Come to the Table welcomes the newest members of our Fellowship for Rural Faith Leaders!
The fellowship supports leaders of rural faith communities in using their experience, passion, and vision to positively affect change at the intersection of rural life, faith, and justice in North Carolina. With the support of our partners at the Duke Endowment, each Fellow will work alongside Come to the Table staff to craft a plan of engagement that utilizes their interests and insights to connect with local communities through faith, equity, and food.
Our current Fellows are Darren L. Crotts, Tamario M. Howze, and Trishonda Roberson.
Rev. Darren L. Crotts
Darren is the pastor at Smith Grove United Methodist Church in Mocksville, NC. He was an active member at Bethlehem UMC until he followed the call into ordained ministry in 2009. He has a wonderful wife of 22 years, and 3 cool kids in Lyndsay, Payton, and Nathan. He has a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from UNCC and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary. He has been active in his community at a much higher level thanks to his seminary education, the Faith in Rural Communities initiative from the NC Rural Center, and various leadership roles within the Yadkin Valley District. His passion is community building in the name of Christ! He’s a recent recipient of the Mocksville Women’s Club’s prestigious Citizen of the Year Award. He is so thankful for the opportunities to serve God in our beloved Davie County!
Tamario M. Howze
Tamario “Mario” Howze is the eldest son of Earlene Howze and Joseph Ham, and is a native of Durham, NC. After graduating from NC A&T State University with a bachelors in Business and a Masters in Engineering, Tamario was licensed as a Baptist minister while serving under the tutelage of Pastor Stallion at Bethesda Baptist Church (Opelika, Alabama). He then transitioned to Free Spirit Holy Church (Greenville, NC) where he served on their ministerial staff, eventually seeking ordination in the AME Zion church while pursuing a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, where he graduated in 2018. Tamario is currently the pastor of Solid Rock AME Zion Church and is ordained in the AME Zion church as an Elder. Outside of serving as one called to do the work, he was greatly rewarded from God by meeting his soulmate and now wife Elizabeth Styron. She is his engine, motivation and light in every dark area in his life.
Trishonda Roberson
Trishonda Roberson serves as the Executive Director of The REACH Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina which focuses on providing a holistic approach to human, economic, and community development. She holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and is a member of the NC Rural Economic Development Institute and the Christian Community Development Association’s Emerging Leaders Cohort 5. Trishonda received both her practical nursing diploma and Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Edgecombe Community College. She previously worked as a nurse in the area of mental health and substance abuse for more than 15 years. Trishonda is also a graduate of Fruitland Bible College where she received a certificate in Christian Ministry and serves as a licensed minister at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount under the leadership of Pastor James D. Gailliard. Trishonda is passionate about social justice issues such as homelessness, poverty, and violence against women.
For more information about the Equity at the Table Fellowship, contact Michelle Osborne, Program Manager for Faith-Based and Community Partnerships at 919-704-6920 or [email protected].