THE GAC COLLEGE MINISTRY
Minister Donald Garner, Co-Ministry Leader and Minister Sharise Wigfall, Co-Ministry Leader
MISSION
Support the multifaceted growth, especially from a spiritual lens of college students in the borough of Queens and beyond.
TARGET POPULATION
Local community college and colleges/universities in the borough of Queens and Long Island (e.g. Queens College, St. John’s University, York College, Adelphi University, Hofstra University, Queensborough Community College); GAC members who attend colleges/universities across the country.
For further information
Please call the College Ministry at (718) 206-4600 or you may filll out the form below and someone will respond.
COLLEGE MINISTRY
MINISTRY LEADERS
Minister Donald Garner
Donald Garner a native of Houston, Texas by way of Ocala, Florida serves as the Co-Ministry Leader of the 20s and 30s Ministry.
Donald is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Clark & Garner, LLC- a comprehensive educational consultant firm that develops education programming and curriculum for schools, nonprofits and corporations as well as provide staffing development for public schools in the area of teacher recruitment and retention.
Donald has over a decade of education policy and program experience serving as a Teacher Recruitment Manager with the New York City Department of Education. In this capacity, he recruited traditionally certified candidates to teach in NYC public schools and assisted with staffing South Bronx public schools. For close to five years, he served as an Educational Consultant with the Florida Department of Education's Office of Dropout Prevention. In this role, he provided strategic planning to low-performing schools in South Florida and co-developed a Dropout Prevention Taskforce that influenced policy and program recommendations related to student retention.
He is a PhD candidate and Adjunct Professor in Social Work at Fordham University. His primary research interests deal with how former prisoners rebuild family relationships when returning home from prison and the impact of parental incarceration on child development outcomes. Additionally, he is currently seeking a Master's of Divinity at Yale Divinity School as well with interests in the role of spirituality formation during adolescent development, the current and future of Black Church and millennial engagement & leadership in Black Church denominations. Donald also holds Master’s Degrees in Public Administration (MPA) and Social Work (MSW) from Florida State University.
Garner is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated through the Iota Delta Chapter at Florida State University. He is currently on the Board of Young Life-Southeast Queens, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. For nearly five years, he held junior board memberships with the Children of Promise, NYC, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that serves children of incarcerated parents and Pentorship which designs customized products and services to facilitate quality learning experiences for returning citizens to compete in current labor markets. He also holds membership with the Apollo Young Patrons.
Donald enjoys reading, writing, running, mentoring, spending time with family and friends, and singing.
Minister Sharise Wigfall
Sharise can be described by many as one who has been gifted by the grace of God to impact generations. She is recognized as a gifted communicator, practitioner and emerging scholar known for her unique, relevant and innovative approach to both her professional and ministerial callings. Sharise is a bi-vocational minister and frequents as an itinerant preacher, speaker and facilitator in both educational and ecclesial settings.
She has built her career on a dual commitment to youth development and youth/young adult ministry. Her greatest desire is to share God's message of hope, positive thinking and empowerment to motivate and sustain both youth and young adults, to see young people actualize their faith in their day to day lives and to live out their individual calls in society.
Sharise has developed a ministry concept that describes the standard of excellence: a standard that is apparent in her commitment not only to ministry but also to education. Sharise is a highly energetic urban educator with over five years of experience leading, teaching, advising and coaching in middle and upper schools. Dedicated to incorporating a participative and supportive leadership style that embodies her commitment to ensure all students educational needs are met according to their unique social, emotional, physical and intellectual characteristics.
Sharise holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (Monroe College), a Master of Divinity (Drew University, School of Theology) and a Master of Arts in Religious Education (New York Theological Seminary).
Sharise acknowledges that God is orchestrating her evolution and has embraced her assignment and willing to go wherever God sends her. Being confident of the very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ! Phil. 1:6
KEY PROGRAMS
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Providing comprehensive approaches that offer unique spiritual support and discipline for students, with emphasis on collegiate environment and atmosphere and for the ultimate goal of strengthening personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- GAC “Hot Topics” Bible Study & Podcasts: Students will participate in special bible studies centered on a myriad of issues relating to popular culture and contemporary society. Interactive Q&As and follow-up platforms are offered for students to learn more information about various issues.
- GAC Judah Young Adult Choir: Students will have the opportunity to directly immerse themselves in GAC’s church culture by participating in its young adult choir under the leadership of Grammy-nominated singers, directors and songwriters. College credit is available for students if needed.
- GAC College Worship Night & Networking: Students will have the opportunity to experience a night of worship with the GAC praise and worship team and other special guests as well as network with other Christian college students throughout the borough of Queens and New York City as a whole.
- GAC “Away From Home” Initiative: GAC Collegiate Ministry team will provide ongoing spiritual, social and emotional support to current GAC members who are currently enrolled in a college/university across the country. Examples of support include conducting prayer calls, sending care packages and creating critical pipelines and directories for employment opportunities during and after college graduation.
PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Creating opportunities for today’s college student to integrate their talents, skills, and abilities and relationship with Christ in secular society.
- GAC Mini-Fellowships, Internships & Design Challenges: GAC Collegiate Ministry will offer competitive project-based learning opportunities for collegiate students to learn how to utilize their professional skills in church-based settings from highly sought after pastors, Drs. Floyd & Elaine Flake. Students will receive letters of recommendations and be featured for ongoing consultation, as necessary upon successful completion of their internship and/or fellowship.
- GAC College Mentoring Initiative: On a volunteer basis, participating college students will be able to participate in face-to-face and virtual mentorship opportunities with members of Allen’s diverse community. Students will be able to receive direct support on enhancing their spiritual discipline, career advisement, and strengthening personal accountability, just to name a few. Additionally, college students will be able to participate in ongoing theme-based lecture series with career professionals on their experiences of integrating their Christian faith with their professional lifestyles.
PARTNERSHIPS & COALITIONS
Fostering relevant relationships with key stakeholders in efforts to highlight the importance and significance of strengthening the value of offering spiritual support in college/university-based settings.
- GAC Collegiate Campus Ministry Convening: GAC Collegiate Ministry will host ongoing symposiums with other campus leaders to share best practices and create a general prayer agenda for campus ministry related activities.
- GAC College Ministry Research Initiative: GAC Collegiate Ministry will launch ongoing research studies relating to the lives of college students and their faith and spirituality. Data will be used to develop various white papers and other level of scholarship to inform ministry-based programs and deeper research with relevant think tank institutions and universities.