First Lady Gwendolyn Relf
Wife, Mother, Social Entrepreneur, CEO, and Evangelist-Missionary (Church of God in Christ organization).
Gwendolyn Relf is a dedicated community leader, minister, and nonprofit executive with over 35 years of experience in community development and faith-based service.
As First Lady and Director of Women's Ministry at Rehoboth Saints Center, Gwen serves alongside her husband, Pastor Wesley Relf. She also serves as District Missionary for the Agape Fellowship District within the Arizona Jurisdictional Churches of God in Christ. She models the Proverbs 31 woman in character, service, and family life, always seeking to walk faithfully in love and follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Her love for the gospel of Christ propels her to minister within and outside of the walls of the church.
In 2004, Gwen founded Daughters of Destiny Ministry and PEACE – classes for teenage mothers and youth aging out of foster care that provided mentoring and taught self-sufficiency, independent living skills, and personal and career development. This was the launching pad for the next 22 years. Gwen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rehoboth Community Development Corporation, a faith-based nonprofit focused on creating equitable, healthy, and sustainable communities in Urban Phoenix and Canyon Corridor Neighborhoods. Rehoboth CDC aims to build intergenerational prosperity and improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income residents. Rehoboth CDC offers a plethora of services to the community, including finance, homeownership, starting a business, eliminating senior isolation, free tax preparation, and health and wellness programs, with more to come.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Occidental College and additional coursework towards a Master's Degree and Certification in Nonprofit Leadership Management at Arizona State University.
Gwen's community involvement is extensive. Being aware of the ongoing need for community improvement, she initiated the 27th Ave Collab group encompassing businesses and organizations to improve the quality of life, business, and education on 27th Ave near Camelback. She chairs the Canyon Corridor Neighborhood Alliance and serves on the Phoenix Community Development Investment Corp. board. Previously, she was appointed to various advisory boards, including the West Phoenix Revitalization Community Advisory Board, JP Morgan Chase National Community Advisory Board, and as Co-Chair of Phoenix’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee (appointed by former mayor, now Congressman Greg Stanton) all of which she continues to serve and support. In March 2024, she was chosen and appointed to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging.
Her accomplishments include co-developing Rehoboth Place, a $7.3 million 47-unit affordable housing complex, and more recently, Rehoboth Place II, a $21 million 66-unit complex which opened in January 2024. Current projects include Harmony 35, a $4 million, 8-unit townhome development.
Gwen and Wesley have been married for 43 years, with four children and seven grandchildren. Before her nonprofit career, Gwen worked as an Office/HR Manager for Cintas First Aid & Safety in Tempe, AZ.
As First Lady and Director of Women's Ministry at Rehoboth Saints Center, Gwen serves alongside her husband, Pastor Wesley Relf. She also serves as District Missionary for the Agape Fellowship District within the Arizona Jurisdictional Churches of God in Christ. She models the Proverbs 31 woman in character, service, and family life, always seeking to walk faithfully in love and follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Her love for the gospel of Christ propels her to minister within and outside of the walls of the church.
In 2004, Gwen founded Daughters of Destiny Ministry and PEACE – classes for teenage mothers and youth aging out of foster care that provided mentoring and taught self-sufficiency, independent living skills, and personal and career development. This was the launching pad for the next 22 years. Gwen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rehoboth Community Development Corporation, a faith-based nonprofit focused on creating equitable, healthy, and sustainable communities in Urban Phoenix and Canyon Corridor Neighborhoods. Rehoboth CDC aims to build intergenerational prosperity and improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income residents. Rehoboth CDC offers a plethora of services to the community, including finance, homeownership, starting a business, eliminating senior isolation, free tax preparation, and health and wellness programs, with more to come.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Occidental College and additional coursework towards a Master's Degree and Certification in Nonprofit Leadership Management at Arizona State University.
Gwen's community involvement is extensive. Being aware of the ongoing need for community improvement, she initiated the 27th Ave Collab group encompassing businesses and organizations to improve the quality of life, business, and education on 27th Ave near Camelback. She chairs the Canyon Corridor Neighborhood Alliance and serves on the Phoenix Community Development Investment Corp. board. Previously, she was appointed to various advisory boards, including the West Phoenix Revitalization Community Advisory Board, JP Morgan Chase National Community Advisory Board, and as Co-Chair of Phoenix’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee (appointed by former mayor, now Congressman Greg Stanton) all of which she continues to serve and support. In March 2024, she was chosen and appointed to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging.
Her accomplishments include co-developing Rehoboth Place, a $7.3 million 47-unit affordable housing complex, and more recently, Rehoboth Place II, a $21 million 66-unit complex which opened in January 2024. Current projects include Harmony 35, a $4 million, 8-unit townhome development.
Gwen and Wesley have been married for 43 years, with four children and seven grandchildren. Before her nonprofit career, Gwen worked as an Office/HR Manager for Cintas First Aid & Safety in Tempe, AZ.
