Rev. Melinda Teter Dodge

With a wealth of professional ministerial and non-profit experience and academic scholarship, the Rev. Dodge leads the church’s efforts to meet people simply where they are — out in the everyday world, doing good all around us — and trusts that God does the rest.  

Some of the current ministries that Rev. Dodge leads include partnering with local non-profits such as Food Finders, Jumpstart Ministries, Christian Outreach in Action and Habitat for Humanity to serve the unsheltered and the hungry in our community.  She also leads efforts to form meaningful community with “Everyone’s Inn,” a weekly dinner church; “Groundlings Summer Day Camp,” an all-day intergenerational and ecumenical Christian day camp; as well as “Yoga for All Bodies.” 

In all of her work, the Rev. Dodge seeks to lead the church in its efforts to be more justice-seeking, including ongoing work to be inclusive and reconciling with the LGBTQ+ community; to raise awareness of and stand against racism, sexism, ageism, and ableism; and to continually listen to how we can walk more closely with Jesus.

Prior to her work with “Being the Church,” Pastor Melinda served the Los Altos UMC, and was the founding Executive Director for The Work of Angels Group, a 501(c)3 serving foster youth.  She has also worked in theatre and opera production on all sides: administrative, productive and technical. 

Pastor Melinda holds a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and a Master of Arts in Theatre from University of Michigan.  She resides in Long Beach with her husband, the Rev. Johan Dodge, and two children.  In her free time, Pastor Melinda enjoys reading, yoga and traveling adventures.  And goats.