Our Ministers
Rev. Richard Maraj – Lead Minister
Rev. Maraj joined Unity of Phoenix in April 2005 as Minister of Education, and became our Lead Minister in 2006. Since his arrival here, Rev. Maraj’s contagious love and enthusiasm, dynamic lessons and powerful Sunday morning messages have continually inspired, energized, touched and transformed us. He is truly a blessing to our spiritual community!
Prior to joining Unity of Phoenix, Rev. Maraj served as Associate Minister in Raleigh, North Carolina for two years, and as Senior Minister at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, Missouri for five years. He has also been a wildly popular guest speaker at more than 50 Unity churches throughout Canada and the United States.
Prior to his ordination in 1998, Rev. Maraj was a professional speaker who addressed such groups as Xerox, The Royal Bank of Canada, Speedy Muffler King and The Cooperators Insurance. A long-time member of the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International, Richard was a finalist in Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speakers in Dallas in 1990. He has worked with a number of community service organizations and has been recognized for his service with several awards, including the Peter Street Inspiration Award and a Canada’s Literacy Volunteer Award.
The eighth of 10 children, Richard was born on the island of Trinidad and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He has a degree in Political Science from McMaster University and has a passion for learning. Richard enjoys a variety of activities, including live theatre, NBA basketball, being on the water, traveling, juggling and has even tried skydiving twice! His greatest joy, however, comes from just being with and enjoying the company of his wonderful family and friends.
Rev. Maraj feels blessed and excited about continuing to work with the incredible ministry team and serving the spiritual community at Unity of Phoenix.
Rev. Jimmie Scott – Pastoral Care Minister
The Reverend Jimmie L. Scott is a Unity minister who brings a diversity of experience and interests to his new position as Pastoral Care Minister for Unity of Phoenix.
Rev. Jimmie not only has a calm, loving and gentle presence that is exactly right for his role in Pastoral Care, but he also has a great sense of humor! And he already has an indirect personal tie to Unity of Phoenix: while serving on the Board of the Association of Unity Churches 10 years ago, it was Jimmie who actually ordained our own Rev. Richard Maraj!!!
Jimmie officially began his ministry at First Church Unity in Nashville, Tennessee, in February 1985, an Associate Minister with a base of 14 people and one 9 a.m. Sunday service. He was selected as First Church Unity’s Senior Minister in May of 1988. During his time as Senior Minister, Jimmie ministered to a rapidly growing congregation that today numbers over 450 persons.
From June 1997 to June 1998, he was Chairman of the Executive Board of the Association of Unity Churches International. From 2000 through 2003, Jimmie served as the Chaplain at Unity Institute and was on the Board of Directors of Renaissance West, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Renaissance West is an alcohol and drug treatment center for adults.
Reverend Scott’s secular interests have included services as vicechairman of C.O.P.E., an organization founded to provide training and job placement for the mentally and physically handicapped. He also served as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau’s Automobile Arbitration Program. He is a past advisor for Junior Achievement, counselor for abused and neglected children, and past chairman for the advisory board of Community Enhancement, an alcohol and drug abuse council for teens.
From May 2006 to July 2008 Jimmie served as Associate Minister at Unity Renaissance Church in Chesapeake, VA. He supervised the Finance Department, resided over the Chaplain Program and the Youth Education Department. Jimmie officially began his ministry at Unity of Phoenix as Pastoral Care Minister on August 1, 2008
Jimmie and his wife, Mary, have two adult children and two grandchildren.
Rev. Richard Rodgers – Wednesday Evening Service Minister
Rev. Richard Rogers is a gift and inspired teacher, coach and minister. Over the last 20 years he has been a spiritual teacher and leader to thousands of individuals, and has worked and studied with the great spiritual teachers of our time. Rogers is a powerful, dynamic and humorous speaker whose worship services are filled with love, laughter, music and inspirational messages of hope and spiritual insight. His Richard’s friendly, engaging style will delve right into your heart and soul … strengthening your connection to God, expanding your capacity to love, and broadening your outlook on the possibilities for your life.
Like all Unity of Phoenix worship services, Rev. Richard Rogers’ Wednesday Evening Service offers positive, practical, spiritual teachings that encourage spiritual growth and personal initiative. His messages will help you discover your spiritual purpose and potential, and feel good about yourself and your ability to make a difference in our world.