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Be Seen
Bring the questions, the hope, the frustration, and the uncertainty. You do not have to arrive with everything figured out.
Meet Rev. Dr. Lael C. Melville
The Voice Behind the Resources.
The biblical teaching, encouragement, mentorship, and resources offered through While You Wait Ministries are shaped by the faith, scholarship, leadership experience, and lived experience of Rev. Dr. Lael C. Melville.
Ministry Leader • Teacher • Speaker • Mentor
Faith, scholarship, leadership, and lived experience come together here.
Rev. Dr. Lael C. Melville is the Founder and CEO of While You Wait Ministries, a Christ-centered ministry helping women navigate seasons of waiting, uncertainty, transition, and delay through biblical teaching, prayer, practical resources, mentorship, events, and authentic community.
Dr. Melville is a ministry leader, teacher, speaker, and mentor whose professional and community leadership experience spans theology, psychology, education, philanthropy, nonprofit governance, healthcare, and community service.
She earned a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. She also earned a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Rutgers University.
In 2018, she co-founded the Melville Family Foundation with her husband, Randolph W. Melville. The foundation advances work in academic success, food security, economic opportunity, and community well-being.
“I’m dedicated to creating lasting change through strategic
philanthropy, education advocacy, and community engagement.”
Education and Leadership Experience
The resources of While You Wait Ministries are informed by Dr. Melville’s theological education, training in psychology, executive leadership experience, ministry, and years of service with nonprofit and community organizations.
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Theology & Ministry
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min., 2021) and Master of Divinity (M.Div., 2016) from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology.
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Psychology
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Rutgers University, complementing her ministry work with formal training in psychology and human behavior.
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Executive & Community Leadership
Leadership and governance experience across education, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, food access, healthcare, and community development.
Selected Board & Advisory Service
Leadership Beyond While You Wait Ministries
Dr. Melville’s public board and advisory service includes organizations working in education, philanthropy, food security, youth development, theology, healthcare, and community impact.
Uplift Education
Board Trustee and former Board Chair
Board Trustee and former Board Chair
The Dallas Foundation
Member, Board of Governors
Member, Board of Governors
North Texas Food Bank
Board service supporting food access and hunger-relief efforts
Board service supporting food access and hunger-relief efforts
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Board Member-at-Large
Board Member-at-Large
Melville Family Foundation
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
SMU Perkins School of Theology
Alumna, Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity
Alumna, Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Advisory service
Advisory service
Women’s Philanthropy Institute
Philanthropic leadership and service
Philanthropic leadership and service
Thoughtful Faith. Informed Guidance. Real-World Experience.
While You Wait Ministries creates Christ-centered resources for women navigating seasons of waiting, uncertainty, transition, and delay. Its teaching and resources are shaped by Scripture, theological study, leadership experience, psychology, mentorship, and Dr. Melville’s long-standing commitment to serving people and communities with wisdom, faith, and purpose.
