About Us

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The Shalom Spiritual Center is a ministry dedicated to teaching spiritual principles that can inform and transform lives. Our vision is to foster a spiritual community that facilitates spiritual growth and transformation.

The Shalom Spiritual Center is a teaching ministry of the United Church of Christ.

Reverend Dr. Aqueelah Salome is the Founder and Spiritual Director of The Shalom Spiritual Center, a ministry of transformation for those seeking healing and spiritual refuge. She also serves as Board President for PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., a progressive online asynchronous school of theology education for those seeking ordination or a deeper appreciation of theology.

She is certified as a Pastoral Counselor from the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy. In addition, she has a certificate in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Health Care Ethics from the University of Virginia. 

Rev. Salome has held several ministerial positions, including serving as the Senior Pastor of The First Church of North Miami Congregational, United Christ of Christ, Associate Pastor of Pembroke Manor United Church of Christ, Police Chaplain for the North Miami Police Department, Trauma Chaplain for Sentara Norfolk Hospital, Hospice Chaplain for VITAS Healthcare, Executive Director of The Richmond Education Peace Center, and the Executive Director of The Institute for Southern Studies.  

She graduated from the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. She also completed a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Before her call to ministry, Rev. Salome served as an Officer in the United States Army.  

Reverend Ginnie Ferrell is the Treasurer of The Shalom Spiritual Center Board of Directors. She is retired United Church of Christ clergy and a long-time church educator serving churches in Maine and Georgia. Rev. Ferrell also serves on the Board of Directors of PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. 

Prior to ordained ministry, Ginnie worked as a field geologist, geophysics field technician, and during ministry breaks as a ski technician at Maine Adaptive, and an elementary science teacher in GA. Ginnie received a B.A. Geology (Hampshire College), B.S. Chemistry (U. Alaska), M. Divinity (Bangor Theological Seminary), and M.S. Chemistry (Georgia Institute of Technology). She was Certified as anEnvironmental Educator in 2016. Ginnie is married to Jack Raymer. She enjoys friends,family, gardening, cooking, and the outdoors.

Reverend Darla Caldwell Broden, MDiv., Esq. is a native of Flint, Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University. She practiced law in Texas and Michigan for 17 years, emphasizing Municipal law. 

Rev. Broden then attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where she received her Master of Divinity degree. While at Emory, she concentrated her studies in Pastoral Care. After graduation, she did a two-year Chaplaincy residency.  at Emory University Hospital, specializing in transplant patients. Rev. Broden has done coursework in Healing through Art and Shamanic Transformation. 

Rev. Broden served as a Hospice Chaplain for 17 years. She has served as Chair of the Ethics Committee for Vitas Hospice, Ft. Lauderdale, and Memorial Herman Hospice. 

She has presented the Use of Story and Music in Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients, Forgiveness, Self-Care for Caregivers, End of Life; Spirituality and Grief from secular and spiritual perspectives, and Transformation through Gratitude. She uses her creative talents to write stories, poetry, and create artwork. She received The Florida Hospice 2010 Hospice Storybook Award for her use of story with patients and families. 

Rev. Broden is an ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She currently serves on the ministerial staff of Wesley A.M.E. Church in Houston, TX and is a Board Member of The Shalom Spiritual Center. 

MSgt. Retired (USAF) Kennita Mathis is a Social Worker and Certified Behavioral Health Specialist (SBIRT).  After retiring from the United States Air Force, Ms. Mathis received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the renowned Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Mathis has worked as a Behavioral HealthTherapist.  She has also worked abroad as a Work Life Specialist, supporting active duty service members and their families, connecting them with services to help them navigate military life and their transition to civilian life. Currently, Ms. Mathis is a Victim Advocate for military service members who are survivors of sexual assault.