As a third generation minister’s wife, Mrs. Arvella Austin Strong has a passion for her vocations as a missionary, bible study lecturer/teacher, community activist, and liturgical dancer. Her aspiration to raise the consciousness regarding the plight of the powerless and disenfranchised extends her travels beyond the United States to Haiti, Jamaica, Turkey and Lesotho, with financial ministries in Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, South Africa, India and Guatemala.

As a missionary, Mrs. Strong served as the Southern California Conference Branch President, Young People’s Director for the fourteen western states from California to Missouri, and presently serves as the International Prayer Teams Coordinator.  Mrs. Strong received her life time membership to the Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for meritorious service.

As a community activist, Mrs. Strong served as a board member of several community-based organizations in California, Arizona, and Missouri and is the recipients of numerous awards and honors for her community involvements.

Mrs. Strong received with honors both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and her Master of Science Degree in Business Organizational Management.  A retiree after 25 years employment in corporate America as a Customer Service Manager, Personnel Administrator, and Governmental Affairs Consultant for Southern California Edison, she served as a consultant for the University of Arizona, during a brief residence in Tucson, Arizona.

Mrs. Strong is married to the Rev. C. Jessel Strong, Presiding Elder of the St. Louis Columbia District in the Missouri Conference.  They are the proud parents of four children and four grandchildren.