Staff & Leadership

Lori Banfield, Executive Director

Dr. Lori is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University (B.S., Psychology), Palmer Theological Seminary (Master of Theological Studies), and Eastern University (Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy). Outside of Executive Director duties at Redemption Housing, Dr. Lori serves as Lecturer of Psychology at Eastern University, Assistant Director of Instructional Design at Palmer Theological Seminary, and Mamher of Practical Theology at Meachum School of Haymanot. An avid researcher and all-around social justice advocate, she has authored many publications, including her own book, Walking Worthy of My Calling: Journey Back to the Likeness of God. Lori resides in West Philly with her husband, young son, and daughter, serves as Associate Elder at Word Formed Church, and endeavors to build atmosphere changers and restore sacred space within and beyond church, school, and prison walls.

Solomon Jefferson, Chaplain

Solomon is a graduate of Wilmington University in Georgetown, DE (B.S., Criminal Justice) and of Palmer Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He is married and has 5 children. He and his wife Jamila are members of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he serves with the prison ministry and the transportation ministry. Solomon enjoys ministering to people with addictions and the prison population, including being a pen pal to inmates in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Solomon is co-host along with his wife of the podcast “It’s Not How You Start But How You Finish.”

Francelia Arnold, Partner Liason

Dr. Francelia Arnold is a compassionate and dedicated servant-leader who serves with a deep commitment to her community and faith. She actively ministers at Word Formed Church in Drexel Hill, PA, where she contributes as a Minister, Youth Mentor, and Leader of the Impact Ministry. With a heart for people, Dr. Fran is keenly aware of the mandate she has received to spread the Gospel to all nations. Dr. Fran works diligently to uplift and empower underserved, disregarded, and disadvantaged communities. Through her work, she seeks to embody the Imago D.E.I. (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) by creating a lasting impact and fostering hope for the less fortunate.

Minister Lance Goodwin, Assistant Chaplain

Lance is a graduate of Morgan State University (B.A., History) and Relay Graduate School of Education (M.A.T). Professionally, Lance works as an administrator and teacher at a middle school in West Philly. He and his family are members of Word Formed Church where he serves as an associate minister and his pastor’s assistant.

Faithe Hornung, Volunteer Coordinator

Deacon Edward Patterson, Building Maintenance Coordinator

Deacon David Smith, Building Maintenance Coordinator

Lori Banfield, Executive Director

(See bio above in Staff section.)

Scott Buchanan, Chair of the Board

Scott is a graduate of Missio Seminary’s urban leadership program (M.Div.). In addition he holds a M.S. in pastoral counseling and a B.S. in biology. After living in West Philly for five years partnering with a local multiethnic church, he and his family moved to New Jersey, where Scott serves as an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly. Professionally, Scott works as a software engineering manager.

Tim Johnson

Tim is the controller of a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, having previously worked as the financial administrator of an elder law firm and as a public high school math teacher. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Eastern Mennonite University and a M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. Tim and his wife Carol are active members of West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship and participate as much as they can in the life of their neighborhood. They have two grown children.

Damone Jones

Dr. Damone Jones has served as Senior Pastor of the Bible Way Baptist Church in West Philadelphia for the last 30 years. He holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Bible & Leadership from Cairn University and a D.Min. from Palmer Theological Seminary. Dr. Jones has also served as a Member of the Board of Trustees and Adjunct Professor at Missio Seminary and as Adjunct Professor at Eastern School of Christian Ministry. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons where he runs The BrothaHood Foundation, a non profit basketball/mentoring Program for Youthful Offenders charged as adults. Dr. Jones was also recently appointed by Mayor Cherelle Parker to the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males.

Karol Mason

Karol is a graduate of Morgan State University (B.S., Telecommunications), Towson University (M.A., Communications), New York University (M.S., Grantmaking and Fundraising), and United Lutheran Seminary (M.Div.). She has served as a professional fundraiser, specializing in grant writing and corporate and foundation relations since 2003. Karol is a founding leader of the Restorative Beacon Collective (#RBC) and an associate minister at Grace Baptist Church of Germantown where she was licensed in March 2019.

David Smith

David S. Smith is an assistant professor at Eastern University’s College of Business and Leadership, with a focus on Business Technology. He is the founder of Cortez IT, a consulting firm specializing in IT strategy and governance, and he serves as Senior Pastor at Church of the Redeemer Baptist. Previously, David founded the nonprofit organization Winning Wealth Services that has provided financial literacy training to over 10,000 underserved people through partnerships with organizations like The Vanguard Group and Habitat for Humanities. David holds a MBA from Penn State and a M.Div. from Palmer Theological Seminary, and he is currently pursuing a D.Min. from Palmer.