Rev. Dr. Ruby Wilson is the Senior Pastor of Safe Haven United Church of Christ in Ridgewood, NY. Reared in Harlem’s Lincoln Houses, she is the seventh of nine children born to the late David and Dovetta Wilson. She received her a BA degree from Houghton College and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from New York Theological Seminary.
Rev. Ruby’s pastoral work with Safe Haven UCC, has been marked by several meaningful accomplishments to the Body of Christ. She is a sought after and gifted preacher bringing passion and life to the Word of God. She is a committed mentor to ministers of the Gospel, shepherding many on their ministerial and life journeys. Her mentees have gone forward all over the world to become Bishops, Pastors, Apostles, Evangelists, teachers, Chaplains, preachers of the gospel message, high powered executives, politicians, attorneys, graphic designers, musicians, and much more.
Rev. Ruby also ministers to ministers in crisis, having faced and thrived after her own life crises. In 2014, she was the recipient of a Louisville Institute Pastoral Study grant: At the Crossroads of Theodicy and Theology, to study how the theology of ministers impacts their ability to withstand life crises. From that study, she launched Safe Haven Unmasked, a ministry to ministers in Crisis. This ministry is part of Safe Haven Emerges: 5 areas of ministry that take the love of God beyond the church walls, which is led under her compassionate guidance and direction.
Rev. Ruby serves on the New York Conference UCC Commission on Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, leads the NY Conference Gospel Choir, and serves on the Metropolitan Association of the NY Conference UCC Committee on Ministry. Rev. Ruby is also the Founder and Executive Director of JasD’Jor: Emerging Philanthropists, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families of special needs children and training children to use their gifts and talents for service to the world.
Rev. Ruby has taught at the Auburn Theological Seminary, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and New York Theological Seminary. She is the President of the Board of UCC’s Metropolitan Association, New York Conference, Board of Directors.
Rev. Dr. Wilson enjoys travel, teaching music theory, playing the piano and bass guitar. She is an avid sports fan of boxing, baseball, basketball and tries her hand at golf from time to time. She resides with her family in Queens.