Meet Our Pastor and Our Staff

Our Pastor

Reverend Leslie Vanessa Johnson is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Church. She is a graduate of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology where she received her Master of Divinity Degree along with numerous other academic and leadership honors. Rev. Johnson was the First African American female to have been awarded the prestigious Woodruff Fellowship in recognition of having demonstrated excellence in religious studies. Her experience includes working with the NC State Judicial Branch of the Family Court System and interagency organizations such as mental health, foster care.

Rev. Johnson has also been appointed to various positions within the 7th Episcopal District of the AME Church. She is a member of the Board of Examiners for the South Carolina Conference and is the President of Women in Ministry in the Beaufort District. Above all, Rev. Johnson is extremely grateful for the privilege and the honor of shepherding God’s people.

Alicia Coleman is a native of Hilton Head Island, SC and was reared in Hardeeville, SC. She received her childhood education in the local schools in Hardeeville, graduating with honors. She attended the Technical College of the Low Country, course of study Business Administration. She is a graduate of ITC (International Denominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA; Allen University, Columbia, SC site), with a certificate in Theology. She is currently a student at Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio Savannah, Ga. Site, pursuing her studies in Divinity. Rev. Coleman serves as the Clergy Administrative Assistant at St. Stephen and as an assistant to the Pastor.

Support Staff

Yolanda Aiken

Linda Brownlee

Tonya Gaston

Church Officers

Steward Board Chair: Bro. Jerome Mikell

Trustee Chair: Patrick Lawyer