Our Pastor

The Rev. Dr. R.E. Hedgeman is the esteemed Pastor of Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She has served in this capacity through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ while upholding the mission of the church since 1997. She also provides spiritual oversight to guide the life and work of the church, general board, spiritual leaders, music ministry, and ministry leaders.

Under Dr. Hedgeman’s more than 20 anointed years of service, Bethany Christian Church has strengthened its outreach through the Reach Out and Touch Ministry, a community advocacy ministry that assists homeless families in transition; adopted John Adams High School and Andrew J. Rickoff School; and delivered over 500 cases of water to Flint, Michigan. During her tenure, Bethany has also added a state-of-the-art administrative and educational wing to the architecture of the church in 2008 and retired a $1.1 million mortgage in 2001.

Dr. Hedgeman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson State University in Towson, Maryland, a Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

She has received numerous awards, some of which include: 2016 Women of Vision Honoree, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Greater Cleveland Chapter; 2016 Outstanding in Ministry Award, City of Cleveland; 2014 Honoree, National Council of Negro Women of Western Reserve;  2013 Outstanding Afro-American Woman of the Year; 2012 Citizen of the Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in both 1981 and 1988.

A native of Washington D.C., Dr. Hedgeman is a Boule member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her great-great-aunt, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, was a founder of the organization.  Executive profiles – A company is only as strong as its executive leadership. This is a good place to show off who’s occupying the corner offices. Write a nice bio about each executive that includes what they do, how long they’ve been at it, and what got them to where they are.