Meet The Pastor

Rev. Ethel H. Wade was born and raised in the community of Mizpah, NJ and the youngest daughter born to Freddie and Mattie Washington. She was educated in the Hamilton Township School system in New Jersey and furthered her education at Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She later attended Lincoln University and earned her Master’s Degree in Human Services.  She has two daughters, Omoanatse and Ilamosi and two grandsons, Oshogwe and Eze and one granddaughter Nova.

After working as an educator and social worker in Egg Harbor Township and Philadelphia, she moved to Nigeria in 1984.  She continued her occupation as a teacher and later became the Deputy Acting Principal of Sacred Heart Elementary School in Kaduna, Nigeria. While in Nigeria, she also became a volunteer member of “Niger Wives” where they raised funds for a children’s orphanage.  

Rev. Ethel H. Wade took her skills to the next level when she returned to the United States, working at various human services agencies in Cumberland and Atlantic Counties. Concerned about the problematic areas of lack of employment, academic and social service programs, she chose to advocate on behalf of the community at large and came back to her hometown. She became employed by Mizpah Inland Human Services, Inc. as the Executive Director for 23 years. During her tenure there, she instituted several programs such as Summer Mini-Camp, The Learning Center, The Loving Care Center, Sr. Kitchen, Nu Unity Day, Saving Generations and U Reach One HIV/AIDS Programs. Currently Rev. Ethel H. Wade is the Unit Director at the Vineland Carl Arthur Center, Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County. 

Rev. Ethel H. Wade was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Connection in 2006.  As a member of St. John AME Zion Church in Mizpah, NJ, she served as the Assistant Pastor. She also serves as Church Executive Board member, Worship Leader, Minister of Youth, Prison Ministry, Board of Evangelism President, Christian Education Workshop Facilitator, Church School Teacher and HIV/AIDS Lecturer. She is an active member of the Greater Atlantic County Ministerial Alliance.  As of September 2013, Rev. Ethel H. Wade serves as Police Chaplain of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.   She is also the founder of the non-profit organization, “Way Corp.”   Presently, she is Pastor of Greater Victory AME Zion of Pleasantville, NJ. She spearheads and oversees outreach ministries such as Open Arms Ministries, Food Pantry Distribution, Prayer Line, Card Ministry, Assistance to College Students and Families of Domestic Violence.

Rev. Wade continues to mentor many individuals and families. She is a messenger and a dynamic orator on current events. It is through these endeavors she spreads the Gospel, the love of Jesus and proclaims the Word of God. She believes in the moving power of the Holy Spirit and one of her favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”