The Rev. Zina Jacque, Ph.D.

Rev. Dr. Zina  Jacque serves as the Assistant to the Pastor for Small Groups at the Historic Alfred Street Baptist Church.  Her primary responsibility is to facilitate the learning and growth generated among the members who participate in the Villages of Alfred Street.  Dr. Jacque arrived in this position after leading the Community Church of Barrington in Illinois for fifteen years.

Jacque has served on the staff of multicultural, urban, and suburban churches and has done extensive work in the areas of education, counseling, and support programs.

She has worked in the not-for-profit realm, founding and serving as the first Executive Director of the Pastoral Counseling Center of Trinity Church Boston and serving as the first Executive Director of the Boston Ten Point Coalition.  She serves as the Chair of the board of National Senior Communities, a 28,000-resident enterprise of continuing-care retirement communities. 

Currently, she serves as one of three founders and a host for A Year of Courageous Conversations (www.courageousconversations.us). This pivotal project has engaged over 1,500 local community members and beyond.  Through this dialogue series, participants consider how we, as individuals and communities, might foster greater inclusion and belonging in our communities.  Speakers such as Krista Tippett (On Being), Robin DiAngelo (author, White Fragility), Clint Smith (author, How the Word Is Passed), Stephanie Land (Author, Maid), Eboo Patel (Author and Activist), Abby Wambach (Soccer Phenom). and others joined the series, stimulating conversation and expanding thought horizons.  Currently, the series is in its fourth year.

Prior to entering ministry Rev. Jacque completed a 20+ year career in higher education serving in senior positions at Northwestern, the University of Chicago, Mills College (Oakland, CA), and the University of California (both Santa Cruz and the Office of the President).

Jacque holds a Ph.D. in Theology (Practical Theology) and a Masters of Divinity degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Boston University, a M.A. from Columbia University, and a B.A. from Northwestern University.  She has served as an adjunct professor of Pastoral Care at Boston University and the University of Chicago.  She serves on the boards of the American Baptist Churches USA (Board of General Ministries), National Senior Communities and Courageous Conversations Barrington.

Though she did not bear children, her late husband, and best friend, Andre Bell, brought to their marriage two children, Tiffany and Christian.  Now, these two have made Rev. Jacque the very proud grandmother of Devon, Cayden and Carson.   Jacque is described as an agent of change, a voice of hope and a source of faith.