OUR BOARD

The Christian Life Skills Board

Dr. Barbara W. Rogers PhD, EdS.

Founder and Director of Training & Education 

Barbara served as Lead Chaplain at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for almost seven years. She also served as an Associate Pastor with the First Church of God of New Kensington for more than ten years. However, over the last thirty-five years, she has served as Founder and Director of Christian Life Skills. She and her co-workers provided training to parents and other caring adults in the process of nurturing life skills development in children and youth within congregations and the community, using scripture as the basis for the curriculum.

 

 

LaVerne Stotts

 Director

LaVerne brings a wealth of experience and skill to the position. After 34 years in the secular sector of professional banking, she is launching into full ministry as her primary focus.
 
Leadership in ministry is not new to LaVerne since she has served as Executive Director for the last 4 years and Site Coordinator for Christian Life Skills at Union Baptist Church of Swissvale for the last 18 years. Under her successful leadership the Christian Life Skills Mentoring Ministry has thrived and has been sustained with more graduates who completed the Christian Rite of Passage, than any other church in the Pittsburgh Area.
 
LaVerne leans on this scripture; “Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 


Ted Jones
Board Chair Emeritus

Married and resident of Ridgewood Manor Association, Retired Engineer at Bettis Bechtel Inc., Sunday School Superintendent of Second Baptist Church of Penn Hills, Planning Commissioner Member of Wilkins Township, PA

 

 

  

  

 Ella C. Scales

Minister Ella C. Scales is a life-long member of the Union Baptist Church of Swissvale where she was licensed to preach the gospel in 2015. She serves as the minister of Evangelism and Outreach. She is also a part of the music ministry; sings in the choir and serves on the Worship and Celebration team, as well as the Prison Ministry. 

Community volunteer- Currently serves on Christian Life Skills Board of Directors. Participates in organizing Community Outreach Sunday, Clothing Drives, and since the coronavirus, Door to Door Food Box Deliveries as part of the Outreach Ministry at Union Baptist Church of Swissvale. As a representative for UBC, Ella serves on the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) and former Vice- President of PIIN and serves on the Swissvale Ministerium. A prior member of the Board of Directors for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley now serves on its Finance Committee. 

A native of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, Ella currently resides in Boardman, Ohio with Leroy, her husband of 41 years. 

They have 4 adult children: Amber, Leland Lacy and Les; 1 son-in –law, Nathan, 2 daughters-in-law; Weldianne and Tiffany. They are also the proud grandparents of eight; Aniyah S., Amirah, Aniyah W., Ahmir, Nathan, Nehemiah, Noah and Liam.  

Serving God is a joy and sharing God’s word both in speech and deeds that others may come to Him is her life’s purpose. For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5 NASB)

 

 

 

Rev. Yvonne Burns

Pastor Yvonne Burns has a rich background in spiritual, academic and professional pursuits. With over forty-nine years in ministry, including fifteen years as Senior pastor. She is honored to currently serve as Pastor Emeritus—with the mission statement to: “Provide a Christ-Centered environment where men, women and children are educated, equipped, and empowered as servant-leaders for the Kingdom of God.  Her academic journey includes Harty Bible School, CCAC and Geneva College with a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership.  Professionally, Pastor Burns served in the corporate industry at Highmark BCBS for twenty-four years in various managerial positions and then transitioned to academia at CCAC where she served as Director of Registration, Adjunct Faculty, and Dean of Student Development until retiring in 2020. 

During the pandemic, Pastor Burns co-authored the book, ‘Standing on the Wings of Eagles’ which was published and released in September 2021. The book depicts the importance of ‘Leaving a Legacy from Generation to Generations’.  As the Lord orchestrates the next chapter of her life He reminds her, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them…” Heb. 6:10.  

Pastor Burns is the proud mother of one daughter and mentor of many.

 

 

Vernice Williams
Treasurer  

 

 

 

 

 



Leslie Morrison Pandy 

Secretary

 

 

 

  



Anita Lindberg 

 

 

 

 

 



Tom Lindberg