Our Pastor

An author, teacher, and advocate for the soul, Dr. Lo uses her interdisciplinary expertise in psychology and practical theology to carry out the assignment God has given this community. 

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Rev. Dr. Lori (Dr. Lo) Banfield, great-granddaughter of Bishop Lena Thomas, was installed as Pastor of GOHPC, 3rd  in succession.  

With her husband, Deacon Adriel, and their two children by her side, upholding the mantle, she is poised and stirred by the Spirit to strategically steer this historic community into the future, one day at a time, one step at a time, one yes at a time.

Dr. Lo has a blossoming career in higher education as an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Undergraduate Psychology FLEX (online) degree program at Eastern University, and Mamher (Instructor) of Practical Theology at Meachum School of Haymanot. As a scholar she has served on the Editorial Review Board of Urban Ministries, Inc (UMI) and the Society of Gospel Haymanot (SGH) Journal, Locked In Solidarity committee of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), and she has authored the spiritual formation book "Walking Worthy of My Calling: Journey Back to the Likeness of God (2015)," many academic journal articles, like, "Fostering Spiritual Resilience in Formerly Incarcerated Persons of African American Descent (2018)", “The Heresy of Prosperity Gospel: Trading community for commerce (2022)” and a contributing author of multiple books, blogs, and magazines across the disciplines of psychology, theology, and social justice; most recently, “ Sawubona (I/We See You): Confronting the disenfranchised grief of justice-involved persons. In: E. Auguste's, “The Carceral State, Forensic Psychology, and Black Resistance (2025).”  

In all things, Dr. Lo endeavors to build atmosphere changers and restore sacred space within and beyond church, school, and prison walls for the glory of HIS name. She reminds us, "Though we are prone to wander, we have been called to walk; keep walking in peace and resurrection power.”