Leadership Staff

Rev. Tom Harris has served as Govans’ Senior Pastor since 2006. He has a strong commitment to biblically-based social justice advocacy. He believes every person is a child of God and the overwhelming testimony of the Bible calls us to dismantle oppression and injustice as a society and in our individual lives. Tom graduated from Clemson University and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He served churches in Michigan and South Carolina before landing in Maryland. He has been vegan since 2016…

Minister Lea has a long history of social justice activism and music performance. Named by Essence Magazine as one of “25 Women Shaping the World,” Lea is a past winner of the Blues Foundation’s “Keeping the Blues Alive” award (the “Grammys of the Blues”) for her historical work on women’s contributions to that music. Lea is the recipient of the 2016 Golden Formstone Award from Baltimore’s Creative Alliance for her efforts with community arts and commitment to social justice. She…

Ms. Herrington has a Bachelor’s degree in vocal and organ music from the Peabody Conservatory and has experience as an organist and cantor at numerous churches of various denominations in the area. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists and is an accomplished composer, arranger, and performer of music in diverse styles including jazz, gospel, classical, rock, baroque, and modern. She has experience conducting a variety of musical ensembles, including youth and women’s choirs and symphony orchestra,…

Missy holds an Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Loyola University of Maryland and a Master of Arts Certificate in Instructional Systems Development from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her certificates in the Pedagogy of Online Learning and Culturally Responsive Teaching provide a unique skill set for the demands of 21st century classrooms and conversations. Her undergraduate degree is in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is the Founder of Universe Consulting and Design LLC, and partners with organizations…