About author: KRISTINA GUTIERREZ

Dr. Kristina Ricketts Gutierrez brings a rich array of ministry, counseling, and teaching experiences which have contributed significantly to the development of Leadership in the Church. She has ministered in churches, led ministry organizations, taught in seminaries and other professional settings in the mainland U.S., Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Chile, and Nicaragua, and served as a counselor to individuals and families. Bilingual and bicultural, her 15 years of service in Puerto Rico and Nicaragua have given her a high awareness and understanding of cultural complexities in ministry. Since 2007, she has been a pastoral counselor at the Columbus office of Midwest Ministry Development Service and has counseled and taught hundreds of pastors and others in ministry since that time. Her professional memberships and certifications include ordination by the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A., endorsement as a pastoral counselor and chaplain by the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A., professional affiliate…