"I learned a long time ago that a call to teach or preach is a call to preparation, and I knew I needed to know some things I didn’t," she said.

Thus began her extensive, and impressive, educational journey. She also attended the College of New Rochelle where she earned her Bachelor’s degree and furthered her education at the New York Theological Seminary. It was there that she received both her Master’s degree and her Doctorate of Ministry. Always willing to learn and teach, Manning has continued her studies at the Princeton Theological Seminary and obtained a certificate from the Harvard University Divinity School Leadership Institute. She is also a graduate of the Institute of Church Administration and Management at Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta.

Ordained in October 1985, she first was part of the Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem and then became an assistant pastor at St. Matthew’s Church, also in Harlem. On May 7, 1993, she was called to be part of New Hope’s 400-member congregation in Hackensack, and has since become an integral part of the Hackensack community and its people.

Under her leadership, for the second year in a row, New Hope has joined with Manning’s alma mater, the New York Theological Seminary, to host one of the satellite communities for the two-year Theological Certificate Program. Of the 20 graduates of this certificate program, four of them come from New Hope. Manning is especially proud of this, as it reinforces her desire to instill education and training in her church.

"It really is about training and developing the lay persons of this church. This education, in essence, will help them do the work of God," she said.

But Manning’s work does not stop within her church. Since she has been pastor, a new organization, the New Hope Community and Economic Development Corporation, was formed in 1996 to "… offer a variety of services to the community that improves their quality of life," she said. The organization is not for profit, and although it is a separate entity from New Hope, it holds its meetings at the church. It is a faith-based group, but is not faith centered, so there are no restrictions as to who may participate, she said.

Manning said of the offerings, "Programs include Camp Hope, a three-week, state approved Summer Day Camp for children 5 to 12, a year-round mentoring and tutoring program in partnership with the Hackensack Middle School, Hackensack High School and Bergen County Community College Student Association, an HIV/AIDS prevention and education program, and a 24 month grant-funded Financial Literacy Program. - Project Jubilee."

A widower, she has one son and two grandchildren who live in Long Island. Though she was raised in New York, Manning has used the Community and Economic Development Corporation to give back to the Hackensack community that she has grown so fond of over the past 15 years.

"Hackensack has become a beloved community to me," she said. "It was quite welcoming and has become my home. I love it here and I definitely have this community’s interest at heart."

Dr. Manning’s 15th anniversary service will be celebrated on Sunday, May 11 at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 214 Berdan Place (at First Street).

For more information on New Hope or the Community and Economic Development Corporation, call 201-343-9449 or visit www.newhopebaptistchurch.org.