Rev. Veronica Pauline Greene serves on the Ministerial Staff, the Voices of Praise and is the Minister to Women at Refuge Church Ministries II in Glen Burnie, Maryland under the dynamic leadership of Pastors V. Keith and Iantha Brown. She was formally an original member of Refuge Church Ministries, Inc. founded in May, 2000 under the leadership of Rev. Phyllis B. Smotherson, located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland where she served on the Ministerial Staff, as well as the administrative and personal secretary to the Pastor. As a child she attended The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ located in Washington D.C. She is now retired but was formerly employed by the U.S. Department of Justice where she served for 19 years. Rev. Greene is a Summa Cum Laude Biblical Studies Graduate of Spirit of Faith Bible Institute, Temple Hills, Maryland and has plans to pursue further education in Grief Counseling and Biblical Theology. She also has served in many ministries such as the Voices of Refuge, the Refuge Mass Choir, “Divine Hope” Liturgical Dance Ministry, and Evangelism Ministry. While a member at Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church, she served as Steward, member of the Bertha Bell Missionary Society and President and member of the Inspirational Choir, and the Mt. Nebo Gospel Singers. Rev. Greene has been working for the Lord for a long time and answered her call to ministry at the Refuge Women’s Retreat in October, 2005 and was officially ordained in March, 2009.

She is the youngest of twelve children born to the late Preston and Louise Wallace in Hyattsville, Maryland. Rev. Greene resides in Severn, Maryland, is happily married to Min. Deacon Matthew Greene and they are the proud parents of three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and the very proud grandparents of 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

Rev. Greene has a compassionate and loving spirit and loves to sing. She discovered early in life that music was a part of her soul. What she could not express in spoken words could easily be relayed through song.

Though she has endured many tragic experiences in her life, she readily stands on the Word of God as declared in Romans 8:38-39; “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

As a servant of the Most High, Rev. Greene is determined to do what the Lord has called her to do and does not take God’s favor on her life lightly. She considers it a privilege to be able to study under such anointed Pastors and prays that her light will so shine that one can’t help but see Jesus working in her and through her. Her mission is simply to “win souls for Christ.” To God Be The Glory!

Ms. Juanetta T. Swann was born in Washington, DC on August 14, 1970, to Lawrence C. Swann, Jr., and Brenda J. Swann.

As a native Washingtonian, she graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in 1988.  Juanetta believes education is very important and, as such, has pursued various educational degrees and classes over the years.  Juanetta holds three degrees from Strayer University – 1) Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, 2) Associate in Arts in Database Technology, and 3) Associate in Arts in Computer Information Systems.  In addition, she received her fourth degree – Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Denver Seminary’s DC Extension Campus in May 2020. 

Juanetta has a diverse employment background with years of culminating experience in the fields of Administration, Help Desk, Technical Support, Supervision & Management, Nursing Assistant, High School Tutor, and High School Teacher.

Juanetta has been a member of several churches in the Washington Metropolitan area and Houston, Texas where God continues to prepare her for her role(s) in ministry.  Under such tutelage, she has received training in teaching, preaching, evangelism, pastoral ministry, and the prophetic realms of God’s kingdom. Juanetta believes God is calling her to the pastorate and believes the Spirit of God will equip and lead her in this endeavor.

One of Juanetta’s favorite Scriptures and mantras is found in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.  She believes as we submit, surrender, and follow the leadership of the Lord, He will direct and keep us in His perfect peace.  She is also fond of Psalm 91 in its entirety.

Juanetta has developed a local Outreach Program based on the needs of the community and has taught numerous Bible Studies.  She particularly enjoys learning from the seniors in her community.  Juanetta believes that gleaning from the minds of the past will help us impact the minds of the future.

Juanetta became a licensed minister on October 14, 2018, and an ordained Reverend on March 12, 2023, at Refuge Church Ministries II in Glen Burnie, Maryland. She serves as the Minister of Social & Digital Media and enjoys the various aspects of leadership.  She looks forward to going deeper, higher, and further in God as she pursues a life of purity, holiness, and righteousness.  In addition, Juanetta is a Mentor, Coach, and Accountability Partner to women seeking growth, direction, and deliverance in various areas of life. 

Mrs. Karen E. Hayes was born in Chester, PA, on March 17, 1961, to Frederick D. Hollis Jr. and Dorothy Hollis. She has been married to Michael Hayes since 2007 and is the mother of four children. Karen is grateful that she has such a loving and supportive husband. 

As a native of Chester, she graduated from Christian Academy in Media, PA, in 1980. Education is very important to Karen, and as such, she has pursued various educational degrees and classes over the years.  Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delaware State University and a Master of Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College.  In addition, she received her third degree – Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Denver Seminary’s DC Extension Campus in December 2023. 

Karen has a diverse employment background, with over twenty-five years in private Christian and public school service. The last fifteen years in the public school system have provided many ministry opportunities for students, parents, colleagues, and administration.  

Karen has been a member of churches in the Washington Metropolitan area and in Chester, PA, where God continued preparing her for various ministry roles.  Under such tutelage, she has received teaching, preaching, intercessory prayer, and pastoral ministry training. Karen believes God has called her to teach and preach the gospel, emphasizing evangelism. She believes the Spirit of God is her for this endeavor.

One of Karen's favorite Scriptures is Psalms 121 (NLT) – I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? ² My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! ³ He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. ⁴ Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Karen believes that God and Him alone keep and empower her to be an effective minister for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Karen became a licensed minister on October 29, 2023, at Refuge Church Ministries II in Glen Burnie, Maryland. She serves on the Ministerial Team and co-chairs the Blessing Closet. She has also been given opportunities to teach Bible Studies and preach the Word of God. Karen realizes that she must rely on the God of her salvation to continue and maintain a relationship and a life of holiness, pleasing God. Her ultimate desire is to hear God, her Father, say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”