Pastor on state panel

The new vice chairman is affiliated with numerous organizations.

COLUMBUS — The Rev. Willie F. Peterson was elected to serve a two-year term as vice chairman of the Ohio Community Service Council, the state agency for community service and volunteerism.

Elected last week, the term will end in December 2009.

Members of the Ohio Community Service Council are appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland and represent state agencies, businesses, higher education, community agencies, labor and youths.

The council, an office of Ohio government, was established in 1994 and given authority by the state Legislature to hire a staff and to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.

The Rev. Mr. Peterson was first appointed to the council in August 2004 and is in his second term.

Mr. Peterson is pastor of New Birth-Kimmelbrook Baptist Church in Youngstown and the executive director of both the Center for Community Empowerment and The Pathway Partner Group.

As a community organizer, Mr. Peterson has hosted grant-writing workshops, seminars and conferences both nationally and locally. He is a consultant for business, community, government and faith-based organizations.

Mr. Peterson also serves on the Trumbull Workforce Investment Board and Youngstown State University Diversity Council. He is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Board.  

He is affiliated with the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprises in Washington D.C.; a Son of the Father’s House Ministries in Atlanta; a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Youngstown and Vicinity, a member of the Baptist Pastors Council of Youngstown, and several other clergy and community associations.

Mr. Peterson and his wife, Ella, are the parents of five adult children and grandparents of nine.