Reverend Jawwad J. Love
A small-town preacher’s invitation to try Jesus disrupted Jawwad’s life plan at the age of 24 and led him on an unexpected journey to seek God’s will and not his own.
Raised by the tough love of a single mother working multiple jobs to keep food on the table, Jawwad learned the lessons of life early in his native city of St. Louis, Missouri. Many wanted Jawwad’s attention, a Black male teenager with a revolutionary mindset and natural ability to influence people. However, Jawwad gave his full attention to the streets. The unfortunate death of close friends and the cycle of physical and mental unrest pushed Jawwad to recognize the need for change. The change began with enlisting in the military, followed by more than 20 years of voluntarily serving God’s people, leaving a footprint of impactful leadership globally.
Jawwad currently serves as the pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church, located in Springfield, Ohio. Jawwad is also the founder and resource development leader at Mbele Leadership Foundation, an authentic community of extraordinary trailblazers committed to developing, empowering, and connecting emerging world changers in a changing world.
In 2020 Jawwad began doctoral studies in Global Christian Leadership and the Urban Context at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Kansas State University. Jawwad served his country honorably in the United States Army, fighting on the battlefield in the first Gulf War - Operation Desert Storm (1991). He received multiple medals for his leadership and service.
God molded Jawwad's calling, placing within him a willingness to live by faith and a desire to seek the least, both professionally and in Christian ministry. Jawwad's early ministry included leading devotions for homeless men in St. Louis. He also worked seven years as a Development, Planning, and Relocation Specialist with the St. Louis Housing Authority. His work allowed him to be a part of a team responsible for revitalizing various St. Louis neighborhoods. His most recent demonstration of obedience to God's will, pre-COVID, expands to Africa, assisting the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church with planting churches in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Jawwad began his preaching ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, preaching his trial sermon at Washington Metropolitan AME Zion Church (St. Louis) in 2001. His former pastorates include Greater Cooper AME Zion (Oakland, CA), Pineville AME Zion (Rock Hill, SC), Faith AME Zion (Atlanta, GA), United Ghana Church (interim pastor, Atlanta, GA), Blackwell AME Zion (Webster Groves, MO), St. John AME Zion (East St. Louis, IL), and Dunavant Chapel AME Zion (Jefferson City, MO). Jawwad also organized two new societies, Jubilee AME Zion (Belleville, IL) and Transformation AME Zion (Atlanta, GA). During his tenure with the AME Zion Church, Jawwad was ordained a deacon and elder, served as Presiding Elder of 10 churches in the Atlanta District, and held multiple leadership roles in conference studies, evangelism, and finance.
Jawwad is married to Dr. Tammi Love, a powerful and graceful preaching woman of God. They have two daughters, Lexi and Lisha.
