Reverend Joann Landreth has worked in the Unity Movement for 41 years. She began her work in the Unity School Education Department. In 1972 she became the secretary for Reverend J Sig Paulson, working closely with Sig and Jane in every area of the ministry–Sig and Joann sat in the last row of the Activities Center the day before the first event to bless the building, all events to follow, and everyone who would enter its doors. In 1978 she transferred to the Association of Unity Churches International. She graduated from Unity Institute for Continuing Education in 1980, entered the ALP ministerial program in 1983 and was ordained in 1986. She has guided and lead many ministers through the Employment process, she traveled as a staff to Regional meetings and has spoken at many ministries always sharing the light of that indwelling Spirit.

"We are on the planet to be and express the Divine Love of God that is alive in every fiber of our being, waiting to be released through us onto our world. Living as love is a way of life that brings heaven on earth."  



The essence of Agape is best described by its founder, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith: "When I founded the Agape International Spiritual Center and community in 1986, we “visioned” it as a movement that would take a stand for love, for peace, for being a beneficial presence on the planet. That's why it was named "Agape," which in Greek means unconditional love. Agape's vision is fueled by the love of God, the One, indefinable yet unmistakable Presence whose vehicle on earth is the human heart and soul. My aspiration is that every individual who is touched by the vibration of Agape is inspired to cultivate a heart of love as wide as the world." 



Dr. Beckwith's achievement as a humanitarian and emissary of peace have been widely acclaimed. In 2003, his activities were enumerated when he was written into the Congressional Record of the 107th congress. He is the recipient of numerous humanitarian awards, some of which include: The 2004 Africa Peace Award, Thomas Kilgore Prophetic Witness Award, Howard Thurman Stained Glass Window Award by Morehouse College, a commissioned oil portrait for Morehouse's prestigious Hall of preachers, and the Humanitarian Award of the National Conference for Compassion and Justice.

Rickie Byars Beckwith is one of the 21st century's most revered singer-songwriters whose transcendent music opens the heart, touches the soul, and uplifts the heart.

In being an example of change and possibility, Rickie supports numerous organizations that work tirelessly to help improve the lives of others. Several times each year, Rickie organizes benefit performances and music compilations that help gather ideas and resources that bring “Water to a Dry Land.”

Michael's and Rickie's key word is service—being of selfless service locally by feeding the homeless, supporting incarcerated individuals and their families, and globally by building eco villages, schools, clinics, libraries, and homes for unwed mothers, and those who have been ravaged by war, AIDS and starvation.

Carl's first career was in medicine. During his residency, he began volunteering in the hospice program in Rochester, NY. After serving as medical director of a community health center in upstate New York, Carl moved to Connecticut to serve as a full-time hospice physician. In that setting he saw what a difference it made to have a relationship with a loving God as a person faced death. It was several years later, after he had moved to Buffalo, NY to be medical director of its hospice, that Carl found Unity.  

As Carl learned more about Unity principles from Sue Smith's Sunday message and classes, he felt called to ministry. Ordained in 1993, Carl was the first minister at Unity Fellowship Church in Norwalk, CT. He has served on your Association home office staff as VP of Minister & Ministry Services for 14 years.

Lynne is an ordained Unity minister and serves as vice president of Silent Unity. Silent Unity celebrates 120 years of service in 2010. The prayer ministry is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives nearly two million prayer requests each year from people of many different faith traditions.