Patricia's Background

Rev. Hernandez joins the American Baptist Foundation with more than two decades of faithful leadership within the American Baptist family. Since 2011, she had served as the Associate General Secretary for American Baptist Women in Ministry and Transition Ministries. Prior to that she served as an Associate Region Minister and later the Consultant for Leadership Development with the American Baptist Churches of Michigan, providing guidance and support to congregations and clergy across the region.

Rev. Hernandez has also served in parish ministry as pastor of Picture Rocks Baptist Church in Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania, and Lincoln Baptist Church in Macedon, New York. Throughout her ministry, she has held additional leadership roles with various faith-based organizations, strengthening churches, supporting clergy, and cultivating communities of belonging.

Ordained at the First Baptist Church of Troy, NY, Rev. Hernandez earned degrees from the University of Chicago (B.A.), Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (M.Div.), and Central Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.), where her dissertation explored practices that create access for women pursuing senior pastoral ministry. She has completed additional leadership and spiritual formation training through Duke Divinity School, the Center for Congregational Health, Shalem Institute, and Oasis Ministries.

Drawing on her deep American Baptist roots, pastoral heart, and extensive leadership experience, Rev. Hernandez now serves the American Baptist Foundation as Donor Outreach Advisor for the Legacy Leadership Initiative. The Legacy Leadership Initiative invites retired pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders to steward their legacy so the ministries they love can continue to flourish for generations to come. Says Rev. Hernandez, “Legacy is love lived on!”