Rev. Orr's Bio

 

Rev. Francena F. Orr is a native of Georgetown, South Carolina.  Upon graduating from the Public schools of Andrews, South Carolina, Rev. Orr entered Claflin College and earned her BA degree in Social Science with a minor in Education.  Rev. Orr received her Master’s degree in Student Personnel Services-School Counseling from Kean College of New Jersey.  Later she entered Eastern Theological Seminary (Palmer) and earned her Masters of Divinity degree.  She also studied at Immaculata College (Paoli, Pa.) in the Counseling Psychology program.

 

Before her journey as a pastor, Rev. Orr was a teacher of Social Studies and a School Counselor in the Public Schools of New Jersey and retired after 29 years and eight months of dedicated service.  While working in the Educational System, she spearheaded the county-wide distance learning program in character education.  She was also the school based coordinator for State Testing, and chair of the Intervention and Referral Services.

 

Rev. Orr’s first pastoral appointment was to Mt. Hebron AME Church in Linwood, Pa.  Under her leadership, the weekly Bible Study, YPD, and Church School were reorganized.  A Women’s Ministry was also organized.

 

After faithfully serving that community of believers for 6 years and eight months, Rev. Orr was  appointed to Emmanuel AME Church in Hartly, Delaware in November 2012. Under her leadership the church continues to grow and new ministries implemented to meet the needs of the congregation and community.

 

 Rev. Orr is past president of the Delaware Conference Ministerium and past resident Bible Study teacher for one of the local churches.  Presently, she is a member of the Delaware Conference Ministerium, Wilmington District Ministerium, Board of Examiner’s and Instructor in the Delaware Conference Ministerial Institute.  She is a member of AME/Women in Ministry.  She is also assistant chaplain of the Wilmington Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

 

Rev. Orr is married to Bruce Orr and they have three adult children, and the proud grandparents of three girls.

 

Rev. Orr has many favorite passages of Scriptures; the one that keeps her from day to day is Psalm 121, especially verses 1-2:  “I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (NIV).