Leadership | Alliance Tabernacle

Leadership

"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

DR. CHARLES O. GALBREATH

Senior Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Charles O. Galbreath—affectionately known as Pastor Charles—serves as the Senior Pastor of three congregations across three states: Alliance Tabernacle (formerly Clarendon Road Church) in Brooklyn, New York; Bowie New Life Assembly Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland; and Victory Alliance Church in Union, New Jersey.

An accomplished scholar and ministry leader, Pastor Charles has served as Assistant Professor of Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He previously held key leadership roles at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City, including Associate Dean, Director of Field Education, and Partnering Professor.

Deeply committed to civic and community engagement, Dr. Galbreath serves on Brooklyn Community Board 17, the Community Advisory Board of SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the Clergy Advisory Council of the New York City Fire Department, and East Flatbush Village, Inc. He is also the Treasurer of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, widely known as “The GodSquad.”

In recognition of his impact, City & State magazine named Dr. Galbreath one of New York’s most influential religious leaders in its 2022 Faith Power 100 list. His prior leadership roles include service on the NYC Mayor’s Sector Advisory Council for COVID-19, the Board of Directors of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) denomination, the District Executive Committee for the Metropolitan District of the C&MA, Co-Chair of Brooklyn’s 45th Council District Committee, and Vice President of the Association of African American Churches of the C&MA.

Dr. Galbreath holds a B.A. from Nyack College (magna cum laude), an M.Div. from Alliance Theological Seminary, and a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education in 2020. His academic and leadership excellence has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Young Alumnus of the Year Award from Nyack College (2011), induction into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Fordham University (2017), and the Alumnus of the Year Award from Alliance Theological Seminary (2020).

The son of a preacher and pastor, Dr. Galbreath was raised in both the Baptist and Pentecostal traditions. His ministry journey has taken him through Mainline, Evangelical, and urban contexts, with service in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Harlem, Queens, and Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Galbreath is married to his college sweetheart, Flobien Vidal Galbreath. Together, they are the proud parents of three children: Charles Oliver Galbreath Jr. (C.J.), Malia Marie Galbreath, and Greyson Alexander Galbreath.

Elders Board

ELDER Gardy deaussou

Head Elder

Elder Lynford Coke

Elder vincent adams

Elder Frank Salisbury

Elder Jude Thompson

Executive Team

Rev. DONNA BAPTISTE

Associate Pastor

Reverend Donna Baptiste ministers at Alliance Tabernacle where she serves as Associate Pastor. Additionally, she serves in the community as part of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council – the God Squad, which works within the community to eliminate gun violence.

At 16, she and her family moved from the Caribbean Island of Trinidad to the U.S. Three days post-arrival, influenced by a Billy Graham telecast, she embraced Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. Donna earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing. Following graduation and heeding God's call, she pursued studies at Alliance Theological Seminary (ATS), earning a Master of Divinity Degree, becoming the first woman to graduate from ATS with a full MDiv. Later, she obtained a master's degree in organizational leadership from Nyack College, where she graduated with a 4.0 average. Pastor Baptiste served five years, with the C&MA, as a missionary in Mali-West Africa. Additionally, Pastor Baptiste holds a license as an Evangelist in the Metro District of the C&MA.

Pastor Donna Baptiste formerly served as the President of Alliance Women Ministries in the Metro District of the Christian Missionary Alliance (C&MA), overseeing the ministries of 150 churches. Additionally, she held the position of President of the Alliance Theological Seminary Alumni Association, becoming the first woman and first person of color to do so.

She, for over a decade, served as President of Alliance Theological Seminary Alumni Association, and a member of the Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. On a particular occasion, the board appointed her to the nominating committee, which was responsible for selecting the new President of Alliance Theological Seminary/Nyack College. She also made history as the first woman to serve on the District Executive Committee (DexCom) for the Metro District of the C&MA. Here, she was chosen to serve on the committee on nominations for the incoming District Superintendent.

Over several years, she has held the position of Missions Mobilizer for both the Metro District of the C&MA and the African American Association of Churches of the C&MA. In her capacity as Organizer and Director of the short-term missions trip "Bridge Senegal 2009," she played a crucial role in highlighting racial reconciliation within the denomination. Her service continues to extend to various committees on both the District and National levels of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Presently, she serves as a member of the Licensing and Ordination Committee for the Metro District of the C&MA. Additionally, she had served as a Board Member on the Brooklyn Girls Residential Center.

Reverend Donna Baptiste is the founder, president, and CEO of Donna Baptiste Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. She travels both nationally and internationally to preach the pure unadulterated Word of God. She hosts the "Pursuing God" radio program, broadcast from New York City to the Metro Tri-State Area and globally via internet radio. Additionally, Pastor Baptiste created the "From Seed to Harvest" seminar, an annual event designed to inspire and instruct the community on entrepreneurship, targeting the unemployed, under-employed, beginners, and those looking to restart a business or non-profit. The seminar focuses on community development and empowerment. Her ministry's mission is to promote the spread of the Gospel worldwide, to call the church to holiness and to speak truth to power!

Who will not fear you, O Lord and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holy. Rev. 15:4

Dr. Jolander Headley

EXECUTIVE PASTOR

Dr. Jolander Headley is the Executive Pastor and serves on the Executive Leadership Team as well as the Advisory Council at the Alliance Tabernacle in Brooklyn. She is an author, transformational thought leader, life strategist and visionary. Dr. Jolander Headley focuses on impacting student achievement and leadership development.

Dr. Headley grew up in the Pentecostal tradition where she served in several leadership roles. Her leadership experience in ministries, spans over 30 years from her country of origin, Trinidad and Tobago to the Bronx, Harlem, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. She is a certified John Maxwell coach and mentor. She is an international conference speaker using her unique strengths, purpose, and values to inspire and empower others globally for the glory of God.

Dr. Headley is the President of Jolander Headley Leadership Development LLC, a global empowerment organization. She is the Founder and CEO of Joe’s Academy of Music an arts and culture organization for over 25 years. She is an accomplished professional with over 26 years in corporate finance, leadership development, music, and education in non-profit sectors.

Jolander is a member of The Greater Queens Chapter of the Link Incorporated and Phi Delta Kappa International of St. John’s University. She serves on several Boards including, Queens Community Board 12, Major Music International Corporation a 501C3 non-profit organization and XStream Impact Foundation.

Dr. Headley holds a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership in the Global Context and a Master of Divinity in Urban Ministries from the Alliance Theological Seminary. Jolander is an alumna of St. John’s University Finance MBA program. She studied music at The Juilliard School and Berklee College of Music. Her post-doctoral work includes studies in Women Leadership Studies at Harvard University and Yale School of Management, Executive Education.

Jolander is a licensed Insurance Broker, a certified Human Behavior Consultant and is MWBE (Minority Women Business Enterprise) Certified in NYS and NYC. She is an alumna of The Kingdom School of Ministry a division of Trimm Institute of Global Leadership.

Dr. Headley is passionate about using her acumen to advance the Kingdom of God through the intersection of philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

She is happily married to her best friend Grantley. They have two adult sons, Akeem and Kareem and two beautiful grandchildren, Aria and AJ.

Min. CHRISTOPHER SMITH

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

At Nyack College, Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. He also completed graduate-level coursework in the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program at Nyack, which sparked his pursuit of event planning and public relations.

His higher education experience was key to his interest in leadership. With a passion for networking and connecting people to resources, Chris served as a Student Engagement Coordinator for his alma mater following graduation.

At the City University of New York, he served as an advisor for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).

He most recently served as the Manager of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Alliance University; Manager of Corporate and Engagement Relations for NAF; CTE Business Teacher at the Business of Sports School for the NYC DOE, a Senior Program Manager of College Success at the NYC nonprofit, iMentor; and was Managing Director of enrollment and community relations for the Brooklyn United Music & Arts Program.

He currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff to NYS Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman.

For as long as he can remember, serving others has always been second nature to him. Now as an ordained minister, Chris gets to enjoy that sweet spot in the role of Director of Operations and Communications at Alliance Tabernacle formerly Clarendon Road Church in Brooklyn—the borough where he was born, raised, and continues to be a proud resident.

The consummate “people person,” he is an organizer and collaborator with a proven track record that shows his passion for being a bridge-builder, which he has a new opportunity to be a connector.

How does he manage it all?

Empowered by Galatians 6:9 “… Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” Chris is committed to serving the Lord, Alliance Tabernacle and the surrounding communities.