Reverend LaDonna Harris is the Senior Pastor of CBSOR. She previously worshipped and served at Mills Grove Christian Church (DOC) in Oakland since 2015. LaDonna retired from law enforcement in 2016, with nearly 35 years of service. She was the highest ranking woman of color as a Division Commander in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the second woman to serve as the Chief Probation Officer in Alameda County.

 

LaDonna received a Master of Leadership degree at St. Mary’s College of Moraga. In 2018, she graduated from the American Baptist Seminary of the West with a Master of Divinity and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at the Berkeley School of Theology.

 

LaDonna's lifelong service orientation is foundational to her leadership and ministry. She believes that the people of God have a responsibility to address issues of social justice, to work to achieve safe and thriving communities, and to share Jesus’ gospel of love and grace through their words and actions. She believes that people are more than their past and their potential is unlimited.

 

LaDonna’s passion is Bible and Bible study. She facilitates an online Wednesday Night Bible Study for Mills Grove Christian Church. The participants engage in contemplative study, lively discussions, and consider practical application in contemporary times.

 

LaDonna is an active member of the Northern California and Nevada Region’s Women’s Ministries Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

 

She currently serves as the Registrar and Facilitator Elect of the Women’s Ministries Council. She is the incoming member of the Disciples Women’s Leadership Council. LaDonna also fully participates in the Mills Grove Christian Women’s Fellowship. LaDonna serves on the board the New Bridge Foundation which provides in and outpatient addiction recovery services and co-occurring disorder treatment, including services for active-duty military personnel and veterans. She also serves on the board for the Healing Center in Rwanda. The Center is focused on healing the nation of the trauma of the Rwandan genocide.

 

 In her personal life, LaDonna values God and family (including her church family) above all else. LaDonna is a womanist theologian. She understands that “love one another” is a command, not a suggestion or an option, and LaDonna does! She is a daughter of The Church By the Side of the Road and the seed for her ministry focus was planted at CBSOR. LaDonna’s personal mission statement is, “Be a blessing to someone every day.”