Jean White

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Rev. Elder Jean White is the longest serving non-American Pastor within the Metropolitan Community Church and was the first non-American elected to the denomination's Board of Elders.

Having Pastored the original (and now defunct) Metropolitan Community Church of London for many years and using her missionary experience while working as the Director of World Church Extension of the denomination, Rev White now pastors Metropolitan Community Church in South London.

Rev White was originally raised as a member of the Brethren Church which did not permit women in active ministry except as missionaries. As she felt called to ministry, Jean served for many years in Macau and China as a missionary working as a nurse and a midwife, finally being arrested and imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution with some other missionaries. During her time in prison she suffered horrific abuse.

On her return to the United Kingdom after her eventual release she came out as a lesbian and became involved with a group of gay Christians who would eventually join the newly emerging Metropolitan Community Church movement.

Rev White lives in Brixton with her partner Mary Smail and their pet dog.