Awards
2023 APCE ENRICH
Educator of the Year
Jenna Campbell
Jenna Campbell’s passion for educational ministry began in her childhood, with formative faith experiences in her family, the church, and church camp which nurtured her strong sense of call at the age of 12 to become a Christian educator.
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, Jenna graduated from Union Theological Seminary – Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) with a Master’s in Christian Education. She is a Certified Christian Educator in the PC(USA).
Jenna has served two congregations in Oklahoma, currently as the Director of Children and Youth Ministry at her home church of First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater. It has been Jenna’s “dream job”, giving back to the congregation that nurtured her faith and call to ministry. She provided leadership for implementing sustainable ministry in the children and youth programs. During the COVID pandemic, Jenna created a website to support families as they nurture faith at home. This website, www.fpcfaithfulfamilies.com, has been visited by thousands across the country and the world, resourcing both families and church leaders.
Jenna lives out her belief in connectional ministry by working with gifted colleagues across the state, region, and nation. She enjoys resourcing educators and congregations through mentoring and consulting. Her vital leadership for the South Central Region of APCE (SCRAPCE) guided the organization to envision and live into a new ministry structure in her three years as president. Through eight years of service on the Educator Certification Committee, Jenna provided key leadership for the revamp of the Christian Education Associate level of endorsement in addition to serving as the ECC moderator and Exam Administrator.
Her skills in curriculum writing and resource sharing have been a gift to many, including PCUSA special offerings, Dwight Mission Camp and Conference Center, APCE workshops, and others as she generously shares materials for programs and ministries.
Jenna is passionate about family faith formation and intergenerational ministry, as well as engaging children and youth in a faith that actively pursues justice and compassion in the world. She credits her (engineer) father’s gift of organization and her mother’s gifts of creativity and faith with the perfect blend of gifts for a Christian educator.
The greatest gift and joy in Jenna’s life is her family. She’s honored to share life and laughter with husband Casey and daughters Reese (13) and Emerson (10) and is grateful for their inspiration and love.
2023 APCE SUSTAIN
Lifetime Achievement
Debby Madden
Debby Madden is a graduate of King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, where she received a B.A. in secondary education focused on English and history.
Debby is a ruling elder, ordained in 1995 at St James Presbyterian Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, an Associate Certified Christian Educator and has a certification in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Seminary, Decatur, GA. Debby retired from First Presbyterian, Carlisle, PA, where she served as Director of Educational Ministry for 20 years. As Director, Debby has led all ages in Bible study, mission trips and projects, Vacation Bible School, Toddler Time and other educational programs. She has led both church and community prayer events. She was honored as Educator of the Year in 2016 by EAPCE (Eastern APCE). Prior to her second career as a church educator, Debby worked in accounting and banking.
Debby has served APCE and EAPCE in a variety of positions. She has served the National APCE as a regional representative, chair of the APCE Advocate committee and as the Treasurer. She was part of the Task Force for the new form of government. Debby has also served EAPCE as Secretary, President, and Treasurer. She has created a variety of workshops and Spirituality Centers for both National and EAPCE.
Debby has served the Presbytery of Carlisle on a variety of committees and task forces, including as Treasurer of the Presbytery, chair of the Interim Executive Search Committee and as chair of both the Education and Administrative Committees. She was selected as an Elder Commissioner to the 223 rd General Assembly in 2018. Debby also has served Carlisle Presbytery through their Camp Krislund ministry as both a chaplain and counselor volunteer. In retirement she continues to serve the church as pulpit supply, Bible study leader, and a curriculum consultant.
Debby has supported her local Carlisle community as a volunteer for the local food bank, Project SHARE, community worship walks and services, and First Night New Year’s Eve programs.
Debby is married to her wonderful husband, Dave. She is mom and stepmom to David, Kristen, Diane, Dave, and Dennis, and (best of all) grandmother to the 3M’s – Michelle, Mason, and McKenzie. She loves reading, jigsaw puzzles, and baseball, especially the Phillies.
2023 APCE SUSTAIN
Lifetime Achievement
Mary Marcotte
Mary Marcotte received a BA from Rice University with a double major in history and English.
On graduation, Mary was part of the academic faculty at Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts where she solidified her love of teaching. ‘Retiring’ from public education after the birth of her first child, Mary became increasingly involved in the Christian education programs of her church. This included writing curriculum and serving on the presbytery Christian Education Committee.
After moving to Dallas, TX with her family, Mary would begin her journey as a Christian Educator as a volunteer coming out of the pews. She then pursued seminary coursework to become a Certified Church Educator. She served congregations in Texas and Virginia before election as Associate General Presbyter by the Presbytery of New Covenant in southeast Texas. In addition to coordinating a wide range of educational events, Mary became a sought after teacher and retreat leader at the local, regional and national levels. A believer in the connectional ministries of the church, Mary took an active leadership role in both the South Central Region of APCE and APCE leadership teams. She additionally served eight years on the Educator Certification Committee of the PC(USA), including a term as moderator.
Mary’s presbytery work gradually expanded beyond Christian Education and Leadership Development to include visioning, evangelism, congregational renewal, and work with new church development and the 1001 initiative. Mary brought her educator’s heart and skill set to work that supported all aspects of vital congregational life.
In retirement Mary and Michael, her husband of more than fifty years, moved to back to Dallas and are once again active members of Northridge Presbyterian, the church where Mary began her professional ministry. She is the proud mother of adult children Matt and Meg and grandsons Linus and Arlo. Mary now volunteers in faith formation ministries and relishes weaving together learning communities and cheering on the work of educational ministry and those dedicated to its excellence.