Rev. Dr. Ginger Hertenstein Conley
Ginger Hertenstein Conley retired from First Presbyterian Church Duncanville after 15 years at the end of February, 2023.
She received a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, she has lived in many major cities including Los Angeles, New York City area, Washington D.C., Kansas City, and of course, the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex.
She loves to lead people in the pursuit of God, actively pursuing public ministry using biblical storytelling. She works with city government, businesses, schools, and church and non-profit leadership. She organizes Community Conversations for community leaders, the most recent being about race relations from a spiritual perspective. She and First Presbyterian have led large festivals to bring the diverse community together and raise funds for the local emergency assistance agency, Duncanville Outreach Ministry. She and First Presbyterian organized a Community Chorus which was invited to sing Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall in New York. The Duncanville Chamber named Ginger Duncanville 2018 Woman of the Year.
Ginger enjoys studying the Bible and listening for God’s voice. She likes anything that has to do with conversation about Jesus because He is the most interesting person in (and outside of!) the world. Her ministry approach is to communicate God’s message creatively and skillfully, using words, drama, storytelling, art, and music. These are reflected in each week’s worship service. She works to connect those ancient biblical stories to life today.
Ginger loves being with people. She’s not too into food so whatever is set before her that she does not have to cook is perfect! She likes to eat with children and presidents, and would like to talk to Martin Luther, because he says “preach the Word, even if no one is listening.” That’s the best, because that is what Ginger loves to do.
She can watch The Princess Bride over and over, even though it is old. She remembers sitting on a bench-shaped rock in childhood and being glad to be alive. A favorite book is The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli, but she has many others to recommend to you. If she had a superhero power, she would love to have the power of evangelism to share the good news. Nothing is more potent than the magnificent love of Jesus. She LOVES to see people discover Him.
Ginger’s favorite way to spend a day is with her new husband, their families, and friends. She recently married Allen Conley. In 2020, she and Allen both lost their spouses–Ginger after 38 years; Allen after 42 years. She wrote at the time her husband died, “While this was a very sad and difficult time, I see a bright future because God always brings great hope for our futures.” Now she and Allen are experiencing just that. They hope that the blessing that comes in a marriage founded on the Lord, plus 80 years of collective marriage experience will give others hope, courage, and joy!
She has six adult children and five grandchildren. Allen has two children and five grandchildren. Together that brings an abundance of blessing, which they both value greatly.