Keynote Speaker:
Presiding Bishop F. Josephus Johnson II, better known as Bishop Joey Johnson, is the Organizer and Senior Pastor of The House of the Lord in Akron, Ohio.

Bishop Johnson is a renowned Bible Scholar, counselor, author, educator, conference speaker and workshop facilitator. His experience in leading one of the city's largest churches for over thirty years has equipped him to impart wisdom for issues related to church growth and development, business management, leadership and team building.

As a visionary, Bishop Johnson founded The Pastoral Mentoring Institute, where he utilizes his considerable skills to train and mentor senior pastors and other church leaders to be more effective in their local churches and in making an impact on today's society and generations to come for the cause of Jesus Christ. As a lover of The Holy Scriptures with keen intellectual curiosity and insatiable appetite for reading, Bishop Johnson founded Emmanuel Christian Academy and Logos Bible Institute to present opportunities to both children and adults to be educated and equipped in the foundation of God's Word.

Bishop Johnson was promoted to Bishopric through the providential wisdom of God and at the request of the senior pastors he mentors. His consecration and ordination in 2004 was accompanied by having the Doctor of Divinity degree conferred upon him by the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops Congress. Within the Christian community at large, Bishop Johnson's apostolic responsibilities include the oversight of Beth-El Fellowship of Visionary Churches. Beth-El was created to be a source of encouragement, practical leadership development and team building, as well as a haven of rest for senior pastors, their spouses, and other church leadership. He offers over three decades of pastoral wisdom and guidance to the senior pastors of these churches and their congregations.

In 1983, Bishop Johnson authored The Church: The Family of Families. The popularity and power of his 1997 sermon series entitled, “Family Mess” inspired him to write God Is Greater Than Family Mess in which he illustrates God's sovereignty and power to work in the midst of the family problems of Abraham, the father of Israel and the Christian faith, and in the family trials of his spiritual children, believers in Jesus the Christ. Bishop Johnson recently completed his third book, The Eight Ministries of the Holy Spirit: From Denomination to Reformation: An Introduction to Biblecostalism® and the study guide for this book is scheduled for release Fall, 2007.

Bishop Johnson is married to Elder Cathy Johnson; they have two adult children and six grandchildren.

Interfaith Worship Preacher:
Dr. Frank Anthony Thomas has been an ordained minister and pastor for 26 years. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. Thomas received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, an additional Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts degree in African-Caribbean Studies from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

He has taken his pastoral experience, his love of African American preaching and his abilities as a scholar to McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois where he has taught Preaching in an adjunct capacity for many years. He has also taught Preaching at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. As a co-mentor, he helped to guide 16 students to their Doctor of Ministry degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Thomas teaches at the Doctoral level in the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program and in the Master of Divinity Program at McCormick, and served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis , Tennessee .

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Hope for Life International, Inc. which is the non-profit that owns The African American Pulpit (TAAP), a quarterly journal that serves as a repository for the very best of African American preaching and provides practical and creative resources for persons in ministry. It is the only African American owned, non- denominational, preaching and ministry journal in the country, and has a subscription base of more than 7000.

Dr. Thomas wrote his first preaching method book, They Like to Never Quit Praisin' God: The Role of Celebration In Preaching, in 1997 (Pilgrim Press). In 2001, Judson Press published, What's Love Got To Do With It? Love, Power, Sex and God, a collection of essays on the intricate connections between love, power, sex, and God. The book has been so successful that a special workbook, What's Love Got To Do With It? Love, Power, Sex and God: The Workbook was released by Judson Press in January, 2002. In Spring 2002, Fortress Press released Spiritual Maturity: Preserving Congregational Health and Balance in book and workbook that set forth his thinking on spiritual maturity in every day matters and in congregational relationships. Chalice Press released his most recent book, The Lord's Prayer In Times Such as These, with September 11, 2001 as its central focus. Dr. Thomas and Rev. Martha Simmons co-edited, 9.11.01 African American Leaders Respond to An American Tragedy ( Judson Press, December 2001). The book sold out of the first print run of 10,000 copies in two months.

Sermons by Dr. Thomas have been featured in The African American Pulpit, Patterns of Preaching, ed. Ronald Allen (Chalice Press 1999), and Pilgrim Press released Atonement: The Million Man March in 1996. Dr. Thomas is in demand as a preacher, speaker, lecturer, and revivalist. He has been the keynote speaker and lecturer at seminaries, universities, and Bible colleges including Boston University, North Park Theological Seminary, Christian Theological Seminary, Morehouse School of Religion, American Bible College, and McCormick Theological Seminary. In April 2003, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. He is married to Joyce Scott Thomas. They have a son, Anthony William, and a daughter, Rachel Sojourner Thomas.

Closing Worship Speaker:
Reverend Dr. Gina Marcia Stewart currently serves as Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.  She is the first African American female elected to serve a Baptist congregation in Shelby County.  She was elected by majority vote in March 1995.    Rev. Dr. Stewart accepted the call to preach in December 1989 and was licensed and ordained in February 1990 and May 1990 respectively. 

Before accepting the pastorate at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Stewart served as the Director of Admissions at Shelby State Community College for six years.  Prior to that, she held the same capacity at Memphis Institute of Technology from 1986 to 1989.  From 1983 to 1986, she was an Admissions Representative for Control Data Institute.  She was employed as an Admissions Representative Trainee from 1982 to 1983 at Control Data Institute.  She is a 1978 graduate of Memphis Catholic High School.  She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing in 1982 from the University of Memphis.  In 1989, she received a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee.  She graduated cum laude from Memphis Theological Seminary where she received the Master of Divinity degree, May 1996.  At the graduation ceremony, she received the Outstanding African American student award and the award for Excellence in Homiletics.

Rev. Dr. Stewart also attended the Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute for Church Based Community and Economic Development (2000).  She is currently enrolled at Interdenominational Theological Center-(ITC)-Atlanta,Georgia where she is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.     Rev. Dr. Stewart has received numerous honors and awards for her outstanding service to the church and the community.  Awards include but are not limited to selection as an Outstanding Young Woman of America (1982, 1988 and 1990). The Silver Award from Top Ladies of Distinction in recognition of Spiritual and Community Service. In 1998, she received the award for Outstanding African American Alumnus by Memphis Theological Seminary. In 1999, she received the Award for Excellence in Christian Education from Bluff City Christian College and the Greater Memphis Interagency Coalition for the Homeless Award for Outstanding Support and Service.   The Outstanding Citizen of the Year award (2000) in recognition of service to the community from Sigma Gamma Rho sorority and The Community Service award (2000) in recognition of community service to the Black Family from Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.  In September, 2001, she received the Women of Wisdom award in recognition of her religious contributions from the 100 Black Women and the Pastor's Spiritual Leadership award from 990 The Light WKNO Radio Station and the Soul Circus. She was featured in the November/December 2003 issue of Gospel Today magazine as one of The World's Most Loved Pastors.  In December 2003, she was honored by Mission Possible Outreach Service Mission for outstanding pastoral leadership and community service.  In January 2004, she was awarded the O'landa Draper Humanitarian Award.  She received the Pastor of the Year Award (medium size church) from the Gospel Bridge Awards in June 2004. She is currently serving as a Team Leader for the Pastoral Excellence Program for the Lott Carey International, a development and advocacy organization. She is member of the Advisory Board for A More Excellent Way, Inc. She also serves as a board member for LIFT Ministries, Inc. and formerly served as a board member for Circles of Success Academy.  In August, 2002 she formed Greater Works, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to philanthropy and ministry development. 

Workshop Presenters:

Micah L. McCreary, M.Div., Ph.D., LCP. is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University School of Theology, and a Master of Science degree and Ph.D. degree in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. At Virginia Commonwealth University he has served in numerous roles including, Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity, Quality Enhancement Plan Coordinator, University Hearing Board Chair, and as a member of the faculty senate.

Dr. Micah L. McCreary has been the recipient of the APA Minority Fellowship, State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) fellowship, internship at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, Gimbel Child and Family Fellowship, the Elske v.P. Smith Distinguish Teaching Award and The American Council on Education Fellowship. 

Pastor Randolph Meade Walker is a native of Heathsville, Virginia. After receiving a B.A. degree in history from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 1972, he relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. He has remained a resident of the West Tennessee city since that time. Realizing the importance of academic preparation for life, he earned the M.A. degree in history in 1976 and the Ph.D. in 1990. Both were earned at The University of Memphis. In 2004, he received the M. Div. degree at Memphis Theological Seminary. For fifteen years, Randolph Meade Walker worked in the business world as a sales account executive with AC-Delco Division of General Motors Corporation. Following that experience, he was a faculty member at LeMoyne-Owen College for another fifteen years. As a clergyman, Randolph Meade Walker has served as an assistant pastor of New Elam Baptist Church in New Kent, Virginia and pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church of Henning, Tennessee and New Philadelphia Baptist Church of Memphis. Presently, Randolph Meade Walker is the pastor of Castalia Baptist Church. He was elected to that pulpit in 1998 with an unanimous vote. Randolph Meade Walker writes extensively. He has authored numerous poems, articles and sermons. Three books have also been written and published by him. Two manuscripts are presently in progress for future publication. Dr. Walker travels in a commodious fashion. He has delivered professional lectures across the United States, and in Mexico, Senegal, Egypt, and South Africa. He has delivered sermons on three continents. Numerous awards have been bestowed upon him. Included in the list are his being named to International Who's Who, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and Who's Who in America. Also in 2002, LeMoyne-Owen awarded him an honorary doctorate. Randolph Meade Walker is married to the former Miss Deloris Adair. They have two children, Jennifer and John, and one granddaughter, Mackenzie. His resolve is to say something good to and about someone every day!

Paul R. Dekar is Niswonger Professor at Memphis Theological Seminary and Adjunct Professor at the University of Memphis. In addition to teacher, he is a peacemaker, social activist, and visionary. Over a thirty-year teaching career, he has sought to unite scholarship, spirituality, and a passion for transformative peacemaking.

Dekar has has taught introductory and elective courses in peace studies, religious studies, history, and theology at universities in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Offering immersion courses, he has facilitated learning experiences in Bolivia, Cameroon, India, Trinidad; with Native Australians, Canadians, and Americans; and with refugees. He has done fieldwork and continues ongoing research on six continents.

Paul is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. He and his wife Nancy Rose Dekar have been married thirty-eight years. They have two sons, Nathaniel Paul and Matthew Paul. For recreation, Dekar and his family vacation at their summer shack on the rocks of the Georgian Bay in Ontario. An ordained clergyperson of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, Paul serves a small congregation as he summers in Ontario. While living in Hamilton, Ontario, he was involved with Baptist, Quaker, and Mennonite congregations. In Memphis, Tennessee, he attends an American Baptist congregation, Prescott Church. He has gone through formation as a Benedictine Oblate and is also involved in a Baptist monastic contemplative community in Australia.

Dr. Baldwin is a native of Camden, Alabama. He received his early education in the public schools of Wilcox County, the heart of the so-called Alabama Blackbelt, where he participated in student demonstrations and other civil rights activities in the 1960s. He graduated from Camden Academy High School in 1967.

During the height of the civil rights and black power movement, Dr. Baldwin matriculated at Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama. He received a B.A. degree in History from that institution in 1971. He then studied at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminaries in Rochester, New York, where he was awarded the M.A. degree in Black Church Studies in 1973 and the M.Div. degree in Theology in 1975. In 1980, he received the Ph.D. degree in American Christianity from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

Dr. Baldwin contributed substantially to two major works which appeared in published form in 2002. They are Between the Cross and the Crescent: Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Malcolm and Martin, co-authored by Baldwin and Amiri YaSin Al-Hadid; and The Boundaries of Law, Politics, and Religion: Revisiting the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Baldwin.

Dr. Baldwin is currently working on several major publications. They include God of Our Silent Tears: Sermons from the Depths of the Human Spirit ; The Harmonies of Liberty: Malcolm X and the Black Nationlist Tradition ; Slave Thought: The Contours of a Folk Theology; In the Backwaters of African Methodism: Small Black Methodist Denominations, 1805-2005 ; Standing in John's Shoes: The Black Preacher and the Folk Sermon ; and The World as Parish: John Wesley and the Oppressed.

Paula Dobbs-Wiggins, M.D., ThD., is an adjunct associate professor of pastoral care at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas whose research includes African-American families. Dr. Dobbs Wiggins practices Psychiatry in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Paula Dobbs Wiggins, graduated from the Harvard Med School with an MD and has been in the profession for 24 years.