Game Changers: More Houston-area Black women ministers

Black women ministers and faith leaders are nothing new; they have been at the center and forefront of countless faith systems for generations. 

Still, sexism has done everything possible to put women in a secondary or subordinate position within God’s house. But Black women have always pushed back against the limited vision others had for their spiritual gifts—gifts God has always recognized.

Whether serving as the spiritual backbone of our people or fighting to tear down the walls of male bias, these women have excelled as evangelists, priestesses, and senior pastors. In the Black Christian church, particularly, they have faced barriers to leadership fueled by male-centered interpretations of scripture. But as those “Jericho Walls” come tumbling down, more sisters today are breaking through, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Bishop Vashti McKenzie.

Here are some local game-changing Black women pastors and ministers doing mighty works for their God and opening doors for younger sisters.

Connie “CJ” Jackson

Before entering the pulpit at St. John Northwest Church as senior pastor, Connie “CJ” Jackson navigated the high-stakes world of Texas politics. Her journey to ministry was paved with a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a distinguished career that included serving five terms as a City Councilwoman in Texas City and serving as Chief of Staff to a Texas State Senator. She even expanded her leadership globally as a Fund Development Officer in Southern Africa.

Her calling eventually led her to the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where she earned her Master of Divinity. Since founding St. John Northwest in 2017, Jackson has blended her background as a national lecturer and adjunct professor to serve as a “Senior Pastor-Teacher.” Her life serves as a testament to the fact that leadership in the halls of government is excellent preparation for leadership in the kingdom of God. She remains a dedicated scholar, currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at the Berkeley School of Theology.

Words of Wisdom: “When the Lord gives you a seat at the table, sit down. You are enough: don’t covet, don’t compare, don’t compete. Be your best private self, so that when you get in public, you don’t have to pretend.”

Marilyn White

Reverend Marilyn White spent 22 years in the fast-paced corporate environment as an executive underwriter in commercial insurance before answering her divine call. Her background in business management and insurance gave her a unique professional edge, which she honed further by earning a Master of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology. Today, as the Senior Pastor at St. James UMC, she is a retired Elder in Full Connection who remains a proactive change agent in Houston’s Third Ward.

White’s ministry focuses heavily on mentorship and community transformation. She spent eight years assigning clergy mentors to help young ministers navigate their calls, specifically supporting women facing the unique challenges of female clergy. From securing $600,000 in charitable dental services to overseeing a $33 million senior affordable housing project, she proves that ministry is about being a proactive guardian of the community. Her contributions have earned her the 2025 Global “Lifetime” Legacy Award, a fitting tribute to a leader who bridges the gap between the boardroom and the sanctuary.

Words of Wisdom: “My words of advice have always been trust God through the journey. Do not get sidetracked listening to outside voices. Know for sure God called you, and God has a place for you, and God will do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can ask or think.”

Djenaba Akida

Djenaba Akida’s path to the ministry began with the inquisitive heart of a child who was not content just hearing the word—she had to read it for herself. This hunger led her to the historic Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, where she entered the ministerial training program as a teenager. By the time she was a college student, she was already a church planter, instrumental in establishing the Shrine’s location in Atlanta.

Ordained at 24, Akida balanced her spiritual calling with a 20-year career as an educator, earning an M.Ed from the University of Saint Thomas. This bi-vocational life allowed her to serve as a missionary and community organizer while raising a family with her husband, who is also in ministry. Now serving as the co-pastor of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Houston, she continues a legacy of pastoral care that views women as equal vessels for the Holy Spirit, endowed with an inner divinity.

Words of Wisdom: “My advice to women pursuing leadership roles in ministry is to allow yourself to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit. Look beyond artificial barriers and biases with the full knowledge that we each are endowed with an inner divinity that seeks to connect to the Greater Divinity of our creator. Our goal is to constantly grow and develop as we become the best version of ourselves.”

Linda Davis

Pastor Linda Davis spent 17 years in the legal field as an assistant legal administrator for an international law firm before realizing her passion for advocacy was being redirected by a higher power. She viewed her time in the legal profession as essential preparation, learning the discipline and excellence required for pastoral and community leadership. After earning her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, she transitioned into full-time ministry with a clear mission: To move the church from complacency to action.

As the Pastor of Boynton Chapel Methodist Church, her ministry is anchored in community health and disaster response. She serves as a disaster response team lead for the Global Methodist Church, coordinating humanitarian efforts worldwide. Whether she is advocating for affordable housing or serving on healthcare boards, Davis embodies the belief that faith must be lived out through transformation and discipleship. She does not wait for permission to lead; she simply follows the call already placed inside her.

Words of Wisdom: “Do not wait for permission to walk in what God has already placed inside of you. Your calling is validated by obedience, not by approval. If God is calling you into full-time ordained ministry, trust that He will equip you, sustain you, and make room for you, even in spaces that were not built with you in mind.”