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Rev. Dr. Cedric L. Perkins joins Saint Francis Ministries

Perkins will focus on community engagement: “We all care about children.”

OMAHA, NEB. – Nov. 18, 2021 – The Rev. Dr. Cedric L. Perkins has joined Saint Francis Nebraska as director of Community Engagement, a position well-suited for his leadership role in the Omaha community.

“I’m excited to join Saint Francis Ministries to serve and to bring people together as we address issues in our community,” Perkins said. “I have such a heart for the vulnerable children who need stability and support, and I believe we can accomplish that by working together.”

Perkins brings a strength to Saint Francis in his ability to connect with others and to share stories in a way that helps people understand that while we may not all live lives that are alike, we all are part of each other’s stories, said Nancy Montanez-Johner, regional vice president.

“We appreciate Dr. Perkins’ willingness to serve in the community engagement role, especially as he is someone who many people trust,” she said. “Saint Francis has been challenged to get out the good stories about the work we do. I work with many people who care deeply about children and families, and they do everything they can to support those families. Dr. Perkins understood and saw that immediately – and he knows that a few stories never tell the whole story. We are excited to have him working with us.”

Perkins said he has spent a lot of time with Montanez-Johner and others at Saint Francis, learning about the work they do, and he’s excited to share their successes and also talk about the challenges faced in caring for the community’s most vulnerable.

“We all care about children,” Perkins said. “I am glad to be able to support an organization that is focused on bringing healing and hope to children and families, just as their mission statement says.”

Perkins is the Senior Pastor at the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Omaha, where has served more than seventeen years.  He has worked in many leadership roles, including serving as President of the New Era Baptist State Convention of Nebraska Inc., and nationally as Vice-President of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education division of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. providing oversight to the states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oklahoma. He is active in the Omaha community and is passionate reaching out and connecting people. Perkins is an Urban League of Nebraska 2011 African American Leadership Award and the IMA of Metropolitan Omaha 2016 Drum Major Accountability Award recipient.

Perkins has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electronic Engineering from R.E.T.S. Electronic Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, and he received a Bachelor of Biblical Studies and a Master of Biblical Studies from Heritage Bible College in Huntsville, Alabama. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Perkins is married to Angela Andrews Perkins, and they have three daughters. 

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About Saint Francis Ministries

Saint Francis Ministries is an organization dedicated to providing healing and hope to children and families through foster care, therapeutic foster care, adoption, family preservation, Independent Living, residential care, behavioral health care, and community outreach services. Founded in 1945 in Ellsworth, Kansas, the organization now serves more than 11,000 individuals through child and family welfare services in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, and Arkansas. Additionally, Saint Francis provides supervised living and employment services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Mississippi. The organization is headquartered in Salina, Kansas.

Learn more about Saint Francis Ministries at SaintFrancisMinistries.org.