Rev. Dr. April Y. M. Hearn

Dr. April Y. M. Hearn is an ordained minister and native of Detroit, MI. After several years as a middle school science teacher, she entered full-time ministry at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Wilma R. Johnson. During her twenty years at NPMBC, located in the city of Detroit, she served in various areas of ministry, including Pastor of Children and Youth, Director of the NPMBC After School Program, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor. Dr. Hearn continues exercising her gifts in the field of education as a mentor for the Doctor of Ministry program at Ecumenical Theological Seminary. She was also a recipient of the 2024 Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence Award.

In 2024, under the direction of Holy Spirit, Dr. Hearn answered the call to shepherd the people of God and became the founding Pastor of Zion City of Praise, located in Metro-Detroit. A vibrant worshiper and passionate teacher, Dr. Hearn is a sought-after preacher and conference presenter at both the local and national level.

Dr. Hearn earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana; a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College and a Master of Divinity from Ecumenical Theological Seminary, both in the city of the Detroit. In 2019, Dr. Hearn was conferred the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Her dissertation is titled, Behind the Veil: Domestic Abuse in Christian Homes.