Wayne Lavender

Wayne Lavender is a United Methodist pastor with a heart for orphans and vulnerable children. A native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, he earned his B.A. degree from Drew University, a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Art (Biblical Studies) from the Pacific School of Religion, and a Ph.D. from the School of Public Policy at George Mason University.

 Wayne is a member of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served as a pastor in four separate locations in Connecticut for a total of 21 years, earning the Harry Denman Evangelism Award in 2004 for his work at the New Milford United Methodist Church in New Milford, Ct. 

In addition to serving as a pastor, Wayne worked in the Kurdish Region of Iraq for 18 months as a visiting lecturer at the University of Human Development and consultant to the Kurdish Regional Government. He has also served as the executive director of the South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity affiliate, and as an adjunct faculty member at George Mason and Virginia Wesleyan Universities.  

Currently Wayne serves as the executive director of the Foundation 4 Orphans and professor at Quinnipiac University. 

The Foundation 4 Orphans is an IRS approved 501 c 3 non-profit organization whose mission statement is "We lift communities by service to orphans."

The father of four children, he lives close to nature with his wife Maureen in Hamden, Ct.