A native of Richmond, Virginia, the Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger (she/her) has spent much of her life immersed in the ministry that God continues to call her to in living a life of service to others. She earned her Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2021, and a Bachelors of Arts in Religion, Bachelors in Science in Sociology, and a Certificate in Christian Leadership from Shenandoah University in 2018.

Post-graduation, Jo Ann served in the local church as the Director of Student Ministries working alongside students in 7 th -12 th grade as they grew in their faith and connections with God, themselves, and each other. In addition to student ministries, she worked closely with community partners, working to bridge the church and the community in their shared work.

Passionate about working alongside people and building a more just and compassionate world for all of God’s beloved creation, Jo Ann was commissioned as a Deacon in the Virginia Annual Conference in June 2023 and most recently served as the Assistant Director of Missional and Community Engagement for the Virginia Annual Conference. Through the roles she’s held, Jo Ann has continued to live into her passion for connecting and being in intentional relationship with God, people, and their communities in ways that are sustainable and transformative.