Before Pinnacle was a consulting firm, it was a lived experience. Every person on our team has sat in a church board meeting, navigated a congregational transition, wrestled with a facility decision, or led a congregation through a financial decision. We don’t study congregations from the outside, we've been part of them for decades.
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Derek Henson Founder | Lead Consultant
Derek Henson founded Pinnacle Services and leads the firm's work with mainline Protestant congregations. He brings twenty years of experience serving churches as minister, staff member, and lay leader across traditions from Pentecostal to mainline Protestant. That cross-denominational journey gives him insight into how different churches approach stewardship, governance, and change, and why consulting needs to respect those differences.
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Derek's work has included roles with Partners for Sacred Places, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Bethel Assembly, Broadway Baptist Church, First Baptist of Worcester, Arborlawn United Methodist, and St. John's Baptist. That path gave him experience in facilities management, capital planning, community engagement, and fundraising—but more importantly, it taught him that congregations need someone who asks the right questions, not someone who prescribes solutions from outside their context.
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Derek holds a BA from the University of Valley Forge, an MA in Theology and Ministry from Brite Divinity School, and a certificate in nonprofit management. His theological training grounds his consulting work: he believes strategy and faith can't be separated, and that faithful leadership deserves clarity about what's actually possible.
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Through Pinnacle Services, Derek and his team walk alongside congregations navigating sustainability decisions, facility stewardship, and mission alignment. Their approach is collaborative—helping leadership see the full picture and move forward with confidence.
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Derek resides in rural western Maryland, where his family has lived for generations. His work is shaped by a commitment to helping congregations build the beloved community they're called to create.
John Thomas Partner | Operations Advisor
John Thomas brings a unique blend of legal expertise and ministry experience to his consulting work. He began his career as a licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church before pursuing law school and becoming a licensed attorney. John practiced at a mid-sized law firm and most recently served as a regulatory compliance consultant for a major financial services firm. This distinctive combination of legal acumen and congregational leadership experience enables him to deliver exceptional consulting services while maintaining deep insight into the specific needs of churches and nonprofit organizations.
John earned his Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University, Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, and Juris Doctor from Texas A&M School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Texas.
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When not working with Pinnacle clients, John enjoys time with his spouse and son, pursues his passion for golf (albeit poorly), makes it a point to watch every Oscar-nominated film each year, and continues developing his expertise as a Level I Sommelier.
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Barbara Dunlap Consultant | Women's Advocacy Advisor
Barbara Dunlap is an ordained United Methodist Deacon and the founder of Sacred Worth Ministries. Before founding Sacred Worth Ministries, she served as an associate minister in the United Methodist Church. She is a graduate of Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University.
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As a consultant with Pinnacle Services, Barbara walks congregations through Foundation360 assessments and implementation. Her experience in congregational digital ministry helps churches integrate their online presence with traditional on-site programs.
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Barbara also brings essential perspective to Pinnacle's work with women serving in church leadership - as clergy, administrators, lay leaders, and volunteers. In traditions where women are called and ordained, we believe they deserve colleagues who understand their experience and can advocate for equity. Barbara ensures that lens shapes our consulting, resources, and training.
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Barbara's call to ministry began with the question, "What would the world look like if women and girls were seen as children of God with sacred worth?" That question continues to guide her work.