The Reverend Angela Ford Nelson, M.Div., PMP is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church where she fulfills her call to Word, Sacrament and Order as the pastor of New Life United Methodist Church in Walterboro, South Carolina.
“Pastor Angela” is the daughter of Albert Ford and the late Dorothy Hardy Ford of Wedgefield, South Carolina where she and her twin sister – Adrienne Ford White and brother – Albert Ford, Jr. grew up. Angela is a daughter of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Sumter, S.C. where she and her family have worshipped and served for more than 40 years.
Angela is a graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina where she earned the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a graduate from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia S.C where she received a Master of Divinity and a Certification in Spiritual Direction. Angela is the founder and proprietor of The Sanctuary, a Spiritual Direction practice wherein she walks with Directees as they discern the call of God. Angela is a mentor in the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Spiritual Direction program, and as of Fall 2021 she is the Adjunct Professor for Field Education and Clinical Pastoral Education Coordinator for the seminary. As a result of Angela's distinguished 30 year career in Financial Services, she is a sought after subject matter expert in Business Controls, Auditing, Project Management. She is the recipient of several corporate awards including the Royal Bank of Canada’s highest recognition: The “Leo Award” for outstanding achievement and IBM’s Leadership Achievement Award.
For the past two decades, Angela has served as guest speaker an retreat designer and leader across the South East. Her retreats include "The Vine," The Gospel of Mark, "Don't Sit on Your A.S.K., and "The Alabaster Box." She serves as Assistant Secretary for the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Member of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Advisory Council, Audit Chairperson and Trustee for the Epworth's Children's Home, and Member of the Kershaw County Medical Center's Auxiliary Council.
In 2014 she was blessed to travel with Bishop Jonathan Holston and a team of 32 pilgrims to Johannesburg, South Africa and to Mutare, Zimbabwe – this was indeed a life changing experience for her. Angela is one of the three Co-Hosts of "Life Conversations" and the host of "Meet Me at the Well" on www.powerandpraiseradio.com.
Pastor Nelson’s passion is serving the people of New Life UMC where she was appointed to serve as pastor in July of 2021. Prior to this appointment she served as the pastoral leader of Good Hope Wesley Chapel UMC - GHWC. GHWC's church's building was ravaged by the floods of October 2015 - however, because of great teamwork with members of Lyttleton Street UMC and members of the community, GHWC was been rebuilt, restored, and renewed! Because of her ecumenical work to restore the church - Pastor Nelson was awarded the Barbara Boultinghouse Bridge Builder's Award at the SC Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in June 2016.
Pastor Angela is also thankful for the people of Mt. Zion UMC in Bishopville – her first clergy appointment. During her tenure with Mt. Zion, the church was honored to receive the prestigious Bishop’s Five Star Award for three years in a row!
Angela’s testimony can be found in the story of the “Sinful Woman with the Alabaster Box” spoken of in Luke Chapter 7; and when preaching she often uses her “Alabaster Box of Praise” to illustrate the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness!