Center for Continuous Learning

Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain is the Executive Director for American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABWM) and is a member of the National Executive Council for American Baptist Churches USA. Rev. Dr. Gina is the General Secretary Elect for American Baptist Churches, USA. Rev. Dr. Gina served as the Transitional Pastor for First Baptist Church of New Market in Piscataway, New Jersey; Interim Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Associate Regional Pastor for Women in Ministry for American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ); and is an Associate Minister of Christian Education at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey.

Tony Tendero is the Fellow in Residence at Safe Haven Ministries. As part of the Prevention Team, Tony’s charge is to conduct research, inform, develop and prepare Safe Haven to launch a Learning Institute focused on domestic violence prevention by 2025. Having local and national impact while linking theory and practice, the Learning Institute will work to increase individual and organizational capacity to address and prevent gender-based violence in five key arenas: youth violence prevention, healthcare, human services, workplace, and faith. His formal education includes a BA degree (University of Michigan) and an EdD degree (Teachers College-Columbia University). His work in education as a middle school teacher, elementary/middle school principal, curriculum director and university professor was focused on literacy, spiritual formation and leadership development. His seasons in ministry focused on discipleship, prayer, community development and church planting. Tony serves faith communities to see them walk in their call to shepherd their people toward flourishing.

Tara Aday is the Senior Director of Programs at Safe Haven Ministries—a comprehensive domestic violence agency committed to serving all victims and survivors while also working to prevent violence before it begins. Tara leads training on domestic and sexual violence prevention and response to a wide range of audiences, including students, faith communities, workplaces, and human service providers. Of particular focus, Tara has spent much of her career mentoring and working with youth to build their own leadership and advocacy skills. In all that she does, Tara believes in the power of community-based solutions to domestic violence and the power of collective accountability and relationship building as the driving solutions to violence prevention. When not working, Tara enjoys cooking and sharing a meal as a way of building community and anything outdoors.