Meet Our Pastor

Pastor

Rev. Renee G. Griffin has been the pastor of Wentz Memorial United Church of Christ for more than 20 years and is the daughter of the late Dr. Walter Gilliard and the late Patsye McFall Gilliard. Rev. Griffin was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised primarily in Ohio.  She graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  She resigned from her employment in the private sector in response to her call to ministry in 1988. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology, Virginia Union University (STVU) and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education both in Richmond, VA.  Rev. Griffin married her classmate, Rev. Dr. Eric Griffin, the day before their graduation from STVU in 1991.  The Griffin family moved to North Carolina in 1997 when her husband accepted the call to pastor St. Stephen United Church of Christ in Greensboro.

Rev. Griffin was called as the Pastor of Wentz Memorial United Church of Christ in 2003. Under Rev. Griffin’s leadership, Wentz’s ministries continue to focus on the spiritual growth and maturity of its members and friends through Biblical preaching and teaching, outreach ministries that address issues of social justice including but not limited to food insecurity, access to healthcare, public education and civic engagement, while also building community and sharing our faith through the arts, service and collaboration with other faith partners.

Rev. Griffin is married to the Dr. Rev. Eric Griffin, Sr.  They have two adult children, Chloe Griffin Wright and Eric Griffin, Jr.