About Gammon Theological Seminary

Rev. Dr. Candace Lewis

President-Dean

Dr. Lewis is an ordained elder in the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. From 1997-2009, Dr. Lewis was appointed as the founding pastor of the New Life Community UMC in Jacksonville, Florida. She was then appointed as the Associate General Secretary in the New Church Starts Division and later as the Executive Director of Path1 New Church Starts at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee. In April oof 2021, Rev. Dr. Lewis came to Gammon after serving as a District Superintendent for 4 years in the Florida Conference. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and Gammon Theological Seminary – ITC where she received her Master of Divinity degree in May 1996. In June 2000, she graduated from the Harvard Divinity School’s Summer Leadership Institute on Faith-Based Community Economic Development. She earned a Doctorate in Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. May 2014.

With extensive experience in church planting, pastoring, and district leadership, Dr. Lewis offers Gammon students invaluable guidance and knowledge, particularly those pursuing ordination within the United Methodist Church. As a faculty member teaching Religious Heritage courses, including United Methodist Polity & History, she generously shares her expertise, enriching the academic and spiritual journey of Gammon students.

Rev. Dr. Renita Weems

Chief Academic Officer

Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems has been an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1985. She currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Gammon Theological Seminary. A proud Atlanta native, Dr. Weems attended Atlanta public schools before earning her Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1989, becoming the first African-American woman to achieve this distinction.

Dr. Weems has had an illustrious academic career, including roles as a Professor of Humanities at Spelman College in Atlanta and as a Professor of the Hebrew Bible at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, where she taught for over two decades. Her teaching experience also extends to Howard University Divinity School and Memphis Theological Seminary.

At Gammon, students benefit from Dr. Weems’ profound scholarship and dynamic presence. As a biblical scholar, minister, and author, she brings a wealth of experience and insight into modern faith, biblical texts, and spirituality. Her scholarly work and engaging lectures make her a highly sought-after speaker and writer, enriching the academic and spiritual lives of those at Gammon.

Rev. Dr. Baranda Fermin

Director of Online Learning & Institutional Effectiveness

Meet Baranda Fermin (they/them) – a catalyst for transformative change, weaving wisdom and passion into the fabric of communities. With an academic journey spanning Michigan State University (Ph.D.’ 11), Teacher’s College, Columbia University (M.Ed.’ 05), The University of Oklahoma (B.S.’ 03), and most recently Iliff School of Theology (M.Div.’ 23), Baranda holds a wealth of knowledge and experience.

For more than 25 years, Dr. Fermin has been a guiding force in inspiring organizational capacity and leading diverse teams. Their work transcends traditional boundaries, reshaping how communities develop, change agents craft strategy, and leaders measure outcomes.

As an accomplished educator, executive leader, healing guide, activist, and social entrepreneur, Baranda has left an indelible mark on community development, nonprofit leadership, higher education, and beyond. Their impact is evident in the myriad of coalitions and cross-sector partnerships established and reignited, fostering organizational resilience and networked alliances in communities throughout Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Maryland, Washington, DC, and NY.

Beyond the boardroom, Baranda is a published author. They are writing their second book, “Sacred Space: The Life You Want Within the Life You’ve Got.” Their debut, “For Our Boys: A Mother’s Prayers,” is a testament to their commitment to dismantling patriarchy.

In their work, Baranda is a writer, spiritual director, embodiment practitioner, academic advisor, and curator for student and family ministry. Yet her greatest joys are simple and deeply connected to the human experience: tacos, sonic ice, and a game of Uno with their 9-year-old, Montgomery James.

Dr. Fermin serves Gammon Theological Seminary as the Director of Online Learning and Institutional effectiveness. We are excited to embark on a journey of depth and purpose with Baranda Fermin – where strategic thinking meets compassionate leadership, and every endeavor is infused with meaning.

Dr. Candace M. Laughinghouse

Faculty & Student Advisement

Dr. Candace M. Laughinghouse is a multifaceted scholar, activist, and musician residing in Raleigh, NC. Her innovative research explores the intricate connections between human, animal, and environmental oppression, advancing the field of environmental justice. With an impressive academic background, including a Ph.D. in theological ethics from Chicago Theological Seminary and degrees from institutions such as UC Berkeley, Candler School of Theology (M.Div.), and Duke Divinity School (Th.M.), Dr. Laughinghouse brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her work.

Recently appointed as a professor of Constructive Theology at Gammon Theological Seminary, Dr. Laughinghouse is dedicated to fostering excellence and activism among her students. Her academic contributions span publications and presentations at renowned conferences, including the American Academy of Religion and the Parliament of World Religions. However, she finds particular fulfillment in mentoring and advising students, helping shape Gammon Theological Seminary’s future.

During emerging discussions of environmental racism, Dr. Laughinghouse’s research has broadened into deconstructing Christian Nationalist worship liturgies in Black Gospel music and examining church growth through the lens of marginalized communities. This work is a part of her womanist-inspired principles of “radical subjectivity” – a term coined by Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas. Skillfully interweaving the many ways Christian Nationalism extends colonization of land with that to affect vulnerable communities and the rise of memory loss, she incorporates a theology of Black Gospel Music as resistance and healing.  

In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Laughinghouse serves as the Director of Music at Davie Street Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. In this role, she draws upon her rich musical heritage rooted in the Pentecostal tradition, further enriching her diverse career as a scholar, activist, and musician.