After an extensive and competitive national search process, Disciples Home Missions is excited to announce that the Reverend Brian Frederick-Gray has been called as the new Director for Justice and Advocacy Ministries for DHM. This is a new position within DHM, where his talents and gifts will be a critical part of advancing DHM’s ambitious goals and objectives in this area of ministry. His work with DHM will begin September 1, 2023.
Rev. Frederick-Gray currently serves in a part-time capacity as Director of Mission Support & The Peace Intern Program with Disciples Peace Fellowship, where he has been responsible for strengthening connections with the church, while equipping young adults as ambassadors for peace and justice. Prior to his current role, he served for seven years as Senior Minister at First Christian Church in Scottsdale, AZ, where he was a transformational leader who helped revitalize the congregation. Rev. Frederick-Gray has had extensive experience participating with, and providing leadership to, numerous organizations that do justice and advocacy work. He is a co-facilitator for the Disciples Justice Ministries cohort group; he previously served as part of the Arizona Faith Leaders Public Policy Working Group; and was president of the founding board of Arizona Interfaith Power and Light. He also served as a political fellow with the Center for Progressive Leadership.
This is a critical time for DHM as the ministry continues to undergo creative and strategic transformation, to meet the needs of a rapidly changing wider church environment. Part of that transformation includes a process of developing a strategic approach to coordinating DHM’s engagement around a variety of justice issues; promoting and supporting advocacy efforts by congregations, regions, and ministry partners; and providing ongoing informational and educational content regarding critical social justice issues. As the Director for Justice and Advocacy Ministries, Rev. Frederick-Gray will lead this effort within DHM. His portfolio of responsibilities will include coordinating DHM’s work in the key areas of refugee and immigration ministry; climate change and environmental justice; and racial justice initiatives.
Rev. Frederick-Gray is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where he majored in religious studies and psychology. He also received his Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN and is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He currently resides in Cambridge, MA with his wife, Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, who serves as president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and their son, Henry. He will continue his work with Disciples Peace Fellowship.
Disciples Home Missions is building the future and is excited to have Rev. Frederick-Gray join its dynamic staff. As a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), DHM continues to prioritize mission, advocacy and programs, as we work alongside congregations, regions, other general ministries and the wider society. For more information, please contact us at info@dhm.disciples.org.
