Our TeaM
The National Network of Women Ministers Team is strategically located across the country to better represent
local Districts/Networks. Our goal is that women are holistically trained in every aspect of ministry to be
ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
meet the team
Melissa Alfaro
National Chair
Dr. Melissa Alfaro serves as the National Director of the Assemblies of God Network of Women Ministers—a professional organization mobilizing women to fulfill their ministry call.
Melissa and her husband of 20 years are Senior Pastors of The Tabernacle (known as Tab Church) in Houston, Texas. She is an ordained minister with the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District of the Assemblies of God. She is an Executive Presbyter representing ordained female ministers for the Assemblies of God. Prior to that, she served as the Ordained Under-40 Executive Presbyter (2017-2023). She is a preacher, educator, writer, and blogger and has had the privilege of collaborating with Influence Magazine and My Healthy Church.
Melissa received a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Texas Woman’s University and holds a M.A. in English from Texas Woman’s University, in addition to a B.S. in Biblical Studies from Southwestern A/G University.
Melissa loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog, Melissa’s Memoirs. It is her desire to help individuals have an intimate relationship with God, become rooted in His Word, and enjoy their journey as they live out their God-given purpose. Her greatest assignment and delight is being “mommy” to her beautiful children, J. David III, and Jalissa Jael.
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Susan Ross
Lead Network Specialist
Susan Ross has served as the North Carolina AG NWM Director, Southeast Region NWM Director, and North Carolina AG Superintendents wife. Upon the Spring 2024 appointment of her husband, Rick, to serve as the Assemblies of God General Treasurer, they have moved to Springfield, Missouri.
Susan was born in Springfield so the recent move is full circle after having served in ministry in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, California, Washington and North Carolina.
Susan was licensed in 1997 and ordained in 2017. She is an Evangel University graduate and holds the distinction of being the first female Baccalaureate speaker in the history of the university. She was also Homecoming Queen that same year. She went on to teach private voice, music fundamentals, and music history at Central Bible College before meeting Rick in Springfield.
Susan has taught private voice at several Christian universities, led choirs and orchestras, and helped build the Kingdom of God in the four churches they have pastored.
Married for 45 years with 2 children, Derrick (and Dana) and Karissa (and Seth), with 6 grandchildren. Madison, Kennedy, Lincoln, Reagan, McKinley, and Pierce. (Yes, they are named after some of our US Presidents)
Known by her smile, she takes a positive approach to the challenges that come across her daily path. She believes every day needs some laughter. She is an encourager, an avid listener and enjoys getting people connected with each other.
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Cynthia Gandhi DobbS
Leadership Development Specialist
Born twelve time zones away from her current home in Oklahoma, Cynthia shares an understanding and reliance on the Lord forged through unique experiences. Her incredible story weaves through a childhood growing up in India, losing her mother at a young age, life at boarding school, accompanying her father (a diplomat to the United Nations) on assignment to America, adjusting to the ‘Cowboy’ culture of Oklahoma, and graduate work in Biochemistry. Her story is the backdrop for the message of hope and encouragement she shares in a thought-provoking and relatable way.
Cynthia serves on the Oklahoma Network team as Director is the Network of Women Ministers, and is a US missionary on staff with Tulsa Chi Alpha. She often speaks at special events and conferences through engaging, informed, and inspirational messages. She provides training in areas of Prayer, Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Disciplines, Discipleship, and Leadership. Cynthia is the author of numerous devotional and ministry resources, perhaps most notably Ramen Noodles for the Collegiate Soul. She has contributed to the Bible Engagement Project’s adult curriculum. Her work has been featured in publications as varied as New York’s Voice of the Voiceless and Guideposts Magazine.
Cynthia was listed as one of the “20 Amazing Women Featured in Guideposts” along with luminaries like Dolly Parton, Serena Williams, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Douglas, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close, and Ginger Zee (to name a few) whose pictures also graced the cover.
In recent years, she has trained ministers through the Network of Women Ministers, Chi Alpha and other international ministry organizations. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of leaders, especially women.
She resides with her husband Destry and their son Obadiah in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They enjoy life with the students of Tulsa Chi Alpha over good coffee, great food, and board games.
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Nichole Schreiber
Specialized Ministries
Pastor Nichole Schreiber is the Lead Pastor at Erie First Assembly. She is passionate about the local church, unity in the body of Christ, and teaching the word of God with life-specific application. She loves to see people take the next step on their faith journey.
Nichole joined Erie First Assembly as Executive Pastor in October 2016, after previously serving on Erie First’s preaching team. She was named Lead Pastor by the Erie First congregation in February 2017. She previously served with her husband Joel in college ministry with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries for over 10 years. Joel currently directs the Edinboro University Chi Alpha and is the District Chi Alpha Director for Pennsylvania and Delaware.
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Nichole is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University in English Education. She then was ordained with the Assemblies of God. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters of Theology at the University of Valley Forge. She is also the Female Lead Pastor Facilitator for the Network of Women’s Ministers with the Assemblies of God.
Nichole is also a published writer and loves reading in her free time. Her family vacations in Myrtle Beach any chance they get. She and Joel are high school sweethearts and have three rambunctious, hilarious, lovely daughters: Cecily, Haley and Mercy.
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