Reverend Sheleta E. Fomby is a passionate and powerful woman of God—an anointed preacher, visionary leader, and servant committed to advancing the Kingdom of God. She brings a dynamic presence to every pulpit and platform she graces and has a long and distinguished record of service in the Body of Christ.
Rev. Fomby is the pastor of Mt. Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church in Historic East Towson, Maryland, where she leads with spiritual depth, strategic vision, and a heart for community engagement. Her appointment reflects a faithful continuation of her ministry marked by transformative leadership and pastoral excellence.
She is the founder of Sequoia Ministries, a faith-based initiative rooted in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Through Sequoia Ministries, Inc., Rev. Fomby empowers women—particularly those in the early stages of ministry—by offering vocational leadership development in pastoring, preaching, and church planting. Her mission is to help women birth purpose and lead from a place of wholeness and authenticity.
Rev. Fomby has previously served as the founding co-pastor of New Life Church, Inc. in Laurel, Maryland, and as pastor of Hemingway AME Church in District Heights, Maryland. Her ministry was shaped and sharpened through years of executive leadership at Reid Temple AME Church under the mentorship of Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington and Rev. Dr. Matthew L. Watley. At Reid Temple, she held key leadership roles including Director of Discipleship and Development, Director of Church Life and Women’s Ministry, Director of Small Groups, Managing Minister of Evening Worship, and Minister of Congregational Care.
A native of Washington, D.C., Rev. Fomby holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland University College and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, with a concentration in African American Church Studies. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where her research explores the flourishing of Black women in pastoral leadership, using a Womanist theological lens and contemplative practices.
Rev. Fomby is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran and was honorably discharged after serving her country with distinction. She has also been a participant in the TMS Global Thrive Program, fostering cross-cultural dialogue between African American and Ghanaian pastors, and is an Exemplar in the Christian Theological Seminary’s Compelling Preaching Initiative. She also served on the Prince George’s County Faith Advisory Council.
Her preaching ministry has taken her across the country and beyond. She has served as the George A. Crawley Women in Ministry Preacher and Morning Preacher at the prestigious Hampton University Ministers’ Conference and was inducted into the 38th Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.
Rev. Fomby received the Lord Jesus Christ at age 16 at New Covenant Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop A. Norris Smith. She was ordained as an Itinerant Deacon in 2007 and as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2009.She is a woman of deep faith, a gifted communicator, and a visionary builder with a heart for helping others reach their full potential in Christ. Daily, she draws strength from Philippians 1:6—“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
