April Lewton

Rev. April Lewton is the Vice President of Development and Marketing at the NBA. Her work focuses on fostering and strengthening relationships among Disciples–congregations, lay leaders, clergy, volunteers–as well as sharing the stories of the impact of Disciples-related health and social service ministries. April oversees the development efforts including annual giving, major gifts, and NBA’s partnership with Disciples Mission Fund, the common mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She also supervises NBA’s marketing activities and communications. She welcomes every opportunity to share the story of the NBA and the important ministries of compassion and care.

During college, Rev. Lewton was one of the inaugural NBA Leadership Scholars. Through her early experiences with the NBA, she came to learn about the passion of faithful Disciples and their commitment to serving and compassionately caring and advocating for and with people in need.

Her work experience and service has centered around faith-related organizations. April has worked in fundraising and marketing for higher education theological institutions, advocacy and community organizing entities, and health and social welfare organizations.

Rev. Lewton earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Religious Studies from Chapman University in Orange, California, and her Master’s of Divinity from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Getting to know April

Why do you feel “called to care” about Disciples health and social service ministry?

Our mandate and mission to advocate for the well-being of all humanity means that our Disciples churches and communities are truly caring for all people especially through their health and social service outreach. We are “called to care” in that active, intentional, and healthy systems kind of way. At the end of the day, we seek to love, serve, and nurture true communities of justice and love.

Who is a hero of yours, and why?

The elders that have passed on yet whose spirit and legacy continue to influence me daily are major “heroes” for me. I lift up Aki, Martha, Uncle Roy, Manny, and Sister Hope.

If I tried to find you in a supermarket, what aisle would you be in?

I spend alot of time in the fresh fruits and vegetables section especially in the summer and autumn when there are so many tasty things in peak harvest.