Elder Deborah Merritt

Executive Pastor

Deborah J. Merritt currently serves as the Executive Pastor of Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship of Cincinnati, Ohio and community pastor of the city. She is among the first of females to serve as an executive pastor in an urban church. She is responsible for the management of the CECF staff, day to day operations, and fiscal planning and budgeting. Deborah has an abundance of experience in church and non-profit leadership, personal counseling to single men and women, couples, and families. She also has served for many years with the marginalized and substance abuse populations.

Deborah loves God and ministers with prophetic insight and precision. Her work reflects her passion to see hope and healing through rebuilding the human spirit. Deborah is a gifted and sought after teacher, preacher, and administrator who enjoys ministering to the body of Christ. Being an excellent lecturer of spiritual truths that are applicable for everyday living, Deborah is an avid counselor and teacher. She is committed to helping people understand their ordained journey that leads to success and mastery in life.

Deborah received her B.A. in Biblical Studies and Organizational Leadership, and a Masters of Religion with a concentration in Urban and Intercultural Studies at Cincinnati Christian University. She was the first African American female chaplain to be certified with the Cincinnati Police Department. She is also certified in mediation from Beech Acres Parenting Center. She currently serves on the governing boards of City Gospel Mission, Women Will Change the World International, the Center for Healing the Hurt, Shiloh Adventist Church Food Pantry, and Tennessee Resilience Project in Franklin, Tennessee. She has previously served on the Spiritual Advisory Board for CityLink Center, the Cincinnati City Servants, the Coalition of Care and the Advisory Board of the Triple Creek Retirement Community. Deborah Merritt provides hope through solutions with pastoral and spiritual counseling in private and church settings. One of her greatest passions is to bring healing to the predicaments that result from the social constructs at the root of the ills in our communities.

Deborah resides in Cincinnati and enjoys family life and traveling. She has three daughters, six grandchildren, five bonus grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.