Dr. Owen C. Cardwell, Jr
Rev. Owen C. Cardwell, Jr., has been in the ministry for 45 years. Dr. Cardwell received a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, OH. His concentration is Ethical and Creative Leadership with a specialization in Martin Luther King studies. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg, VA, a Masters of Theology from Boston University, Boston, MA, a Masters of Education from Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA and in June, 1997 he received the honorary Doctorate in Sacred Literature from the Spirit of Truth Institute, Richmond Virginia Seminary. Dr. Cardwell has also completed course requirements for the Ph.D. in Counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. He is founder and pastor of the New Canaan International Church, Richmond, VA and Executive Director for Heroes and Dreams Academy, a youth & families services as a state-wide non-profit.
In April of 2006, New Canaan became a pilot site, working with the Virginia Department of Corrections, with a video-conferencing visitation program to maintain family connectivity for incarcerated families. Family members of inmates are able to visit their loved ones through video conferencing at the church without having to go to the prison facility. Over 650 inmates and almost 2000 family members have been served since April 15, 2006. In January 2010, this program was expanded to 10 prisons with visitor centers at Shiloh Baptist Church, Alexandria and Norfolk United Methodist Church. Rev. Cardwell contributed the chapter, “Theological Foundations for Family Connectivity” in “Ministry to Prisoners and Their Families published by Judson Press (2011). In 1994, Rev. Cardwell was selected to be a delegate for Opportunities Industrialization Centers, International at the African Leadership Summit in Dakar, Senegal. Additionally, Dr. Cardwell conducted Fatherhood Initiative training for Henrico County Department of Social Services, as well as conducting marriage workshops throughout the state of Virginia. Rev. Cardwell was appointed to the Virginia Re-Entry Policy Academy and has served as chairman for the Family and Community Reintegration subcommittee for the Richmond Regional Reentry Council. He also serves on the Committee for Joint Action and Advocacy for Peace and Justice with the National Council of Churches (NCC) representing the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC).