About Candice Wynn
The Longer Story
Extended Bio
Rev. Candice Wynn is a native of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area, where she was educated in the public and Catholic School System. As a child, Candice aspired to be a pediatrician, so she could heal children, believing in her childhood exposure that only pediatricians did that. Yet, after a semester in a Psychology elective in high school, Candice’s exposure to the intricacies of “health” blossomed, expanding her understanding of what healing children might mean, beginning her journey to becoming a Child Psychologist.
Candice pursued higher education at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. During her time at FAMU, Candice distinguished herself as a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar, igniting a passion for exploring the intersection of religion and spirituality in the coping process of youth, ultimately leading to exploring a call to ministry.
Candice continued her education at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (2006 - 2009). During those years, Candice's commitment to healing children continued to evolve. Candice took on her first Youth Ministry role at Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church where she served as a Youth Ministry Assistant from 2006 – 2009.
Her time at Candler was marked by scholarly pursuits and transformative experiences exploring biblical history in the Middle East and studying traditional Ghanaian healing practices in Ghana, West Africa. She also served as a chaplain intern for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) (2008 – 2009), crediting her time there as what has enabled her to help support families through crises effectively today. She was also ordained an Itinerate Deacon in the AME Church in 2008 (Itinerate Elder ordination in 2010).
Towards the end of her Seminary years, Candice was invited to serve as the Children’s and Youth Minister at a church plant, Fellowship of Love Church (FOLC) in Fayetteville, Georgia. While there, Candice laid the foundation for and wrote a 5-Year Strategic Plan for the Children’s and Youth Ministry (2007 - 2009).
Upon graduating from Candler where she earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2009, Candice moved to Miami, Florida immersing herself in the intricacies of full-time youth ministry at Mt. Hermon AME Church. Candice quickly recognized her leadership gaps and sought opportunities to expand her knowledge, enrolling in Wesley Theological Seminary’s Lewis Center for Church Leadership Fellowship Program. Mid-fellowship, Candice married Maxim Wynn.
In 2012 Candice transitioned off the ministerial staff at Mt. Hermon and assisted in planting The Immanuel Temple AME Church (Miami Gardens, FL). While there, Candice laid the foundation for and wrote a 5-Year Strategic Plan for the Children’s and Youth Ministry. Because Immanuel Temple was a church plant, Candice shifted towards bivocational ministry and simultaneously led “Project Chance” a youth diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders funded through the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Justice System.
In 2013 Candice began a journey with Devos Urban Youth Workers Institute that would shape her approach to ministry and better equip her to minister to inner-city children, youth, and families (completed 2014). After serving at Immanuel Temple for three years, Candice and Max began feeling the weight of living so far from family with a young child.
In 2015, Candice and her family moved from South Florida to Atlanta, Georgia (Max’s childhood home). Candice began serving as the Youth Pastor at Impact United Methodist Church (East Point, Georgia). Her role eventually shifted to overseeing all grade levels and leading a team of five Next Gen Ministry staff where she observed God’s hand in many ministry firsts for the church. One first was leading the team in acquiring an Innovation in Youth Ministry Sub-grant from the Center for Youth Ministry Training. Another was leading the Next Gen team through developing a 3-Year Strategic Plan for the Ministry.
Today, Candice continues her impactful work as a Youth Ministry Coach and Consultant for Orange. Since 2019, she has trained, coached, and consulted Youth Pastors worldwide, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to nurture thriving youth ministries. In 2023, Candice became a Certified Youth Ministry Coach through the National Association of Youth Ministry Certification. At Orange, Candice also leads Orange’s Black Church engagement strategy, is a recurring guest on the Rethinking Youth Ministry Podcast, leads workshops at Orange Conference and Orange Tour, writes for Orange blogs, and is a trusted voice within the organization. She also leads a cohort of Black Church Ministry Leaders through a Leading Through Innovation in Youth Ministry Cohort funded by the Lilly Endowment’s Strengthening Congregational Ministry with Youth Initiative of Fuller Youth Institute.
This journey has equipped Candice to become a national voice in Youth Ministry, preaching at youth conferences and training Youth Leaders through “CW Coaching. Consulting. Speaking.”
Recognizing the need for something more for Next Gen Ministries within Black Churches, in 2023, Candice expanded her reach and influence by launching "BOON – The Black Next Gen Network," a pioneering endeavor aimed at empowering Black churches and leaders to cultivate thriving Children’s and Youth Ministries. BOON stands as the first national network of its kind, offering inclusive community, culturally responsive ministry strategies, and opportunities for amplified influence. Through BOON, Candice continues to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in Next Gen Ministry nationally. She hosts a monthly podcast “The BOON Podcast” where Black Next Gen Ministry thought leaders discuss Black Next Gen Ministry.
Candice’s life has been an ever-evolving journey that began with the childhood urge to “want to heal children.” From her early experiences as a research scholar to her current role as a trailblazer in Next Gen Ministry and entrepreneurship, she continues to remain faithful to the vision that inspired her through inspiring others to embrace their calling of lifelong Next Gen Ministry.
Candice loves all things urban and artsy and is married to Max, an Educator/Football Coach. They often spend their weekends working on an art project, talking about faith, engulfed in sports, or sneaking off for a date when they can find a sitter for their two children.