Executive Director, International Health Commission
AME Church
The Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey was born with the expressed assignment to be in service to women. She began her professional career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she labored for twelve years providing primary healthcare to fragile neonates and their families. It was there that she felt the strong tugging of the Almighty to minister to women in their moments of deep sorrow and despair. She then moved on to practicing midwifery. As history and the word “midwife” exemplifies, she was truly “with women”. Midwives are called to nurture the mind, body and spirit approach to women’s healthcare. This requires an understanding of the history and vision for women’s health. As such, She cared for women from conception to childbirth, using these moments as a consummate example of God’s grace here in the earth. She is ever engaged in the fight to amplify the voices of those in the battle for reproductive and social justice inside and outside of the church.
Ever mindful of the thought that God rewards those who stands with and supports the needs of others, she perseveres daily to answer His call to serve. As her signature scripture support. “ And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” Exodus 1:21
She formally answered her call to preach in September of 2000. She attended the AME Ministerial Training Institute where she sat at the feet of those great AME preachers, learning the subtle nuances of shepherding God’s flock under the great tradition of African Methodism. She has attained both Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in Nursing, and a post-Master’s certificate in Midwifery, She also has a Masters of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. She has attained her Doctorate in Ministry, with a focus on The Black church, Social and Environmental Justice and Public Policy from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. She has presented extensively nationally and internationally on issues related to Black Women and Reproductive Healthcare in America.
Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey served for many years as the Minister to Youth at Union AME Church in Warwick NY. There she was instrumental in the continuation of the Rights of Passage Program and the initiation of Diakonos de Theos “Servants of God” Liturgical Dance Ministry. She has also served as the Minister to Women at St. Luke AME Church, Harlem, NY where her focus was the Mind, Body and Spirit approach to Christ. She has served at Mount Carmel AME church in New Rochelle, as Minister to Youth. On February 8th 2014, she was assigned to the pastoral charge of New Covenant AME Church in Tobyhanna PA. On June 17th 2017, She returned to the place of her ministerial roots to pastor Union AME church in Warwick, NY. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., and the Executive Director for the International Health Commission of the AME church. She is blessed to be able to integrate her calling to health care and ministry as the Senior Director for Faith Based Initiatives at NYC Health and Hospitals.