Pastor

REVEREND VALDES J. SNIPES, PHD, MDIV, MPA

Pastor of Love AME church, Largo, MD served as Pastor of Mt. Zion AME church, Severn from April 2016 to April 13, 2024 and Pastor of Cornerstone AME Church of LaPlata, MD from April 2012 to 2016.  Prior to her call to the ordained ministry, she served Hemingway Memorial in many lay leadership positions, including the Steward Board and served 10 years as Church Administrator. Rev. Dr. Snipes served as the Washington Conference Women in Ministry (WIM) Caucus Leader for the Capital District (2010-14) and currently is the Second Episcopal District (SED) Women in Ministry (WIM) Second Vice-President.  She served the Second Episcopal District under the Episcopal leadership of Bishop William DeVeaux and Supervisor Pam DeVeaux as the District Executive Administrator to the Episcopal Leadership and to the Second Episcopal District (2012-2016).  She served as the SED District’s office support to Servant leaders, Bishop James L and Supervisor Arelis Davis (2016-2017) and currently works on special projects. Dr. Snipes is an instructor for the Washington Conference Board of Examiners (BOE).  She serves on the following committees, Washington Conference Church Growth and Development, Disaster Relief committee, SED Chair of the Legislative task force and the Washington Conference Perpetual Cemetery Ministry.  Dr. Snipes is the outgoing President the AME Clergy Alliance of Washington DC and Vicinity.

Dr. Snipes holds degrees and certificates in the following: BA degree in Gerontology, High Point University; Certificates in Gerontology from Livingston College and North Carolina A &T University; Master Public Administration (MPA) specializing in Gerontology and Counseling. North Carolina Central University; PhD in Organization and Management, specializing in Leadership, Capella University; Master’s in divinity (MDiv) from Howard University School of Divinity, 2017 Black Theology and Leadership Institute (Certificate). Dr. Snipes has 27 years working in the field of Aging, intergenerational programs, leadership and management. Over the years, she has held leadership and executive management positions, managing program budgets up to 50 million.  She was Director of Employment Program with United Services for Older Adults; Program Officer/Training Coordinator and Director of Senior Community Service Employment (SEE) Program with Senior Service America (SSAI); Deputy Director of Workforce Development and Initiatives with the National Council on Aging (NCOA); Executive Director/ CEO WeCareDMV Day Services, Inc. (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Washington DC and Northern VA).

Currently she serves as Senior Research Policy Analyst 3- HII assigned to DoD CIO EMSEPP. She is one of the founding members and Vice-President of the Board of Directors of PEACE Theological Seminary where she is Academic Dean and professor of Biblical studies, leadership and church administration. She is also the Executive Administrative Consultant and Director of Distant Learning at the Turner Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA.  Dr. Snipes has traveled extensively across the US advocating for older adults and training professionals in leadership, organizational
management, in the fields of aging, employment and training and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Snipes is Founder/CEO of Sed-Lav, Inc. Management and Administrative Support services where she helps individuals self-publish and provide other consulting work in program development, management and administration.  She has served as Editor for six authors. Dr. Snipes is the proud mother of Carlton J. Bennett, (MiMi) to Joi Wilson, Grandmother of Cannon Carter Bennett and spiritual mother several sons and daughters in the ministry. Dr. Snipes loves the Lord.  She is committed to uplifting and motivating people.  She has been called to help individuals recognize their God-given potential and empower them to use their talents and gifts to the fullest in building and equipping God’s kingdom. Dr. Snipes is a leader, change agent, and administrator who is faithful, committed, and dedicated to her Lord and Savior,  Jesus the Christ.  Her favorite scriptures are: Psalm 34:1- “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praises shall continually be in my month” and Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.