ABCORI Staff
Executive Minister
Rev. Dr. Tom Wiles is the Executive Minister for the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island. Prior to coming to serve in this capacity in 2013, Rev. Wiles served churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and Nebraska in both pastoral and administrative roles for 36 years. A third generation Baptist pastor, Rev. Wiles was educated at Oklahoma Baptist University, Baylor University and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Church Management and The Academy of Spiritual Formation. In addition to his local church ministry, Rev. Wiles has served as University Chaplain and adjunct faculty in the areas of worship, leadership, and spiritual formation at Grand Canyon University. He has been involved in international mission endeavors in Mexico, Siberia, Myanmar and the Czech Republic. Tom is married to Linda Bryant Wiles who has served the churches and communities where they have lived in both private and public venues in the professional areas of music and mathematics. She currently serves St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Warwick, RI, as Music Director, Organist, and Choir Master and Blessed Sacrament School, Providence, as K-8 music teacher. The Wiles have been married for 42 years and have three adult children who reside in Oklahoma, Iowa, and Arizona as well as three grandchildren.
phone: 401.522.9733 E-mail
phone: 401.522.9733 E-mail
Associate Executive Minister for Administration
Rev. Nikita McCalister is an ordained minister of the Gospel. She is the Associate Executive for Administration for the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Pawtucket, RI. She received her B.S. (Central Michigan University), MBA (University of Detroit Mercy), and Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. She is married to Rev. Jabulani McCalister, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church (Providence, RI.). She is the proud parent of two wonderful children: son, Jaden McCalister and daughter, Azriel McCalister.
phone: 401.522.9730 E-mail
phone: 401.522.9730 E-mail
Associate Executive Minister for Elder Care Ministries
Rev. Kathryn Palen works with the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and the Baptist Home Board to develop and implement ministries by and for elders in our region. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master of divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. She has served congregations in Rhode Island, Iowa, Washington, D.C., Kentucky, and Connecticut. She also has worked for the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, Alban Institute, and several educational institutions.
phone - (401) 522-9731 E-mail
phone - (401) 522-9731 E-mail
Director of Camping Ministries
Office Manager/Reservations
Colleen Tolhurst has been employed at Canonicus for 18 years. She started at Canonicus as Camp Registrar and worked in that position for almost 8 years until she became the Administrative Assistant for Canonicus and ABCORI. Colleen is now the Reservations/Office Manager. She is married to Wil Tolhurst who at times volunteers at Canonicus. Of her time here, Colleen said, "I enjoy working with all the dedicated people at Canonicus and look forward to serving you."
phone: 401.522.9729 E-mail
phone: 401.522.9729 E-mail
Hospitality Coordinator |
Ellie Phipps knows and loves the ministries at Canonicus Camp and Conference Center from her previous ministry as Counselor in our Camping Ministries where she worked with the Leaders in Training (LIT) program as well as resident and day campers. Ellie is a student at University of Rhode Island and currently serves as the Hospitality Coordinator for our Conferencing Ministries
phone: 401.294.6318
Facilities Manager
Matt Black has served the American Baptists in Rhode Island through their ministries at Canonicus Camp and Conference Center in multiple roles over the last 16 years. He has served as Maintenance Assistant, Assistant Director of Camping Ministries and initially began serving in his current role as Facilities Manager in 2010. Matt has also volunteered with the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island in the area of Youth Ministry and has chaired the Camping and Youth Ministry Team. Matt volunteers with the American Camp Association (ACA)-New England as an accreditation Visitor. Matt lives with his wife Kathy, their dog Nellie and cat Maggie.
phone: 401.249.9315 E-mail
phone: 401.249.9315 E-mail
Chef
Jason Clark
Maintainance
Lucien Martin works part time in maintenance at Canonicus. He is married to Linda the guest services manager for conferencing. Lucien enjoys working with his hands especially doing things mechanical. Lucien is a member of Phenix Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon. He is a goldsmith by trade and also enjoys creating that special piece to delight for years to come.
phone - 107 E-mail
phone - 107 E-mail
Online Communications
Susan Lepore maintains the ABCORI and Canonicus websites and sends out the weekly newsletter, Connections. Susan is a member of the First Baptist Church in America where she is active in their work with refugees. She is a retired children's librarian, an avid gardener and a beginning beekeeper. Susan lives with her husband, Richard.
E-mail
Susan Lepore maintains the ABCORI and Canonicus websites and sends out the weekly newsletter, Connections. Susan is a member of the First Baptist Church in America where she is active in their work with refugees. She is a retired children's librarian, an avid gardener and a beginning beekeeper. Susan lives with her husband, Richard.
