexual, and neurodivergent identities.”– Rev. Dr. Angela N. Parker, Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at McAfee School of Theology
“Rev. Hardeman’s journey took many twists and turns as a church minister, a state CBF coordinator, and a seminary staff director. But, with each new ministry position over the years, Rev. Hardeman’s voice has been loud, clear, and unwavering as an advocate and supporter for women called to ministry. It only seems appropriate that the next step in her ministry career would be as BWIM’s Director of Advocating for Women in Ministry.”– Rev. Dr. Karen Massey, Associate Professor of Christian Education and Faith Development at McAfee and a former president of Baptist Women in Ministry (2002-2005)
“Rev. Hardeman has had success in many aspects of the Advocating for Women in Ministry role including curating resources, guiding ministers in vocational discernment, and growing initiatives that foreground the needs of women in ministry. Moreover, her experience in developing diverse partnerships for an historically white organization and becoming a trusted ally in BIPOC-led faith organizations demonstrates how her abilities and values align with BWIM’s hopes for growth in the future.”– Rev. Dr. Meredith Stone, BWIM Executive Director
An advisory team from Baptist Women in Ministry’s Board of Directors assisted with the hiring process and included Rev. Bianca Robinson Howard, Rev. Michael Mills, Rev. Leah Reed, and Rev. Molly Shoulta Tucker.
“I am excited about the future of BWIM with these two very capable women who will be great connectors and advocates for all types of Baptist women. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and networks of women who will benefit from BWIM and enhance its ministry.”– Rev. Bianca Robinson Howard, Member, BWIM Board of Directors and Member of Hiring Advisory Team
“Hiring for two positions concurrently is a momentous opportunity to invest in the future of BWIM. I am overwhelmed with the potential good that will be realized as Rev. Lavarin and Rev. Hardeman join the team. The future of BWIM has been bright for a while, and it is only getting brighter.”– Rev. Michael Mills, Member, BWIM Board of Directors and Member of Hiring Advisory Team
“Rev. Hardeman and Rev. Lavarin both bring unique and needed gifts that we trust will benefit the women who lean on BWIM’s supporting structures and the churches with whom BWIM partners. I am excited to see how they will challenge us to think more inclusively about women in ministry, and how they will expand BWIM’s reach so more women may articulate, embrace, and fully live into their callings.”– Rev. Molly Shoulta Tucker, Member, BWIM Board of Directors and Member of Hiring Advisory Team
“We are overjoyed to have Rev. Hardeman and Rev. Lavarin join the BWIM team! Their passion for our mission, coupled with their impressive backgrounds, and wide range of gifts, will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts in creating a more inclusive and just world for Baptist women in ministry. As BWIM continues to expand its reach and impact, the addition of Rev. Lavarin and Rev. Hardeman will allow our organization to grow tremendously in the incredibly important and timely work of affirming women in Baptist life.”– Rev. Leah Anderson Reed, Member, BWIM Board of Directors and Member of Hiring Advisory Team