Rev. Dr. Lucretia R. Facen

SENIOR PASTOR
lfacen@spumcd.net

Rev. Dr. Lucretia R. Facen is an ordained Elder in the North Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Dr. Facen received her undergraduate degree in Education in 1983 from the University of North Texas.  She also received a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1985 from the same university. Dr. Facen worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist for several years before responding to God’s call to ministry in 1997.  She completed her seminary training at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University and received the Master of Divinity degree in May 2001. While at SMU, Rev. Facen received the Robert Weatherford Award for Excellence in Preaching. She received the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in May 2018. Dr. Facen is a Perkins Center For Preaching Excellence ARKLATEX Preaching Fellow.

Dr. Facen believes God has called her to minister to the Body of Christ in the following areas:

1. Ministry of Preaching and Teaching. She believes God’s word convicts hearts and transforms lives. This happens as God’s word is proclaimed in worship, through Sunday school, bible studies and small group studies.
2. Ministry of Prayer. Dr. Facen believes in the power of prayer. She believes that as God’s people pray together, they are empowered for impactful ministry in the church and in the community. ‘A church that will kneel together and pray to God is a church that will rise together in the power of God.”
3. Ministry of Commissioning. Dr. Facen understands the Great Commission as a mandate from our Lord and Savior. Dr. Facen believes that the church is called to equip and empower disciples of Jesus Christ to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Her studies have focused on educating and equipping the church for disciple making in cross cultural contexts.
4. Ministry of Service. Dr. Facen believes the church is called and empowered to meet the needs of others. The love of Christ calls and empowers the church to minister to the needs of broken, hurting and marginalized people.

Dr. Facen served as Senior Pastor of Jubilee United Methodist Church in Duncanville, Texas from June 2001 to June 2007. She was appointed to Hamilton Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas in July 2007 where she served as Pastor of Worship and Welcoming Ministries. She also worked with young adult, hospitality and women’s ministries. Dr. Facen has recently served as Senior Pastor of New World United Methodist Church in Garland, Texas, a cross-racial appointment. Within the North Texas Conference of the UMC she served on the Nominations Committee, as Trustee for the Metro District, the District Committee on Ministry, and Chair of the African American Clergy Fellowship. She currently serves on the Committee on Investigations and the Board of Ordained Ministry. Dr. Facen serves as a mentor for local pastors in the North Texas Conference and has served as a mentor for student interns from Perkins School of Theology, SMU.

Dr. Facen is married to Rev. Don Robinson, her partner in life and in ministry. Their blended family includes five adult children and eight grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. Lucretia Facen is the daughter of  Rev. W. Ann Facen, former pastor of Willow Street Christian Church in Hannibal Missouri, and Rev. Lloyd B. Facen, former pastor of Warren Avenue Christian Church, in Dallas, Texas. Although both of her parents have gone on to be with the Lord, her preaching is deeply influenced by their legacy of love for God’s word and God’s people.