Payne Theological Seminary

The Reverend Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue is the first woman to serve as President of Payne Theological Seminary, a 160-year old institution sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the first African American woman president of the 244 Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the first woman to serve as president of any historically black theological seminary. Prior to her historical election, Dr. Fitchue was Professor of Religious Studies at Hampton University, Hampton, VA. and President of the Gaskin Fitchue Group, a consulting firm specializing in leadership development, organizational and community transformation for church and faith-based organizations.

Dr. Fitchue holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology from Rutgers University , a Masters of Science degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Michigan , a Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an Ed.D. in Administration, Planning & Social Policy from Harvard University . Her provocative scholarship is found in “Breaking the Silence,” Women of Color Study Bible; “A Theology of Reconciliation,” in Crossing the Racial Divide: America ’s Struggle for Justice and Reconciliation, A Study Guide. Presentations include the following: “Urban Ministry,” at the International Urban Associates, Urban Consultation in South Africa . “Religion and the African American,” at Soung Sil University in South Korea . “Urban Ministry Transformation,” at Abidjan , Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa . Upcoming 2004 – 2005 publishing contributions in the Norton Anthology of African American Preaching and collaboration with Drs. Henry & Ella Mitchell noted homiletic scholars.

Dr. Fitchue is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the A.M.E. Church, where she has served as Associate Minister at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Philadelphia, PA, Jones Tabernacle A.M.E. Church, Philadelphia, PA, and Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Trenton, NJ.

Dr. Fitchue’s motto for Payne Theological Seminary, “So High A Mission, So Holy A Calling” taken from founder Daniel Alexander Payne, depicts an ethos that centers on educating leaders in African American Studies, Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Theological Studies, Practical Ministry, and Supervised Ministry. Dr. Fitchue takes seriously the transformative call that exudes liberation, reconciliation, social justice, self-reliance, self-development, and self-identity. These and other distinctive themes that directly impact the African American community and emerge out of the African Methodist Episcopal Church witness are anchored in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Fitchue’s civic, community, professional and social affiliations include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founding Board Member of New Jersey Coalition of 100 Black Women, Links, Inc., Minority Arts Resource Council (MARC), Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Sojourners, Call to Renewal, Association of Urban Theological Education & Ministry (AUTEM), Board of Regents for Northwest Graduate School of the Ministry and International Urban Associates, American Academy of Religion, Society for the Study of Black Religion.

Dr. Fitchue began her early Christian education in St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Pleasant City, West Palm Beach, FL. She is the daughter of Rosie Lee Jones, Newark, NJ and the mother of Ebony Joy Fitchue, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Fitchue and daughter are poets.