Faith Leaders Education Series: Empowering Others To Heal From Loss

Dr. Kan’Dace Len Brock is a pastor, author, scholar, and CEO. Dr. K, as she is affectionately known, is Lead Pastor and Co-Founder of The Message Church. She is also the Founder/CEO of Honey Be YOU, a ministry empowering, encouraging, and equipping women. Her Honey Be YOU Women’s Conference ministers to 200+ women annually in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. K is the only child of Cedric M. and Len V. Council. She is a native of San Antonio, Texas and a 2002 honors graduate of Converse Judson High School. Dr. K is also a proud 2007 alumnus of the University of Texas at Arlington, obtaining dual Bachelors degrees in Social
Work and Sociology, respectively. While a track and field student-athlete at UTA, Dr. K was also a Ronald McNair Scholar and a Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society member. A firm believer in higher education, Dr. K is a 2010 graduate of Norfolk State University’s Master of
Clinical Social Work program, completing the program with a 3.8 GPA. In December 2021, she earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. K’s dissertation was entitled, “The Intersection of the Pulpit and the Pew: A Model for Transparent
Discipleship.”

Dr. K is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in Texas. In 2011, Dr. K served as a case manager with the City of San Antonio Metro Health District’s Healthy Start program. She connected pregnant and postpartum women and families with resources throughout Bexar County in this capacity. Dr. K also worked in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a Mental Health Specialist with the Kent County Head Start program, conducting behavioral assessments on 3-5 year-olds and making recommendations for learning adaptations. In addition, Dr. K was a facilitator for the Grand Rapids Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Willing to Wait” program; a six-week curriculum for Christian parents focused on appropriate ways to talk to their children about sexual abstinence until marriage. She currently works as a therapist for one of the largest health systems in San Antonio, Texas, conducting mental health assessments and making recommendations for continued care.

Dr. K is the co-author of the book, Can Jesus Get a Witness?: Sermons to Move You to Action. She is currently working on her second book entitled Honey Be You: A Devotional for Women. Dr. K is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and serves in
various capacities in the local community. From 2012 to 2013, she served as the Executive Director of The Promise of Hope, Incorporated, a 501c3 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While leading The Promise of Hope, Inc., Dr. K formed a partnership with a Grand Rapids elementary school in which The Promise of Hope facilitated an after-school program for 1st through 3rd grade students. As a result, the program increased literacy and overall student performance. Whether preaching, teaching, or consulting with ministries, Dr. K is known for her infectious smile, tenacious work ethic, and spirit of excellence.

From October 2015 – September 2017, Dr. K co-pastored the Joint-Base San Antonio Lackland Gospel Service, ministering weekly to 200+ families. Dr. K is married to Dr. Fredricc Gerard Brock. Together, they have been blessed with two children, Zo  Aaliyah and Chlo  Taliah. Dr. K’s life verse is found in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing is impossible.”

Chaplain Susan D. Douglas serves as a board-certified healthcare chaplain, educator, speaker, and researcher. She is endorsed by the Episcopal Church for this ministry, which has included hospital, hospice, and school positions, as well as voluntary service with community churches.

An active member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, Susan is currently the Vice Chair of the Professional Advisory Group for the Clinical Pastoral Education program run by the Baptist Health System, San Antonio. She serves on the Board of Directors for Jesse C. Fletcher seminary, supporting its continuing education mission. Susan co-founded the Military Ministry program for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, which supports active military, veterans, and their families in communities throughout central and west Texas. She also serves on the Seminary of the Southwest Alumni Steering Committee.

Susan holds a Doctor of Theology in Spiritual Care degree from the University of Theology & Spirituality, a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, a Post-graduate Certification in Adult Education from the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom, a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Management from the University of Maryland. She is certified in disaster spiritual care at the basic level.

Susan was born and raised in East Texas. She is an Air Force veteran, with 22 years of service, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Susan lives in Georgetown, Texas with her spouse and three aging rescue cats.

Rev. Katie Ivey holds a BA from the University of Iowa, a Master of Christian Ministry from Wayland Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Logsdon School of Theology, Hardin-Simmons University. She is Board Certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains.

At Mission Trail Baptist Hospital since 2011, Katie served as Staff Chaplain and in 2018 became the Director of Pastoral Care. She is heavily involved with patient experience and employee engagement efforts in addition to serving patients, their families, the physicians and staff. Katie is a favorite preceptor for Clinical Pastoral Education students. The recipient of several awards for excellence in her teaching career, she continues to be honored for her outstanding work as a chaplain and leader. Most recently, she was named a Tenet Hero for 2021, a prestigious recognition given to only 70 of Tenet Health’s 110,000 employees.

Katie is a member of First Baptist Church San Antonio and endorsed by Texas Baptists. She serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Fletcher Seminary.

EDWARD K. MANEY
Chaplain (Colonel), U.S. Army Retired
Fort Sam Houston Installation Chaplain (July 2002 – September 2005)
Chief, Fort Sam Houston Casualty Assistance Center (CAC)
(September 14, 2009 – January 31, 2018)
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Colonel Edward K. Maney is a product of the great Eastside of San Antonio. He graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1971 at the top of his class. He received a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1971 from then Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, and he became one of the first Black graduates of West Point from San Antonio in June 1975. Colonel Maney served for 7 years in the Air Defense Artillery branch before resigning his Army commission to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth where he graduated with a Master of Divinity (MDIV) degree in December 1984. Maney returned to Active Duty in the Army Chaplaincy in 1985 and distinguished himself with the highest honors in unique cutting edge assignments. Chaplain Maney received a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree in Cultural Foundations and World Religions from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1992. He distinguished himself as the Senior Army Chaplain, Arlington National Cemetery and Deputy Military District of Washington Command Chaplain (1996-2000); as a Course Author and Instructor at the Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS (1992-1996); as the Command Chaplain, 19th Theater Support Command, Republic of South Korea (2000-2002); and as the Installation Chaplain, Fort Sam Houston, TX (2002-2005). Chaplain Maney is the first Black West Point graduate to become an Army Chaplain and the first Black Installation Chaplain for Fort Sam Houston, TX. He retired from the Army on 31 December 2005 after serving 28 years of Active Federal Service. His highest Army awards are the Legion of Merit with First Oak Leaf Cluster. On 23 April 2006, Coliseum Park Baptist Church called Chaplain Maney to serve as Pastor, and he served diligently for 3-1/2 years until he was selected to serve as the Chief of the Fort Sam Houston Casualty Assistance Center (CAC) on 14 September 2009. The Commanding General of U.S. Army North and Fifth Army presented him with the Commander’s Civilian Service Commendation Award in July 2013 for outstanding leadership and service as a Department of the Army Civilian. Rev. Maney retired from Federal Civil Service on 31 January 2018 with over 40 years of service to our nation. He received the Superior Service Award for his outstanding service upon his second retirement. Chaplain Maney returned to active ministry as the Protestant Pastor of the Army Residence Community (ARC) Collective Protestant Congregation on December 9, 2018, and he fulfilled his commitment on May 16, 2021. Chaplain Maney and his wife, Linda, have been married for 44 years. As a Pastor and proven leader, he has lived by his personal epitaph, “FAITH ABOVE FEAR… ALWAYS! The Spirit of Fear has no hold on those who move forward with Courage and Drive.”

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Davis serves as coach to non-profit and business leaders in North America. He the Director of Communications and Marketing for Fletcher Seminary in San Antonio Texas, and the founder of the Small-Town Churches Network (www.smalltownchurches.org), which is dedicated to sharing research, ideas and tools to help small-town churches. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Logdson Seminary, where his research focused on equipping small-town churches for 21st century ministry. He is the author of Sea Change: Equipping Rural Churches for The Tides of Cultural Upheaval.

Jonathan is passionate to help churches and non-profits across North America navigate the unprecedented changes brought on by postmodernity, and to train and equip faith leaders to find not only opportunity but Divine blessing in the midst of cultural and professional upheaval.

Opioid Crisis

From 2018-2020, Jonathan co-chaired the Middle Peninsula Opioid and Heroin Task force in Virginia’s 98th Legislative District, and helped lead a statewide effort to raise awareness and engagement regarding addiction and recovery among houses of worship across the Commonwealth. In partnering with Virginia’s State Legislature, Jonathan launched a statewide initiative called Recovery Sunday, encouraging and equipping every church in the state to have a recovery focus Sunday once a year. In this capacity, Jonathan has provided testimony before Virginia House and Senate Committees, and written policy briefs for diverse stakeholders from across the state.

Religious Liberty

Religious liberty means liberty for people of all faiths and no faith. Jonathan has served as a major advocate for religious liberty and freedom at the state and national level. Representing more than 1400 churches across Virginia, Jonathan gave expert testimony before numerous Virginia House and Senate Committees regarding bills with religious liberty impacts. Jonathan also led the largest Protestant body in Virginia to launch a statewide religious liberty advocacy day at the state capitol.