Reverend Soni Cantrell-Smith is the founding Minister of Ahava Center for Spiritual Living in Lexington, Kentucky. She graduated from Holmes Institute under the Direction of Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith in 2006 and was ordained in 2011. Rev. Soni is steeped in the principles of the Science of Mind and is a lifelong student of philosophy.
Rev. Soni began her studies in 1992 at Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science in Huntington Beach, California. For ten years, she was the Music Director at Namaste CSL in Long Beach, California. She has co-written a successful musical titled “Last Call,” which has been performed in numerous venues throughout the country.
Rev. Soni has been active in twelve-step work for over thirty years. She teaches spirituality classes at the Hope Center Rehabilitation for Women and is a co-founder of Bluegrass Rainbow Faith Communities, dedicated to supporting faith communities in becoming open and affirming to all.
Rev. Soni has served the CSL Minister Council for six years, two of those as Co-Chair. She has previously served on the Nominating Council as well as the CSL Task Force. Rev Soni has been serving the CSL Interim Ministers’ team for two years.
Rev. Soni believes we are all spiritual leaders. We, as leaders, must be able to articulate our vision and keep it alive through our faith in it, and we must create a sense of belonging and hope that this vision can transform our world.
