By Mary Walton, Contributing Writer
What was once thought was merely a passion for the field of Human Resources, the Reverend Felicia Gross realized was a much larger passion and calling to serve others, promote just treatment of all, and help others recognize and live in the fullness of their worth. She has relinquished control to her calling. She was ordained an Itinerant Elder by Bishop James L. Davis during the Second Episcopal District Hybrid Combined Ordination and Holy Sacraments on October 20, 2021.
As a member of Community of Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church for the last fourteen years, Reverend Felicia began her journey as a team leader of the Stewardess Board and Class Leader of several Women’s Discipleship classes. As a member of the ministerial staff, she currently serves in church administration and a leadership capacity on both the Women’s and Marriage ministries.
Reverend Felicia is the visionary behind Make It Happen SIS (Spiritually Inspired Sisters). Make It Happen SIS (www.makeithappensis.com) creates safe spaces to inspire, motivate, and coach women toward making it happen. Her definition of a Spiritually Inspired Sister is a woman who understands her greatness and walks diligently to fulfill her destiny. She is aware of her self-worth and knows her value. Because she is fearfully and wonderfully made, she does not allow others to treat her less than the virtuous woman she is. She overcomes challenges by acknowledging that God has already planned for her to succeed and prosper! All these things are carried with grace and class and not conceit while being compassionate and caring to others.
While she has spent most of her life in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, she is a native to Georgetown, South Carolina. While under the care of her grandmother, the late Ms. Mattie Mae Wilson, Reverend Felicia began attending Bethel AME Church at a very young age. She is the only child of her mother, Ms. Jerlyn V. Wilson, and the eldest of four to the Reverend Franklin E. Rutledge and First Lady Sandra Rutledge. Reverend Felicia earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland University College. She earned a Master of Divinity with concentrations in Urban Ministry and African American Church Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry, Soul Care. She is blessed to be married to her very best friend, Minister Gregg Gross, Sr. As a blended family, they are the parents of three young adults: Thomas, Elizabeth, Gregg Jr., and one teenager, Gianni.
