Debra G. W. López

Reverend Debra G. W. López was born in Welch, West Virginia.  She completed her early education in the schools of McDowell County.  Her maternal grandfather and father were pastors.

She began her early Christian experience at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Kimball, West Virginia and was baptized by her father and pastor.  Active in the Flat Top Missionary Baptist Association and the West Virginia Baptist State Convention, she developed in spiritual growth.

Upon graduation from high school, she completed the Gardner School of Business in Silver Spring, Maryland.  She later received an A.A. degree from Montgomery College, Takoma Park, Maryland; a B.S and paralegal certificate from University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland; and M.Div, from Howard University School of Divinity, with honors.   She received the Trustee scholarship two years from Howard and the Earl L. Harrison scholarship from Shiloh Baptist Church.

After serving 28 years of government service, she retired.

During the more than thirty years at Shiloh, she completed teaching training for Church School.  Other organizations included Ministry of Christian Education, Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Evangelism and Discipleship, Ministry of Missions, Frontiers for Social Justice, the Gospel Choir, Usher Board, Ministerial Team, Debutante program as spiritual growth leader.

Worked on a number of special days during the church year.

As outreach, she provided worship to the Thomas House and the Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home, both of Washington, DC.  Also she conducted Bible Study at Fairview, a transitional house.

Rev. López was licensed to the gospel ministry in 2002 and ordained in 2003 at Shiloh Baptist Church.

She completed 400 units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC.  In May 2006, she was endorsed as chaplain by American Baptist Churches, USA.  Presently employed as chaplain by Heartland in Beltsville, Maryland.

In 2003 I was a contributor to The Journey, An Anthology of Inspirational Affirmations, Writings and Prayers edited by Dion L. Davis.  My writing was Created In the Image of God.

Married to Juan E. López, they have one daughter and two grandsons.