T H E   C R O S S

A Church where Everybody is Somebody and Christ is Lord of All.








Reverend Robyn M. Anderson is an ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. She currently serves as Pastor of the Cross Street AME Zion Church in Middletown, CT. She is also the Executive Director for the Ministerial Health Fellowship Advocacy Coalition encompassing for the State of Connecticut, and served as an Associate Minister at Cross Street for over 15 years. In the ministry at Cross Street, Robyn had Pastoral Oversight of Administration, Christian Education, Women’s Ministry, Family Life and Education; and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Cross Street Training and Academic Center. Pastor Anderson served as the Former Coordinator for the Hartford District of the New England Conference Balm of Gilead Ministry. She serves for as the New England Conference Christian Education Director. Pastor Anderson currently serves as the Chairperson for the AME Zion Christian Education Department of The Commission on Family Life and serves as Assistant Conference Director of the New England Conference Christian Education Department. Pastor Anderson serves as the church liaison for the Yale Imani Breakthrough Project which provides intervention groups. Pastor Anderson serves on the CT Health Foundation Advisory Board, Middletown Public Advisory Board, the Anti-racism Board, United Way of Middlesex County Board of Directors and Keep the Promise Advisory Board. Pastor Anderson serves as the Church Liaison for the Yale Imani Breakthrough project that provides Intervention Groups, Medical Addiction Treatment and Coaching for four African American and Latin X churches in Connecticut, two churches in New Orleans and Rhode Island. Prior to relocating back to Connecticut, Pastor Anderson served in the ministry at Covenant Baptist Church in Washington, DC for over sixteen years.

Pastor Anderson has a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Urban Ministry from the Boston Campus of Gordon Conwell Theological Institute. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Bachelor Degrees in Computer Science and Counseling, and an Associate Degree in Information Systems. She is a graduate of Middlesex Theology and Technical Institute, FaithWorks Leadership Institute, Connecticut Health Foundation’s Academy for Health Equity Advocacy & Leadership (AHEAL), Saint Francis Clinical Pastoral Counseling Program, and Hartford Seminary Women’s Leadership Program. She has a Graduate Certificate in Spirituality from Hartford Seminary.

Pastor Anderson is the Executive Director for the Ministerial Health Fellowship (MHF), a faith-based health care advocacy network of Black pastors and church leaders primarily focused on the State of Connecticut. MHF’s mission is to build knowledge of health care issues, advocate for health equity, and forge connections with health care providers and public officials in order to reduce health disparities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals. Over the past several years, MHF has been dedicated to highlighting health disparities, advocating for meaningful advancement in health equity, and implementing critical community-based health programs. From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, MHF has taken a  leadership role in rapid response COVID-19 programs for BIPOC communities. All of MHF’s initiatives have been founded in the trusted messenger model of transparency, tailored messaging, connection and collective action. In the role of Executive Director, Pastor Anderson has extensive experience in grant management, program development, implementation and sustainability as well as health care advocacy for key initiatives and programs that improve access to quality health care.

Pastor Anderson has over thirty-five years of experience in the Human Services field. She most recently served as the Program Director for the Multidimensional Family Therapy, Training, Consultation and Quality Assurance Program for the State of Connecticut at Advanced Behavioral Health, Inc. 

Pastor Anderson has over thirty years of experience working with adults and adolescents who have co-occurring disorders. She has managed and directed Inpatient and Outpatient Substance Abuse Programs for adults and adolescents. Pastor Anderson has and continues to provide Clinical Consultation to state programs, community-based substance abuse treatment programs and the faith-based community in the Hartford and Washington, DC areas. She is a facilitator for the Saint Francis Pastoral Counseling Program and has served as an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer for universities and community colleges. Pastor Anderson served as a Cultural Ambassador at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, a Church Liaison for the Imani Breakthrough Project, and as a Member of the Universal Health Interfaith Council. Pastor Anderson has authored many articles and publications that have been published in Psychology Journals. As a change agent for the Human Services field, Pastor Anderson is a strong advocate for HIV / STD Education & Treatment along with culturally competent, innovative, trauma sensitive, gender specific, family driven quality services for families throughout the Diaspora.

Pastor Anderson is a National Trainer for Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Pastor Anderson has served and still serves on many civic and community boards. She is an author and has received many community service leadership awards. 

Pastor Anderson loves the Lord and God’s Church! Her favorite scripture is: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV).

Pastor Anderson is a member of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. Pastor Anderson has a blended family and is the proud mother of 5 children and 10 grandchildren.