CLERGY Leadership

Rev. Dr. Dennis Laffoon is native of Gary, Indiana. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1993.After years of serving the church, he answered his call to preach in 1999, which led him to pursue higher education, earning his Masters of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Following ordination, he served as pastor of Bethel A.M.E Church in New Albany, Indiana for four years, Bethel A.M.E Church in Bloomington, Indiana for seven years and is now the proud pastor of Bethel A.M.E Church, in Saginaw, Michigan. He received his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Payne Theological Seminary in 2021.

Dr. Laffoon is a published writer with the African American Lectionary through Vanderbilt University Divinity School and is a distinguished fellow of the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, sponsored by the Lilly Endowment. He is husband to Rev. Rochelle Laffoon and together they have three wonderful children, Laurence Malik, Britanny Cherí (pronounced sher-ay), and Aubrey Xavier (pronounced Za-vee-er).With a love of the visual and performing arts, he brings a bevy of gifts and talents to his ministry and is committed to using them as a bridge to show the world God’s love. Rev. Laffoon loves his family, he loves his church, but more than anything; he loves the Lord.

Rev. Rochelle Laffoon is an Ordained Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  She is a native of Gary, Indiana and attended Indiana University where she received a Bachelor Degree in Journalism.  She currently serves as Christian Education Director of Bethel AME church where she oversees many ministries, including Bethel’s award-winning Free Homework Help program.
 
She is married to Rev. Dennis Laffoon who is the Pastor of Bethel AME Church, and together they have three wonderful children, Laurence Malik, Britanny Cheri (prounounced sheray) and Aubrey Xavier.  She has been pursuing the Call that God has on her life since 2006 and while she knows that God has greater plans for her, right now she is confident in her ministry of motherhood, where she welcomes the laughs, the challenges and the triumphs that come with it.
 
Rev. Rochelle knows the joy of a smile, the power of a touch, and the comfort of a kind word. But she desires the world to know God, the source of the love that makes it all possible. And she is hopeful that her life and words contribute to opening eyes and hearts to the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Thelma Ragland Williams was born in Louisa County, Virginia on August 1, 1949, the fifth of eleven children. She graduated from A.G. Richardson High School in Louisa, Virginia. She had her first daughter, Sonya, after which she attended Norfolk State University graduating with a B.S. Degree in Special Education. She also attended Central Michigan University. Her teaching career started at Louisa County High School for three years. She then moved to Michigan and accepted a position with Saginaw Public Schools where she taught for 31 years; her entire career with SPS was spent at Webber Jr. High/Middle School. She was also a member of the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) volunteering at basketball and football games in the concession stands and chaperoning events at Webber Jr. High/Middle and Saginaw High School. 

Thelma married Harold Williams on October 27, 1979, and had two daughters (Raven and Crystal). She has six grandchildren (China, Calvin III, Anwar, Jr. Christian Sean, Demi and Tahj) and one great granddaughter, Kylie. Mrs. Williams answered her call to the ministry in November 1999 and was admitted to the Michigan Conference in August of 2000. She was ordained as an Itinerant Deacon in August of 2002 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Detroit, Michigan, and became a Local Elder in 2019. 

Rev. Williams is a member of Bethel AME Church where she currently serves as an Associate Minister. She has served in many roles including Christian Education Director, Youth Usher Board Advisor, Youth Choir Advisor, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Girl Scout Leader, Director of Junior Church, as well as Co-Director of several Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Programs. She continues to volunteer with the Christian Education Board and assists with various church and community outreach initiatives, including serving as co-chair of the Salute to Youth Sunday that recognizes graduates and youth achievements. 

Her community involvement consists of tutoring at Arthur Eddy Academy, serving on the Community Diversity Counsel at Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw Public Schools Health Advisory Board, and the Great Lakes Bay Health System Community Advisory Council (CAC). She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated - Saginaw Alumnae Chapter, March 1999. 

Rev. Williams’ favorite quotes are: “Kindness never hurts anyone, in fact, it just may save your life someday” and “if I can help somebody as I travel along the way, my living will not be in vain.” Her favorite scriptures are Romans 8:37 – “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loves us” and 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

Rev. Williams’ greatest desire is that everyone would develop and keep a personal relationship with Christ…That none shall perish and everyone will be save