Tenea Manuel serves as the East Bay women’s ministry leader for the Bay Area Christian Church.  Her husband, Sam, is the East Bay lead minister, and together they form a co-leadership team with Ray and Amy Kim to manage the day-to-day ministry and decisions across all BACC campuses. She and Sam also provide direct leadership for the BACC’s campus in Pleasant Hill, and Tenea is BACC’s vocal director.

Tenea’s leadership is rooted in a lifetime of professional discipline and artistic excellence. A seasoned performer who began her professional career in acting and singing at age 11, she received elite training at the Hamilton Academy of Music in Los Angeles—a nationally recognized performing arts academy—specializing in vocal jazz, musical theater, and drama. She further honed these talents at UC Berkeley, immersing herself in the complexities of vocal jazz and theater. Tenea’s stage experience was a training ground for communication, presence, and the art of connecting with an audience. She now integrates this high-level professional background into her role as BACC’s vocal director, where she produces music and trains vocalists 

With over 25 years of ministry experience, Tenea translates the poise and resilience of the performing arts into a profound capacity for spiritual leadership. She brings a unique blend of creative vision and faith to the women of the East Bay, helping them discover God’s purpose for their lives.

Her commitment to the community is defined by a consistent advocacy for the next generation. Tenea has served on numerous school advisory boards to champion diversity, mental health awareness, and disability inclusion, ensuring that every child has a seat at the table. As the director of BACC’s women’s summer leadership program in the East Bay, she empowers young women to bridge the gap between personal faith and systemic community impact, training them to lead with the same excellence and heart that have defined her own career.