Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens
A native of Chicago, Dr. Pickens earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Park University, a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law and a Certificate of Ecumenism from Bossey-The World Council of Churches.
As general secretary of the United Methodist General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, he was the ecumenical staff officer for the denomination. He represented the denomination on the Executive and Central Committees of The World Council of Churches and in leadership roles of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. He served as the ecumenical director of the Lehigh Conference of Churches, based in Allentown, Pa., from 2014 through Sept. 2020. He is also credentialed in the Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, based in Palmerton, Pa.
Dr. Pickens and his wife, Debra, have a daughter, Jessica, who is presently a therapist at the University of Maryland at College Park.