LEADERSHIP
DR. SHERIDAN NELSON
Senior Pastor
Dr. Sheridan Nelson is a multi-generational leader. He is the senior Pastor of Abyssinia Church Inc. Abyssinia is a thriving ministry that impacts people of all generations and ethnicities.
Pastor Sheridan has developed an impactful ministry and set a standard of excellence in ministry and education. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Va, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va, a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton,Ohio.
Dr. Sheridan has vast experiences in Non-Profit community development, youth & young adult ministry, and leadership development.
His passion is to empower people to live wholistic lives.
He is married to Jodi Nelson and they are the proud parents of two sons Sheridan Dwayne and Joshua Miles Nelson.
LADY JODI NELSON
Executive Director
Mrs. Jodi Nelson is a native off Chesapeake, Virginia. She is the youngest daughter of Mr.Harry and Mrs. Geraline Cox. Jodi Nelson is married to Dr.Sheridan Nelson of Lake land, Florida; and from this union they are the proud parents of two sons, Sheridan, II, and Joshua Miles Nelson.
Jodi Nelson received her early education in the Chesapeake Public School system in Chesapeake, Virginia. She furthered her studies at Norfolk State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She also earned her Certification in Special Education with an emphasis in Mentally Retarded Learning Disabled. She has successfully taught in the Richmond Public School System, Chesapeake Public School System.
RANA PARHAM
Church Administrator
Ms. Rana Parham is a native of Virginia Beach, VA where she completed her early education. Upon graduating from Virginia Beach Public Schools, she began her undergraduate studies at Virginia State University, and then transferred to Norfolk State University where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. From NSU she went on to begin teaching in the Norfolk Public School System for many years and Guilford County Public Schools.
After ten years of teaching and completing her Masters of Business Administration at the University of Phoenix, she embarked on the path of non-profit work at Abyssinia Baptist Church initially as an Executive Assistant to the Pastor and to the ABC Learning Center. During this time she assisted in teacher training and development at the learning center, grant writing, and managing multimillion dollar grants awarded to the center. After the ABC Learning Center closed its doors, she went on to become the Church Administrator for Abyssinia Baptist Church. In this position, that she currently still holds, she has managed several construction projects, property acquisitions and sales, managed the church’s rental properties, manages and implement the church’s annual and weekly budgets, and manages the weekly collection teams and deposits for the church.
Rana is a dedicated member of Abyssinia Baptist Church, where outside of her work there, she serves in many additional ministries. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., Norfolk Alumnae Chapter where she is currently Assistant Treasurer, Les Gemmes Inc. Norfolk Chapter where she is currently serving as the President. She enjoys spending time with her nephew whom she adores, fitness activities, and taking care of her plant babies.