A woman, Mary Beth Abplanalp, Director of Connections at Ministry Architects, standing outside, smiling, in front of greenery.

Mary Beth Abplanalp


Director of Connections

marybeth.abplanalp@ministryarchitects.com
Mary Beth has always had a special place in her heart for young people and helping them find their identity in the Body of Christ. She started out teaching elementary special education before realizing her true calling to youth ministry. In 2011 she became the Children & Youth Minister at Christ Church Episcopal in Alexandria, VA where she first encountered Ministry Architects. She then served for seven years at St. James’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA as Director of Youth Ministry. Mary Beth graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a B.S. in Psychology and a M.S. in Elementary Education. Throughout her years in youth ministry, Mary Beth spent eleven summers working at and directing summer camps at Shrine Mont Camp and Conference Center of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.
As she served on non-profit boards, presented at conferences, and worked on church and summer camp staff, Mary Beth honed her relational gifts and discovered her passion for making new connections. She now devotes her time serving as a lead consultant and director of connections, helping Ministry Architects connect to and serve more churches in need of healthy systems and innovative change.
 
Mary Beth and her husband Chris share a love for the outdoors and are aspiring homesteaders who spend their free time playing in the backyard growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They live in Richmond, VA with their two sons, Andrew and Benjamin, and dog Bella.