Reverend Bernette Lee Jones is the Senior Minister of the One God, One Thought Center for Better Living Inc. (OGOT) in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been involved in New Thought Christian ministry for over 20 years. She was Ordained as a Lay Minister at the Unity Center for Christianity in Baltimore by the Reverend Cathy Gram in 1992. In 1994, she became one of the founding core members who organized OGOT as an affiliate of the Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon's Universal Foundation for Better Living (UFBL). Reverend Bernette served in various capacities during the 12 years of developing OGOT, including several terms as board member, strategic planning member, capital development committee member and on staff as Assistant to the Minister. She was licensed as a Teacher by the Johnnie Colemon Institute of UFBL in 2000. She completed ministerial training and was ordained by The Reverend Dr. Mary Tumpkin, current President of UFBL in 2003.
Reverend Bernette is the second senior minister in the 20 year history of OGOT, appointed in November 2003 following her mentor, The Reverend Ann H. Jefferson, the first senior minister of OGOT. Under the leadership of Rev. Bernette, OGOT has provided outreach and support for the development of UFBL study groups and satellites in the Mid Atlantic Region. The region now has study groups developing in Richmond, Virginia; and Eastern Shore of Maryland /Delaware, as well as a Discussion Group in York, Pennsylvania. In 2004, Reverend Bernette casted the vision for the OGOT Development Corporation to offer principle based community initiatives that demonstrate the infusion of New Thought consciousness building into every aspect of the community. The Development Corporation received its 501 © 3 status in 2009 and is currently overseeing the development of new property purchased by OGOT in 2008.
Reverend Bernette is a writer, public/motivational speaker, workshop and retreat facilitator on topics of spirituality, meditation and personal spiritual empowerment. She has also served as a consultant to community based organizations, local government agencies, universities and small businesses. Most recently, her writing was featured along with such noted contemporary New Thought writers as Reverend Dr. Barbara King, Deepak Chopra and Dr. Wayne Dyer in the book Wake Up: Live the Life You Love In Spirit
Since 1990 Reverend Bernette has been exploring and developing what she calls “Conscious Life Design Systems “ ©1990, a God-inspired, Spirit-directed, self paced living system for people who are committed to intentionally “designing” daily living practices that are based on universal spiritual laws and principles. From 2002 -2005 she hosted a weekly radio broadcast for Times Community Services and The Baltimore Times Newspaper called "Right On Time"; a call in talk show focusing on health education, wellness and empowerment.
From 1984 to 1989, Reverend Bernette was a partner/owner of a wholesale/retail beauty supply distributorship with six stores in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. metropolitan area. From 1990 to 1999 she served in various capacities at the Baltimore Urban League, including positions as Program Director and ultimately the Vice President for Programs. She developed funded programs and collaborative partnerships at the Baltimore Urban League that increased program funding to $3.5 Million in 15 program areas, including housing, employment development, the environment, education, youth employment and health/wellness programs. In conjunction with the National Urban League, she led the development of Baltimore's first community based computer technology center, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Reverend Bernette has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Towson State University in Maryland. She has also studied with The Universal Foundation for Better Living, Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary in the Ministerial Training Program; Unity Center of Christianity in Baltimore; Landmark Education, and Achieve Global. Currently she is pursuing a Master Degree in Theology at the Ecumenical Institute, St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland. She is Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Universal Foundation for Better Living; a member of the Executive Board of the International New Thought Alliance (INTA); on the Advisory Committee of the Capital District International New Thought Alliance (CDINTA); and serves on board of The Baltimore Area Health Education Center.
Bernette has one daughter, Kameel, who is a travel forecasting engineer with the Maryland State Highway Administration and entrepreneur, as well as a son in law, Ron Hall. She is a proud Grandmother and truly adores her grandson.
www.ogot.org - 2014 - Truth be Told