Staff & Leadership

She is an ordained minister and has previously served as Associate Dean for Academics and Assistant Professor of Scripture & Ministry at Logsdon Seminary of Hardin-Simmons University, in congregational ministry, and with other Baptist organizations. Meredith received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Hardin-Simmons University, and earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. Meredith is the author of Empire and Gender in LXX Esther (SBL Press, 2018), along with other academic publications and articles related to women in ministry and religious gender justice. Meredith’s advocacy for women among Baptists has been featured in national news outlets such as CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, and Religion News Service. She lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband James and their children.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Barbara 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.  Upon graduating from Princeton, She faithfully served as an Assistant to the Pastor for Youth and College Students at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA until 2023. Throughout her ministry, Barbara’s commitments include advocating for safe spaces for women and children and celebrating the role of the arts in prophetic witness.  In addition to her work as the Director of Supporting Women in Ministry at Baptist Women in Ministry, Rev. Lavarin is a Spiritual Director. She is proudly married to Rev. Dr. Marc Antoine, pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church. Currently, they are loving their new hometown of Durham, NC where they are raising their one year old son, Marc Antoine Jr and are excitedly anticipating the arrival of their second child in December 2024.  In her free time, you can find Barbara writing poetry, shopping, watching Marvel movies and finding the next best restaurant.

Previously, she served as the Director of Development for the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University.Prior to her time at Baylor she served in various fundraising positions for Habitat for Humanity NYC, the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, and Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City.
Heather received her Bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University, Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor, and Master of Social Work from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Work from the Garland School. Heather lives in Waco, Texas.

Previously, she worked with the non-profit organization, Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse. She also spent time in Bali, Indonesia as a minister alongside CBF field personnel. Laura has a B.A. in Christian Studies from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and an M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology. She is originally from Abilene, Texas and currently lives in Waco, Texas.

 Hannah previously worked at Neighborly, formerly The Dwyer Group, as a Staff Accountant from 2014-2016. In 2016 she started as the Staff Accountant for Lisa Hull, CPA, working with multiple small businesses in the Waco, TX area.She also started working for Seventh and James Baptist Church in 2017 where she gained experience and knowledge in non-profit accounting. While working in the accounting field Hannah has found a passion for helping others understand and implement the best and most efficient financial practices. Hannah is a native to Waco, TX. She still lives there with her husband, DJ, and two young children. She enjoys being out in nature and being active with her family as much as possible.