Darrell Goodwin (2025, Appointed CCM) began as the first Executive Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference on Jan. 1, 2021. He is also the first openly LGBT black person to serve as an Executive Conference Minister in the United Church of Christ. As the Chief Vision-Keeper, he is responsible for guiding the conference and its affiliates to have a positive and lasting impact in our world. Rev. Goodwin is a member of the United Church of Christ Board, the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries Board and the UCC Cornerstone Fund Board.
He brings to his varying leadership roles extensive experience in pastoral ministry and higher education. The Rev. Goodwin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Theology from Boston College; a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from The University of Vermont; a Master of Arts in Transforming Spirituality from Seattle University; and is currently a doctoral candidate in San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program where his dissertation topic is, “Praying Through: Using group spiritual direction as a strategy for the retention of African American men in predominately white seminaries in the United Church of Christ (UCC)”. In his spare time, he is an avid dinner party host, an amateur bartender, and enjoys spending time with his husband Mr. Kentavis Goodwin.