Rev. Dr. Elaine M. Flake
By The Christian Recorder
On May 3, at the 199th Session of the New York Annual Conference, the Reverend Doctor Elaine McCollins Flake was appointed the pastor of Greater Allen AME Cathedral in New York City by Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. Dr. Flake succeeds her husband, the Reverend Doctor Floyd H. Flake, the church’s long-serving pastor who retired last year after over forty years of service. With over 15,000 members, GAC is the largest congregation in the connectional AME Church. Prior to her appointment, she served as the church’s co-pastor.
Dr. Elaine Flake was instrumental in developing the Allen Women’s Resource Center which houses women and children who are victims of domestic violence; the Allen Prison Ministry, and many other of the 100 ministries at the GAC that serve both church and community. She acts as Advisor to the Missionary Department and as Advisor/Coordinator of the Allen Women’s Ministry Department. Each year over 1,000 women from across the country and the Caribbean attend the retreats she hosts. In 2006, the conference attendees raised $64,000 for Women of Darfur; and, in 2010 they raised $20,000 for Women in Haiti..She mentors many male and female leaders in the New York City area and is frequently invited to speak throughout the country.
Dr. Elaine Flake is the author of the popular book, God In Her Midst: Preaching Healing to Hurting Women and has contributed to the Women of Color Study Bible, and Souls of My Sisters: Black Women Break Their Silence, Tell Their Stories, and Heal Their Spirits. She and her husband authored two books, Practical Virtues: Everyday Values and Devotions for African American Families Learning to Live With All Our Souls published in 2003 by Harper Collins and African American Church Management Handbook, published in 2005 by Judson Press.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Elaine Flake earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She received a Master of Arts Degree in English from Boston University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She was awarded the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio. She has received numerous citations and awards. Most recently, The Alumni Trailblazers Award was conferred upon her by Union Seminary. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and the National Council of Negro Women.
Married for more than 39 years, the Flakes are the parents of four adult children: Aliya, Nailah, Robert Rasheed, and Harold Hasan. She has one granddaughter, Nia Renee.