Faculty

Rev. Dr. Angelo Pizelo
Rev. Dr. Angelo is a Professional Educator. He is Superintendent Emeritus of the Bass Lake Joint Union School District. His academic degrees are: BA, MA, PhD in school administration. His Religious degree is RsD Doctor of Religious Studies. Angelo is a Marine Corps Veteran.

Angelo became a Religious Science Minister through Religious Science International. He is Founder of the Positive Living Center of Central California, Inc., and Founder of the Emerson Theological Institute.

He is currently the President of Emerson Institute and Director of the Positive Living Center of Central California, Inc. He received additional training through California School Leadership Academy. He has been awarded Gonzaga University’s Distinguished Alumni award. He is married to Rev. Dr. Stella Pizelo and they have two children, Anna Pizelo and Nicole Jones.

Rev. Dr. Stella Pizelo
Stella has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters Degree from Fresno State University. She has a Standard Elementary Teaching Credential, a Special Education Teaching Credential, and an Administrative Services Credential. Stella got her Doctorate from Emerson Institute and became an ordained New Thought Minister in 1992.

She enjoys a career in education that has included being a teacher, principal, superintendent and Director of Curriculum and Instruction for County District public schools. She is currently the Senior Minister/Program Administrator for Emerson New Thought Center. She teaches classes and writes curriculum for Emerson Institute. She has organized travel study classes to Hawaii, Ireland, Scotland, England, France and Italy. She frequently officiates weddings in the Oakhurst/Bass Lake/Yosemite area.

Stella believes in community service and currently is on the Board of Trustees for Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District, is President of Sierra Lions Club, and is the Historian for the Manzanita Garden Club.

Rev. Dr. John Karn
Dr. John is a licensed and Ordained minister since 2015 with a Doctorate of Divinity and a Doctorate in Religious Studies. He’s a certified hospice chaplain and religious science practitioner as well. He’s also an Animal Chaplain and serves a large rescue group. He is on the faculty of the Emerson Theological Institute for online and in-person classes since 2014. He’s been serving the homeless since 2017 with hot meals and clothing.  

Dr. John is on the Emerson Theological Institute’s board and serves as Chair for the Department of Humane Religious Studies. He is also the Administrator of the Affiliated New Thought Network. 

Rev. Dr. Robert Hand
Bob Hand has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from CSU Fresno and a doctorate in R.S. from Emerson Theological Institute. He is the V.P. of the Institute, and is also an ordained minister at the Central CA PLC, and author of Visitors, a short novel exploring our spiritual journeys. Bob is the Executive Director of Resources for Independence Central Valley, a nonprofit corporation serving people with disabilities.He has been an E.D. of nonprofits for over 35 years. Hand is also Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council, and of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. He was the founding Chair of the City of Fresno Disability Advisory Council, and Vice-Chair of the Whitney Foundation board of directors.

Bob Hand has taught non-profit management at the graduate level at CSU Fresno, and does consulting to nonprofit management staff and boards of directors. He is the author of the board manual “Leading Community Benefit Organizations”, and co-author and facilitator of “Leaders without Limits” and the “California Independent Living Peer Review System”.

Dr. Rev. Laurie B. Ballard, Office Manager, Teacher, Spiritual Advisor
An Emerson graduate, Laurie has been involved in New Thought, Science of Mind and Religious Science for over 20 years. Laurie is also a professional musician, singer-songwriter and performs monthly at the Positive Living Center in Oakhurst, CA.
Email address: Lauriebballard@gmail.com

Rev. Dr. Melissa Higginbotham
Melissa earned a B.A. in Music from California State University, Fresno, and an M.S. in Logistics from the USAF Institute of Technology. She received her Doctorate in Spiritual Studies and Doctorate in Religious Studies from Emerson Institute and Doctor of Divinity from the American Institute of Holistic Theology. She is an ordained Religious Science and Interfaith Minister and a member of the Affiliated New Thought Network. Melissa is Emerson Institute’s Director for Educational Services, teaches and develops curricula for Emerson Institute, and edits the Emerson New Thought Center newsletter. Melissa is an Air Force Veteran.

Melissa authored a book on sound healing and consciousness, “Voicing the Sound Eternal: Transformational Power of Sound and Consciousness.” She belongs to the Sound Healers Association and is a labyrinth facilitator, a certified colorpuncture practitioner, and Reiki Master. She has taught workshops on vibration and consciousness in Ireland, Netherlands, Peru, Canada, U.S.A., and Spain. 

Rev. Dr. Neil A. Mence
Neil is an internationally-known author, speaker, teacher and mentor. His best-selling books include SUCCESSFUL LIVING, NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE and THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD.

Born in New Zealand, Neil lived in Canada for many years before moving to Europe in 2003. He has studied at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, and City University, London, England.
Combining more than 30 years’ experience in the corporate world and new thought arenas of North America, Australia and Europe, he offers unique personal development and life-changing master classes to assist individuals and companies find their path, refocus priorities, and to transform, grow and realise their dreams.

“To me, life is all about going beyond limits, following your bliss, and achieving goals. I love helping people realise their true potential and to understand that happiness is not something out there to be achieved, but an inner flame just waiting to be realised”.
Websites: www.neilmence.com; www.scienceofmindlondon.net

Rev. Terry zumMallen
Rev. Terry zumMallen is an ordained minister of Religious Science and a graduate of the Emerson Theological Institute. She has a B.A. in education, a master’s degree in Religious Studies and graduate training in both education and counseling.

She has an extensive training in Destination Method spiritual NLP, Pre-Cognitive Re-Education intuitive healing and was trained at the Oneness University in Chennai, India to facilitate energizing and raising consciousness through the Oneness Blessing or “Deeksha”. Terry has spent many years as a teacher of practical spirituality and applied metaphysics. Her work with Awakening the Divine Feminine has enabled many women to heal the spiritual scars of their past and come into a new relationship with the Divine.

Rev. Dr. Frank zumMallen
Rev. Dr. Frank zumMallen is an ordained minister of Religious Science and a graduate of the Emerson Theological Institute. He has a B.A. and M.S. in education and doctorates in Divinity and Religious Studies. He is a student of Transpersonal Psychology, as well as both eastern and western mysticism.

He has spent many years as a teacher of practical spirituality and applied metaphysics. In addition, he has trained as a Pre-Cognitive Re-education intuitive healing facilitator and is a Real Love Professional relationship coach helping couples and individuals to bring Divine Love to all their relationships. Frank is the past president of the Affiliated New Thought Network (ANTN) and a member of the advisory Council of the Association for Global New Thought (AGNT)

Rev. Dr. April Moncrieff

Rev. Dr. April Moncrieff is an author, teacher, counselor and lifelong student of metaphysical spirituality. An ordained International New Thought Alliance Minister, she has a diploma in Advanced Studies from Unity School of Christianity’s Continuing Education Program and holds Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Religious Studies from Emerson Theological Institute. 

A member of the Emerson faculty, Dr. Moncrieff teaches three classes in the Distance Learning Program, including one course based on her book, The Principles of New Thought, published by DeVorss & Company, 2013.

In addition to authoring numerous articles, she has taught classes, conducted meditation groups, and given talks on a variety of metaphysical subjects to local spiritual groups for many years. She has published poetry in Unity magazine, and writes children’s fiction with New Thought themes. Rev. Moncrieff is also a graduate of Connecticut College with a B.A. in English. She enjoys reading, travel, antiques, vegetarian cooking, word games, and yoga.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Albert

Rev. Dr. Stephen Albert is the co-minister with his wife Rev. Dr. Abigail of the All Faith Center in Poway California.  He is a founding member of the Poway Interfaith team and its 2006 & 2012 President.  Dr. Steve teaches Comparative Religion classes at the University of Phoenix and is the author of 15 books including The Interfaith Manual, The Interfaith Workbook and the novel Infinite Possibilities.  He holds 4 college degrees and he participated in the creation and coordination of the New Thought conference booth at the Parliament of World Religions in Melbourne, Australia in December 2009; he was also a facilitator at the Awakened World 2012 Dialogues in Rome and Florence, Italy in 2012.  Steve is a stroke and open-heart surgery survivor and during his recovery from open heart surgery in early 2012, he created the concept of  ‘New Thought Day’ which has become the first yearly holiday to bring together all New Thought organizations around the world.

Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert

Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert is a New Thought and Interfaith Minister and a retired elementary educator. She has a BA from National Lewis University; an Interfaith Credential, Master of Inter-Religious Studies and Doctor of Religious Studies from Emerson Theological Institute.  She is Co-Minister & Co-Founder of the All Faith Center, the Executive Director of Poway Interfaith Team, and Vice- President of the Affiliated New Thought Network.  Abigail is also on the Advisory Council for the Association for Global New Thought. Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert was a planner/ facilitator for the 2012 Awakened World Conference  in Italy and was a Panel presenter at the Parliament of World Religions, Melbourne, Australia in 2009 and Workshop presenter for the North American Interfaith Network, Unity Village, Kansas in 2009.  Dr. Abigail is an “Ambassador For Peace” given by the United Peace Federation and the received the “Human Excellence Award” from the Interfaith Alliance in San Diego.  In 2011 she received the Prime Poway Women Certificate of Appreciation.  She is the author of the book, Empowered Women of Faith and co-author with her husband Steve of the Interfaith Workbook.

Rev. Dr. Carol Wells Lawson
Rev. Dr. Carol Wells Lawson is the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Center for Conscious Living, Moorestown, NJ, where she delights in anchoring a resonant field of love, empowering individuals and knowing the Truth of Oneness for all. Dr. Carol serves as President of the Affiliated New Thought Network, is on the faculty of Emerson Theological Institute, and is on the Advisory Council of Association of Global New Thought.  She holds a Doctor of Divinity from Emerson Theological Institute, and a Master of Science from the University of Southern California.  She is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and taught in high school, a store-front school, and at Cal State University at LA before becoming ordained as a Religious Science Minister. Dr Carol is a dynamic, insightful and inspiring teacher who has inspired and mentored many other New Thought ministries.  She is also an awakened Oneness Blessing giver.  Jean Houston calls Carol “a luminous lady of spirit, a true wise woman for our times.”

Rev. Dr. Martha Creek

As a speaker, minister, leader, coach, consultant, facilitator, Martha Creek is often described as having a spirit of innocence, playfulness, compassion and generosity. Her accomplishments include: bachelor degrees in Accounting, Human Resources, and Organizational Management: a graduate degree from Emerson Theological Institute. She has also attended; Hoffman Institute, Byron Katie International School, Healthy Congregations and Family Systems, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Meditation Skills and Conflict Resolution program, Transcendental Meditation, Reiki, and more.  In addition, Martha has served in a ministerial role in both Religious Science and Unity Churches.

Dr. James J. Mellon
Dr. James J. Mellon received his Doctorate in Consciousness Studies from the Emerson Theological Institute and is an ordained Religious Science Minister with over 18 years of service to his Spiritual Community. He lives in Los Angeles and is the Founding Spiritual Director of Global Truth Center LA, a spiritual community of love and unconditional acceptance. Combining the arts with spirituality is Dr. James’ primary focus and his personal vision of “Enlightenment Through Entertainment” inspires his ministry. 

Prior to becoming a minister, Dr. James had a successful career in the entertainment industry, which included Broadway, television, music and film. He played Riff in the Jerome Robbins revival of “West Side Story,” and toured the country as Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar” before turning his attention to directing and writing. He has written for television, film and has had three original musicals published for which he has written the book, music and lyrics. His first book, “Mental Muscle, 16-Weeks of Spiritual Boot Camp” has gone through three printings and is being used by many centers and workshops around the world.  His prosperity program, “Core Prosperity Relief” (CPR) has attracted thousands of participants for each 30-day workshop. His new book, THE FIVE QUESTIONS has just been completed and will be published in 2021.  

Dr. James and his husband, Broadway producer & actor Kevin Bailey, have been together for over 30 years. Their son William is attending Texas State University majoring in directing and screenwriting. Their daughter Nora, Will’s twin sister, made her transition in 2018 and continues providing the family with her love, light, and guidance.

“My Global Intention is to empower people to know that they can have it all, not because of what they do, but because of who they are.”— Dr. James Mellon

You can find more information about his spiritual work at www.globaltruthcenter.org or at www.jamesmellon.org

Nicole Jones, MA
Nicole earned her Master’s degree from Emerson Institute in Studies in Consciousness. After working in business development for major media (CNN), she went on to become a #1 Amazon bestselling author of more than ten novels. Additionally, she writes curriculum for Emerson Institute and enjoys partnering with philanthropic organizations such as Anonymous Good.