MEET OUR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Sonja R. Dawson
2 Cor 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
The Reverend Dr. Sonja R. Dawson is a dynamic pastor, civic leader, and national voice at the intersection of faith, justice, and transformative leadership. A native of Compton, California, Dr. Dawson currently serves as Senior Pastor of the historic New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA, a congregation co-founded by her parents, the late Reverend Dr. Lonnie Dawson and First Lady Emeritus Mamie P. Dawson, and rooted in more than sixty years of community impact.
As a trailblazing woman pastor, Dr. Dawson leads with prophetic clarity, executive skill, and deep theological grounding. Her ministry bridges the pulpit and the public square, engaging issues of faith, equity, leadership development, and restorative justice. Her preaching and teaching—both nationally and internationally—are known for their biblical depth, practical application, and ability to unite diverse audiences around hope, purpose, and action.
Dr. Dawson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sisters in Ministry, Inc., a national network established in 2004 to support, develop, and empower women clergy. What began with five women has grown to more than 500 supporters, offering worship gatherings, leadership training, conferences, prayer breakfasts, and community revivals. The organization advances a three-fold mission: fostering sisterhood among women clergy, promoting excellence in ministry, and encouraging surrendered service to the Body of Christ.
A respected thought leader and scholar-practitioner, Dr. Dawson serves as a Board Member and Lecturer with the Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, contributing to national conversations on Black church leadership, pastoral formation, and the future of ministry in changing cultural landscapes.
Bi-vocational by calling and conviction, Dr. Dawson is also a retired prosecutor and public servant. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law, with additional theological studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, the Southern California School of Ministry, and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a member of both the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California, and she enjoyed a rewarding career with the City of Los Angeles.
Through her civic work, Dr. Dawson founded the City of Los Angeles Prostitution Diversion Program, a restorative justice initiative for first-time offenders that focuses on education and rehabilitation instead of jail time. This successful program has been adopted in cities across the country, changing thousands of lives. In recognition of her legal accomplishments, she was sworn in at the United States Supreme Court in 2009.
Dr. Dawson's leadership extends to major civic and service organizations. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has served on the Los Angeles Board of the United Negro College Fund, and is a graduate of the USC Passing the Mantle Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute.
Grounded in 2 Corinthians 4:7, Dr. Dawson's life and leadership reflect a steadfast belief that transformative power flows through surrendered vessels. She continues to serve across denominational, professional, and international platforms, advancing justice, spiritual formation, and community renewal. Dr. Dawson serves alongside her family and gives all glory and honor to God for the work entrusted to her for the building of God's kingdom.
The Reverend Dr. Sonja R. Dawson is a dynamic pastor, civic leader, and national voice at the intersection of faith, justice, and transformative leadership. A native of Compton, California, Dr. Dawson currently serves as Senior Pastor of the historic New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA, a congregation co-founded by her parents, the late Reverend Dr. Lonnie Dawson and First Lady Emeritus Mamie P. Dawson, and rooted in more than sixty years of community impact.
As a trailblazing woman pastor, Dr. Dawson leads with prophetic clarity, executive skill, and deep theological grounding. Her ministry bridges the pulpit and the public square, engaging issues of faith, equity, leadership development, and restorative justice. Her preaching and teaching—both nationally and internationally—are known for their biblical depth, practical application, and ability to unite diverse audiences around hope, purpose, and action.
Dr. Dawson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sisters in Ministry, Inc., a national network established in 2004 to support, develop, and empower women clergy. What began with five women has grown to more than 500 supporters, offering worship gatherings, leadership training, conferences, prayer breakfasts, and community revivals. The organization advances a three-fold mission: fostering sisterhood among women clergy, promoting excellence in ministry, and encouraging surrendered service to the Body of Christ.
A respected thought leader and scholar-practitioner, Dr. Dawson serves as a Board Member and Lecturer with the Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, contributing to national conversations on Black church leadership, pastoral formation, and the future of ministry in changing cultural landscapes.
Bi-vocational by calling and conviction, Dr. Dawson is also a retired prosecutor and public servant. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law, with additional theological studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, the Southern California School of Ministry, and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a member of both the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California, and she enjoyed a rewarding career with the City of Los Angeles.
Through her civic work, Dr. Dawson founded the City of Los Angeles Prostitution Diversion Program, a restorative justice initiative for first-time offenders that focuses on education and rehabilitation instead of jail time. This successful program has been adopted in cities across the country, changing thousands of lives. In recognition of her legal accomplishments, she was sworn in at the United States Supreme Court in 2009.
Dr. Dawson's leadership extends to major civic and service organizations. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has served on the Los Angeles Board of the United Negro College Fund, and is a graduate of the USC Passing the Mantle Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute.
Grounded in 2 Corinthians 4:7, Dr. Dawson's life and leadership reflect a steadfast belief that transformative power flows through surrendered vessels. She continues to serve across denominational, professional, and international platforms, advancing justice, spiritual formation, and community renewal. Dr. Dawson serves alongside her family and gives all glory and honor to God for the work entrusted to her for the building of God's kingdom.