Pastor Rashion Santiago returns to Reading to reimagine church through community focus

Pastor Rashion Santiago, known to many as Pastor Woody, has returned to Reading, Pennsylvania, bringing a fresh vision for church that centers on community. Her journey began in Reading, where she grew up as a military child before her parents moved back to the city. She spent her early years in a predominantly white neighborhood before relocating with her mother to Glenside Homes, a more diverse area that shaped her understanding of community. There, she witnessed firsthand the power of neighbors supporting one another, a lesson that would later inform her ministry.

As a single parent, Santiago’s mother worked two jobs, often leaving her in the care of relatives. Her early exposure to church came through her aunt Betty and cousins Tasha and Thomas, who took her to Union Baptist Church. Despite often being sent to the adult class for misbehavior in Sunday School, these experiences deepened her spiritual awareness. She would walk home with her aunt, discussing the sermon and gaining a clearer understanding of the teachings she heard.

Santiago’s transition to Glenside Elementary was challenging, as she adjusted to a more diverse environment. While school came easily to her, she struggled to navigate the cultural differences among her peers. These early experiences of navigating different social groups laid the foundation for her later work in community building and outreach.

Her return to Reading marks a new chapter in her ministry, one that emphasizes practical service and connection. Santiago aims to reimagine the role of the church as a hub for community support, focusing on mercy work and neighbor-love. This approach aligns with the biblical call to care for the marginalized, as seen in Matthew 25:35, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of serving others.

Through her ministry, Santiago continues to draw from her roots, blending her personal history with a vision for a more inclusive and compassionate church. Her story reflects the value of community, a theme echoed in Galatians 6:10, which encourages believers to do good to all people and especially to those in the household of faith.

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