Country: Jamaica
Organisation: Jamaica Baptist Union/Caribbean Baptist Fellowship
A graduate of the United Theological College of the West Indies and University of the West Indies, Arlene Henry is a daughter of the garden parish of St. Ann and a member of the Ocho Rios Baptist church. For near 15 years she served our Baptist Head Office Administrative hub in various capacities including direct responsibility for Youth, Christian Education, Media and Communications, among other areas. She also served as the JBU’s chief event planner, coordinating and executing many events (local and international), while also working closely with various church related bodies regionally and internationally, as well as civil society representing and serving the wider church on government boards and the ecumenical church community.
In addition to her BA in Theology, in May 2019 Arlene completed her Master’s degree in Diakonia and Christian Social Practice at the VID Specialized University in Oslo, Norway where she, as part of her final exam, successfully completed her studies upon presentation of her thesis on the topic “Combatting Domestic Violence: The (Baptist/Methodist) churches as instruments of empowerment in the Jamaican context”. In 2023 she was awarded the Anders Backstrom Prize for the best International Master Thesis in 2019.
At present she serves her local church as circuit administrator and deacon. Her other involvements include counselling and coordinating activities. She was recently elected to serve as Moderator of the St. Ann Baptist Association for the period October 2023 - September 2025.
My reason for joining CNEDA:
"Having been exposed to the issues of violence against women as part of my research I developed a strong passion for all impacted by Domestic violence and other forms of violence against women. It has been impressed on my heart to give back my time and resources whenever and wherever possible to this area. I was introduced to this organization in 2023 and am grateful to share in that ministry opportunity."
Some of my personal and professional interests:
"Crisis counselling, Grief ministry, Mentoring a young person, events planning, church administration."
The language that I speak, read, and/or write:
"English."