Our Interim Pastor

Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade (pastor@hopeboston.org)

Arriving to ordained ministry with a wildly varied professional background, including marketing and sales management, business consulting, and business process re-engineering, Rev. Miller Olapade graduated from Boston University - School of Theology, in 1995 with a Master of Divinity, Cum Laude.   She was recognized while at BU-STH with awards for Leadership & Community Building and Excellence in Scripture Reading and Preaching.  Rev. Miller Olapade completed her Clinical Pastoral Education at Mass General Hospital, Field Education at Church of the Covenant in Boston and was ordained by the Metropolitan Boston Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ on Pentecost in 1996. 

She served as Hospice Chaplain for the VNA in Stoneham for 2 years, then was called as Associate Pastor to the Eliot Church of Newton in 1996, where her ministry was focused on Christian Education, Membership Development, Church Growth and Leadership and Church Organizational Models.  In 2001, Rev. Miller Olapade was installed as Senior Pastor at the First Congregational Church of Reading where she served, through the spring of 2007, as an agent of transformation and church turnaround and was celebrated as an energetic and gifted preacher, leader and teacher of the Word.

Following a period of discernment and personal renewal, Rev. Miller Olapade has discerned a call to ministry with churches in transition.  As an Intentional Interim her gifts, graces and broad experience will help lead churches through change and transition as they seek vitality and transformation. Just before coming to Hope Church, she served as Transitional Minister at the Second Congregational Church in Winchester, reviving worship and spirit in that small church setting.  She also provides some consulting for the Mass. Conference of the United Church of Christ and is has been a member of its Leadership Development Commission since its inception.

Rev. Miller Olapade is the beloved wife of the Reverend Simeon O. Olapade and the very proud mother of Alexander (age 15) and Aaron (age 8) Olapade.

But, most importantly, she loves the Lord!

Here are a few words from members of past congregations Rev. Wendy has served:

“Wendy is an energetic, creative, insightful and caring pastor. She has a great ability to make things happen, to help programs grow, and help make visions become realities...people are attracted to her warmth and spirit, as well as her superb creative abilities...she works well in team ministry, sharing ideas, fostering creativity and initiative, and honoring differences. Wendy is honest with herself and others, eager to gain new insights and pursue growth…”

“...a leader among leaders...out of the box thinking...tireless faith, bright and gifted mind, vibrant personality...limitless energy…

“...an inspirational preacher, a kind and patient teacher, and a person who lives out her faith in graceful ways as an example to follow…”

“She is an excellent listener, caring and empathetic and excels at reaching out to people...has a real knack for touching people's heart and relating her sermon message to everyday lives. She is passionate, sensitive and vigorous in welcoming everyone-especially children.”

“...eminently approachable. She has the gift of putting one at ease, allowing the flow of thoughts, concerns, and sometimes doubts without projecting any sense of criticism or judgment.”