The Rev. Dr. R. E. Hedgeman is the esteemed Senior Pastor of Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She has served in this capacity since 1997. Prior to coming to Bethany Christian Church in May of 1997, Dr. Hedgeman served on the regional staff of the Christian Church in Ohio as Associate Regional Pastor from 1990 to 1997. 

Dr. Hedgeman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson State University in Towson, Maryland in 1981 and a Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky in 1988. She was chosen for “Who’s Who among students in American Universities and Colleges” in both 1981 and 1988. She also earned her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1996.

Her pastoral work has included Youth Minister at Twelfth Street Christian Church in Washington D.C., Student Associate Pastor of Third Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky during her seminary years, and Pastor of the Howett Street Christian Church in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Hedgeman also taught courses in Black Studies at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Dr. Hedgeman has served the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in a variety of arenas.  She has traveled to and preached in Africa, Central America and Korea. She has served as:

• President of the Division of Overseas Ministry (Disciples of Christ)

• President of the National Convocation (Disciples of Christ)

• Member of the National City Christian Church Foundation

• Member of the Greenwood Cemetery Board of Trustees (Disciples of Christ)

In addition, Dr. Hedgeman has given leadership to a Revisioning Process for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio. 

Dr. Hedgeman led Bethany Christian Church in retiring a mortgage of $1.1 million in 2001. As Pastor of Bethany Christian Church, the congregation has been blessed to grow spiritually, numerically and programmatically under her leadership. The congregation has a community-centered focus. The outreach opportunities have enabled Bethany to adopt families, participate in prayer vigils, feed the homeless, and partner with other congregations. In 2008, Bethany Christian Church added an administrative and educational wing onto their edifice known as the Joshua Wing. This state of the art facility has blessed its members as well as the community.

Dr. Hedgeman has been a blessing to the membership of Bethany Christian Church, the community as well as the City of Cleveland. Dr. Hedgeman is a much sought after preacher, teacher, evangelist and workshop facilitator. She is a blessing to the membership of Bethany Christian Church and under her anointed leadership, the ministry continues to grow. Pastor Hedgeman is a concerned and loving leader, an effective administrator; a powerful preacher; an anointed teacher and a dedicated pastor of Bethany Christian Church with a heart for the community.