Our Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Seesa Harris Ellison was born in Framingham, Massachusetts to Michael and Donna Harris- Ellison. Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison was raised in the State of Connecticut and attended parochial and public schools in the City of New Haven.

In the fall of 1997, she enrolled at Delaware State University. While attending the University, she served as class treasurer, was a member of Phenomenal Women and the Political Science Clubs. In 2001, she received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Pre-Law.

With the heart for Juris Prudence, Rev. Dr. Seesa Harris-Ellison attended University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2002 receiving her Masters of Arts|Doctoral Degree in Juris Prudence. While attending University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Rev. Dr.Harris-Ellison was elected Co-chair of the Legal Association of Women and became a member of Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.

Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison has worked in the civil and criminal law fields. Her legal work experience includes but is not limited to The New Center for Legal Advocacy of MA, Department of Social Services of MA, and Public Defender Services of CT.

Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison birthed from a long line of notable Pastors, Preachers, Reverends, and Missionaries learned to love God's Word and had a profound desire to converse about the Bible, Spirituality, and all things Christian.

While attending University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison continued to pursue and foster her relationship with Jesus Christ.

In December 2001 she joined St. Matthew’s U.F.W.B. Church of New Haven, CT under the leadership of Bishop Robert J. Gay and the counsel of her biological aunt and spiritual advisor Rev. Dr. Rosetta Wheeler-Paris.

During this chapter of her life she recognized the anointing and the call God placed upon her life and elevated as Associate Minister in 2008 and Ordained Reverend in 2011.

As Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison matured in the world and God's Word, she realized she was privileged to have the natural ability to lead, possessed innate gifts, and had interests that connected to the divine purpose God has given her.

Throughout her Christian Experience at St. Matthew’s U.F.W.B. Church, Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison served in many capacities under Bishop Robert J. Gay and Pastor Kevin C. Hardy including Secretary of the Trustee Ministry, Vice President of the Home Mission Ministry, Assistant Secretary of the Pastors Aid Ministry, teacher of St Matthew’s New Members Class, Associate Minister, Christian Education Instructor, Ministers In Training/ Leadership Development Director.

She uses all that she has learned and experienced to impart knowledge and wisdom in achieving success both in secular and religious arenas.

God has blessed Rev. Dr. Harris Ellison with an illuminating voice that captures the hearts of all who hear. The CT listening audience got to know and love Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison as the Gospel on-air personality of Sweet Sounds of Praise for 94.3 WYBC-FM. With her deep love for the entertainment industry, she introduces performers, moderates panels and discussions, as well as hosts’ special events.

Above all, Rev. Dr. Harris Ellison is a servant who has dedicated her life to serving God and humanity.

With this passion, Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison birthed the “S.H.E." Network. S.H.E. Network was birthed out of a deep passion for people and the God given assignment of Shaping Destinies/Healing the Broken/Empowering a Generation.

The mission of S.H.E. is to fulfill its mandate of assessing, affirming, as well as advancing individuals and organizations through strategic development so that they realize their maximum potential, challenging them to live in their intended purpose.

To this end, S.H.E mobilizes individuals and organizations in various stages of life to maximize their potential and reach their ordained destiny.

Rev. Dr. Harris -Ellison served as Supply Pastor for Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Norwalk CT in 2021, in January 2022 was elected as Interim Pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Hamden, CT., and in April of 2023 was elected to the pristine position of Senior Pastor.

Committed to shepherding and disciplining individuals, she has the distinguished honor of providing Ecumenical and Strategic Leadership, ministering to the holistic spiritual needs of her parishioners.

Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison holds professional certifications including Pastoral Care Certification from Yale University and is honored to currently serve on the Executive Board of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, Hamden Juvenile Review Board, and a Vice President of the CT State Missionary Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education.

Rev. Dr. Harris-Ellison is a Pastor, motivational speaker, teacher, life coach and power packed individual armed with a word of destiny for this era.