Engage Women’s Leadership Forum

Missie Branch

Assistant Dean of Students to Women, Director of Graduate Life, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Missie Branch is the Asst. Dean of Students to Women and the Director of Graduate Life at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) serving women in both the college and the seminary. She is the wife of Duce Branch, a CHH pioneer also known as The Ambassador who is a PhD student and Assistant Professor at SEBTS. Several years ago, Duce and Missie co-planted a church in Philadelphia, PA where she served as a pastor’s wife, a children’s ministry director, and a women’s ministry leader. Missie is passionate about ministry to women and speaks at various conferences and ministry events to train, encourage, equip, and refresh others. Missie has been a mentor to many ladies and is currently serving alongside her family at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC.

Lesley Hildreth

Women’s Discipleship Director, The Summit Church

Lesley Hildreth is the Women’s Discipleship Director for the Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. She is responsible for the discipleship of over 6,000 women spread over ten campuses and spends the majority of her time developing and equipping leaders who share the task of making disciples. Before this role, Lesley was the Assistant Director of Women’s Life at Southeastern Seminary where she received her MA in Christian Studies. She also served eight years with her family with the International Mission Board in Western Europe and Central Asia. She has a passion to see all women participating in God’s mission, using their gifts to serve the church, further his kingdom, and bring God glory. She has been married for almost 30 years and has two adult children, and two grandsons.