DAYTON, Ohio — According to the National Congregations Study, women lead only 14% of congregations as of 2019, but that’s not stopping one woman from pursuing her dreams in ministry.

What You Need To Know

  • The Urban Leadership Academy in Dayton is celebrating its 10th anniversary

  • It's a theological school preparing Christian leaders for service in different areas of the church

  • The school is hosting a gala on June 10th to celebrate the anniversary

  • Monique Oliver is a student here looking to become an ordained minister

Monique Oliver is very passionate about ministry, so much so that she hopes to lead her own church one day.

“It’s a goal of mine because it’s a calling of God, but I do want to say here that ministry in itself is a lot more than preaching and teaching,” said Oliver.

She enrolled in the Urban Leadership Academy, better known as ULA, in Dayton. The theological school offers a ministry certificate program preparing Christian leaders for service in different areas of the church. 

“The Urban Leadership Academy provides you an opportunity to be yourself and to be creative and they accept you for who you are and they see you for who you are,” she said. 

When she’s not in the classroom, she’s putting her skills to work, dropping off food to the elderly in her community. This is what she said ministry is all about. 

“It’s actually about going out in the community, rolling up your sleeves and go to work and serving wherever you can,” she said.

In about a year, Oliver will graduate with a certificate in ministry from ULA. This year is even more special because the program is celebrating its 10th anniversary in a big way.  They’re hosting a gala to help raise money for the school and showcase all the great work over the years.

“Everyone is just excited and we’re just trying to plan every detail carefully so it expresses our feelings and our love for ULA,” she said. 

For more information about the gala click here.