PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.,
P.O. Box 897
Tucker, GA 30085
Phone:770-569-3384
Meet the Board of Directors

The Rev. Valerie Coe Lowder (President)
The Rev. Valerie Coe Lowder is an Authorized Minister in the Southeast Conference, United Church of Christ. She serves Church of the Savior, UCC, in Knoxville, Tennessee as Transitional Ministry Consultant. She is also a D.Min. student at McAfee School of Theology (Mercer University). She has been a pastor, educator and non-profit administrator for over thirty years. She holds a B.A. from Wake Forest University, an M.A. in Religious Studies from Indiana University, a M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with further studies at the Divinity School of Duke University. She has earned certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education and in Interim Ministry, and is trained in therapeutic parenting and emergency response. She has been a mentor to many women and men preparing for ministry, including chairing the Commission on Ministry of Southeast Conference and serving on the Members In Discernment committee at Kirkwood UCC in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also a mental health advocate, a hand-weaver and a native gardener. She is married to Dr. Patrick Lowder. They have three grown children, an adorable grandson and three xoloitzcuintlis.

Kim Craddock (Vice President)
Kim is a highly experienced Human Resources professional with 25+ years of progressively responsible roles at the site, regional and corporate level for companies servicing diverse industries and market segments. Her professional qualifications include a strong HR Business Partner background enhanced by broadening assignments in Organization Development and Design, Change Management, Process Consulting, Compliance and Risk Management. Kim currently works for Lockheed Martin in Workforce Strategy and Planning and holds a B.A. Psychology from Emory University and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rochelle Lofstrand (Treasurer)
Rochelle is a distinguished career educator and educational leader with 24 years of experience in public education. Having completed the PATHWAYS program herself, Rochelle then served as the Interim Executive Director of PATHWAYS from November 2018 to February 2020. While working as a public school principal she was recognized as an “Aspiring Leader” and has published in an academic journal on curriculum development for LGBT students. Rochelle has worked with a number of non-profit organizations and has experience in community and church leadership. Rochelle is currently Head of School, Upper Campus of the Globe Academy Middle School, a member of Pilgrimage United Church of Christ in Marietta, GA, and an MID (Member in Discernment) in the Southeast Conference of the UCC. In her free time, Rochelle enjoys spending time with her wife, two ‘dog’ters, and two feline children

The Rev. David Oliver Kling
The Rev. David Oliver Kling is a bishop with the Ancient Apostolic Church of Alexandria and licensed for ministry with the Living Water Association (in the Heartland Conference) of the United Church of Christ serving as settled pastor at St. John's UCC in Massillon Ohio. Pastor Oliver is a 2008 graduate of Wright State University earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Philosophy and Religious Studies and is a 2012 graduate of Methodist Theological School in Ohio having earned a Master of Divinity degree specializing in Black Church and African Diaspora Studies. He is the 2012 recipient of the Interpretation Journal Award in Theology and Biblical Studies upon graduation. By the end of 2013 Pastor Oliver finished a residency in chaplaincy at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia and then moved to the Massillon area to serve as a hospice chaplain. Pastor Oliver is an adjunct professor at Aultman College in Canton, Ohio teaching medical ethics and spiritual care for nurses. He is all but project/thesis for a Doctor of Ministry degree specializing in leadership for transformational change, and he is passionate about many things including such academic topics as history, philosophy, and open and relational theology on one hand and on the other he is a fan of all things nerdy (science fiction & fantasy). Pastor Oliver is committed to social justice, radical acceptance, and authenticity. He lives in Massillon with his spouse Jacki and their amazing daughter Vivianne.

The Rev. Ginnie Ferrell (Secretary)
Ginnie joined the PATHWAYS Advisory Committee in 2014 while PATHWAYS was a program of the Southeast Conference. In March 2018, Ginnie served on the initial Board of Directors of PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., and is currently the Secretary. Ginnie is retired UCC clergy and long-time church educator serving churches in Maine and Georgia. Prior to ordained ministry, Ginnie worked as a field geologist and geophysics technician. Ginnie has degrees in Geology and Chemistry and a Master of Divinity (Bangor Theological Seminary). She was certified as an Environmental Educator in 2016. Since retirement, she is an active member of First Congregational Church UCC in Atlanta. Ginnie is married to Jack Raymer who together have a little Scottie named Yevo.

The Rev. Kimberly Wood (Southeast Conference Minister, Ex Officio Board Member)
Kim joined the Southeast Conference the settled Conference Minister in September 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Aurora University and her Master of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary. Kim has served as an associate minister, a solo pastor, a head of staff/senior minister, and a bridge pastor, and she is experienced in both settled and intentional interim ministry. She has worked extensively with congregations in transition, conflict resolution, and revitalization in suburban/urban and rural settings. Kim and her spouse, Ron, celebrate the gift God has given them in a beautiful family that includes four children, their spouses/significant others, and two adorable grandchildren. Kim enjoys music, reading, sports, history, and story, learning about other faith traditions, visiting new places and landscapes, game nights with family and friends, and meeting people wherever she might be.
Affordable
PATHWAYS believes that quality theological education should be available to any who want it. That’s why we provide a cost-effective online theological program accessible to all. 4-week Explorer courses are only $124, 6-week courses just $375, 9-week courses Supervised Ministry courses are $500, and our 12-week UCC History and Polity course is only $650.
Flexible
Because classes are not bound by geography and have a flexible weekly schedule, PATHWAYS courses are able to fit into the rest of your busy life. Courses typically involve weekly readings and discussion in a facilitated online forum, offering practical, open-minded education and a learner-centered environment where participants can bring their own questions and insights.
Accessible
Our courses have between 4 and 15 participants. This allows for deep and productive discussions in the online forum. We know that a small class size allows the participants to develop learning relationships with each other and for facilitators to push participants to a more indepth learning experience.