WELCOME Welcome to the 64th Annual Church Leadership Conference on the campus of Virginia Union University. The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University is committed to its legacy of partnering and supporting the Black Church through the academic offerings of varied disciplines of theological education. We also engage in practicum that provide seminarians with supervised practical applications within the local church, as well as training programs for leaders and laypersons from various congregations, through our Evans-Smith Institute of Church Leadership Furthermore, STVU has heard your expressed interest in engaging in both theoretical and practical leadership training within the local churches to be better equipped to lead the Black Church in the 21st Century effectively. In response, both distinguished faculty members and alums serving in various ministerial contexts have conjoined during this session to offer relevant courses in prophetic leadership from a biblical perspective that will assist in transforming the ministries you serve. Perhaps your witness will be as that of Peter’s when he exclaimed unto Jesus following Jesus’ transfiguration, “It is good for us to be here.” Thank you for your continued support of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Please consider furthering your theological education and ministerial training here where your context and community matter.
Gregory M. Howard Interim Dean and Associate Professor of Homiletics
CONFERENCE LECTURER Rev. Dr. William Marcus Small Dr. Small is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, a double-graduate of Virginia Union University and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, where he earned a Bachelors in Psychology & Religion and a Masters of Divinity, Drew University where he earned a Masters in Sacred Theology, A Master of Clinical Social Work from Norfolk State University, and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now known as Palmer Theological Seminary) where he earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree with a concentration in Marriage and Family Ministry. A theologian, a pastor, a teacher, a counselor, a civic leader, and a sought-after public speaker, Dr. Small has a unique gift to communicate across generations with his creative bible-based messages that have inspired young and old alike. Dr. Small currently serves as the Senior Pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church of Norfolk and has held former positions as Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in New Jersey, Executive Minister of Salem Baptist Church in New Jersey, and Director of a Child Development Center with 200+ children. Dr. Small is a Staff Counselor at Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services, where he facilitates the Pre-Marriage workshop and provides counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. Dr. Small also serves as a mental health counselor at Western Tidewater Regional Jail. Dr. Small is passionate about proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and making the word of God relevant in the lives of believers and building the Kingdom of God in the congregation and community. He has been involved in advocating for civil and human rights as well as social justice issues for most of his adult life. Dr. Small has been awarded numerous honors and commendations for his commitment to service from many different civic organizations such as the NAACP and the National Urban League. He has appeared in television interviews and panels and also appeared in the “Faith in America” television program on WWOR-TV in New Jersey. Dr. Small has authored the book “Becoming Married, Staying Married: A Guide for African American Couples” published by Westminster John Knox Press. Dr. Small has been published in the AfricanAmerican Pulpit, a preaching Journal for African American Clergy. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., American Baptist Christian Association, National Baptist Convention of America, and the American Baptist Churches of the South. He has served on the Board of Adjustments for the City of Englewood, served as the President of the Black Clergy Council in Bergen County, New Jersey, and has served as the Bergen County Council of Churches Director of Pastoral Care and Public Institutions. Dr. Small enjoys spending time with his family and his partner in life and love, his lovely wife Cassandra, and they are the proud parents of a daughter, Taylor Akilah, and a son, Malcolm Augustine.
THANK YOU
As I prepare to Retire on May 14, 2021, I would like to say thank you to the many students, conference participants, instructors, facilitators, volunteers, and many others who have helped in any capacity over the past twenty-six years. Working as the Administrative Assistant in the Center for Lifelong Learning & Leadership for twenty-six years has been a pleasure and a passion as I helped those who entered the learning program and different conferences gain what they needed for their personal and spiritual growth. I entered the Evans-Smith Program in 1989 – 1992 seeking ministry direction as many of the students seek today. I ask that you don’t stop learning or “studying to show yourself approved.” II Timothy 2:15. I would also like to thank the following persons who contributed to my years of employment, growth, knowledge, and guidance; the Human Resource Department of VUU, Dr. John W. Kinney, Dr. Gloria Taylor, Dr. Ray McKenzie, Dr. Adam Bond, Dr. Corey Walker, Dr. Patricia Gould Champ, Dr. Gregory Howard, Dr. Deborah Martin, and the many coworkers from February 1995 – April 2021. A special thank you to the professors who taught me while I matriculated through the School of Theology and instilled in me valuable knowledge that I will use in several ministry areas: earning the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in Christian Education degrees.
Sincerely Submitted,
Rev. Jacqueline Dianne Anderson
T H E 6 4 TH A N N U A L
MINISTERING IN THE TIME OF CRISIS BEYOND STIGMA & FEAR TO HOLISTIC HEALING
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 • 6:00 PM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY OPENING WORSHIP
MUSICAL PRELUDE New Calvary Baptist Church, Choir Norfolk, VA
Dr. Gregory Howard, Presiding
GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTION OF CONFERENCE LECTURER………………………………….…....Dr. Gregory Howard Interim Dean – VUU School of Theology
HYMN OF PRAISE…...…………………………………………………………………………….........New Calvary Baptist Church Choir
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER.........…………………………………………………………………………...................Dr. Monica Spencer
Pastor, Bethel AME Church Montezuma, GA
INTRODUCTION OF PREACHER..……………….....…………………………….................…......................Dr. Gregory Howard
RECOGNITION OF PARTNER IN MINISTRY PATRONS PATRON $100 • BRONZE $200 • SILVER $300 • GOLD $500 • PLATINUM $750 • DIAMOND $1,000
MUSICAL OFFERING………………………………………………………………........................New Calvary Baptist Church Choir
CONFERENCE SERMON………….……………………..………………….…………………....…................Dr. William Marcus Small
Senior Pastor of the New Calvary Baptist Church – Norfolk, VA
ANNOUNCEMENTS.…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..Dr. Gregory Howard
T H E 6 4 TH A N N U A L
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021
CONFERENCE INSTRUCTORS & VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
SESSION 1
SESSION 2
Class #1 – Dr. Keith Jones USHERING IN THE KINGDOM: Knowing the Political Process/Power of Churches to Influence Local Political Agendas for Good
Class #5 – Dr. Reginald Williams FROM CROSS TO COMMUNITY: HOW TO CREATE SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRIES THAT MATTER Discussion will focus on the components of creating and sustaining a social justice ministry in the local church.
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Class #2 – Dr. LaKeisha Cook WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE: STRATEGIC PLANNING AFTER PROTESTS? Participants will learn about the important role that the Church plays in advocacy, civic engagement and policy. Class #3 – Rev. James Johnson REACHING THE FLOCK: TECHNOLOGY & MODELS FOR DOING MINISTRY FOR RURAL/UNDER-RESOURCED CHURCHES Discussion will focus on innovative and strategic ways to incorporate the latest multimedia resources and trends for the 21st Century worship. Class #4 – Dr. John Fontaine RE-THINKING THE BUILDING: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY Planning is designed to help an organization/ institution define its vision for the future and then determine systematically how it will get there, understanding obstacles and figuring out ways to overcome them.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Class #6 – Dr. Ralph Hodge BEYOND TOILET PAPER: RESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Discussion will focus on what strategic partnerships are necessary for a church to thrive during a crisis, (i.e., the essential tools, and resources every church needs to weather any storm). Class #7 – Dr. Proctor Beard ARE YOU OK: SELF-CARE MATTERS (MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ONLY) This session is designed for Middle & High School Teens Only. Discussion will address the stressful issues that teens face in today’s society including, virtual learning, sheltering in place, alienation from friends, missed social opportunities, and racial unrest. Class #8 – Dr. Marlene Fuller ARE YOU OK: SELF-CARE MATTERS (ADULTS ONLY) Discussion will focus on self-care as a spiritual discipline, allowing participants to explore the courage it takes to express their emotional needs and learn how self-care promotes a healthier congregation.
T H E 6 4 TH A N N U A L
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021
CONFERENCE INSTRUCTORS & VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
SESSION 3
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Class #9 – Dr. Ross Johnson SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY: VIRUSES, VACCINES & ISSUES OF FAITH Discussion will focus on the interaction’s viruses and the human body; how vaccines can help the body fight viral diseases: and what all of this means during this moment when COVID 19 has our attention. Class #10 – Dr. Emanuel Harris THE FUTURE IS NOW: CREATING PROPHETIC INTERGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP How did your church respond to the current season of crisis? This class will provide a critical analysis of your ministry and will give methods and strategies to help build a intergenerational leadership team. Class #11 – Dr. Alice Freeman FOOD ON OUR TABLES: CREATION CARE & PLANNING SACRED GARDENS Discussion will focus on how to use foods to heal and support our body, mind, and spirit, the importance of taking care one oneself physically, and emotionally through the foods we eat. Class #12 – Dr. Melody Williams LET ME SPEAK: SPACES FOR YOUTH TO DEFINE MINISTRY (MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ONLY) Discussion will focus on the importance of speaking your truth and harnessing the power of telling your story to foster personal growth, create spaces of community, and advocate for social causes that matter.
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021
T H E 6 4 TH A N N U A L
WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
DR. PROCTOR N. BEARD, SR. Dr. Proctor N. Beard, Sr. is the eldest son of Evangelist Louise Beard Rodgers and the late Roy N. Beard. A native of Danville, Virginia, he is a graduate of Dan River High School and Danville Community College, Danville, Virginia. Dr. Beard earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia and a M.A. degree in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Virginia. In 2006, he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia He received the Certificate of Formational Prayer from Healing Care Ministries, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio in 2011, and the Certificate in Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction in 2016 from HCM International, Ashland, Ohio. Dr. Beard was licensed and ordained by the First Shiloh Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Virginia under the pastoralship of Dr. R. Neal Siler. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation, Mechanicsville, Virginia. Dr. Beard is a certified Spiritual Director and is a faculty member of Healing Care Ministries’ Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction Program, Ashland, OH. He is the proud father of two wonderful children, Proctor Jr. (PJ) and Haley Elizabeth. The Beards reside in Midlothian, Virginia
DR. LAKEISHA COOK Dr. LaKeisha Cook is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia from where she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor concentration in Religious Studies, and a Master’s of Divinity. She also earned Master’s in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. In the fall of 2012, she completed her studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where she earned her Doctorate of Ministry degree as a Gardner C. Taylor fellow. She is currently serving as the Criminal Justice Reform Organizer for Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy in Richmond, Virginia. She has one daughter, Amaya Charece.
DR. JOHN S. FONTAINE Dr. John S. Fountaine is a native of South Boston Virginia. He received his B.S degree in Business Administration, with a minor in accounting, from Averett University, Danville VA; received the Master’s degree, in Labor Law & Legislation from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He also received the Masters of Divinity degree from The Samuel DeWitt, School of Theology, Virginia Union University, in Richmond Virginia. Pastor Fountaine earned his Doctorate degree, at Boston University, Boston Massachusetts, in Applied Psychology of Behavior and Personalities and Cultures – in Theology. Dr. Fountaine has held the office as pastor, for the Fauquier Baptist Church, Goochland, Virginia and the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Currently Dr. Fountaine serves as the pastor and under-shepherd for the First Baptist Church family in Heathsville VA.
DR. FOUNTAINE HAS SERVED AS: • “Commissioner of Finance Chair-person” for the Baptist General Convention of VA, (BGCVA) Board of Directors. • Assistant “Editor & Writer” for the National Baptist Convention (NBC) Church School Curriculum. • President and CEO of Fountaine & Fountaine Corporate Consultants • Adjunct Professor to Averett University for the “Graduate School of Business” and the School of Religion • Visiting Professor for several Universities/Colleges • Chairman of the Board of Directors, Urban League of Greater Richmond, Virginia and now holds a Board of Directors post with the Urban League of Northern Virginia • Fountaine has authored; “Young Adult Growth in the Church and African American’s Crisis in Urban America” Doctoral THESIS”. Current publication(s) are in development; “The First Quarter Mile and Then the Race” & “Are African American’s Still Up for SALE! Dr. Fountaine and wife Dorothy, have two children.
DR. ALICE M. FREEMAN Alice M. Freeman holds a Doctorate Degree from Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, She holds a Masters in Nutritional Counseling, M.A. Degree in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.), currently is a Registered Naturopath with the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board, Nutritionist, Certified Nutritional Consultant, Diabetic Educator, Lactation Educator, Certified Hydro-colon therapist, Certified Raw Food Chef, served on the Breastfeeding Commission for the Mayor’s Breastfeeding Initiative, is a recipient of the Minority Business League’s Trailblazer Award and the Praise Richmond 104.7FM Cathy Hughes Business Community R.O.C. Awards. In 1997 Alice Freeman founded Healthy Heart Plus, LLC (HHP), which is a Holistic Wellness Center that provides individualized nutritional counseling services and nutrition detoxification therapies. Two years later, she founded Healthy Hearts Plus II (HHP II), which grew out of a need to provide life enhancing nutritional education and services to communities who are nutritionally destitute because of a variety of social, economic and environmental factors. Healthy Hearts Plus II is a multi-service health education non-profit organization poised to foster social impacts for families in poverty in the City of Richmond. In 2006, Alice created the Mommies, Bellies, Babies, & Daddies (MBBD) the ABC’s of Breastfeeding program, used to empower and educate economically underserved pregnant women and new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding, healthy lifestyle practices and healthy eating choices to reduce the risk of maternal mortality, decrease infant mortality and low birth weights in newborn babies. For two decades, Alice Freeman has been elevating the consciousness of her public with her passion, zeal, determination, ability to connect with people, interactive style and in depth knowledge about Nutrition, Food Sovereignty, First Foods, and Waste FREE food security. Alice continues to empower individuals to make positive changes in their health to enhance the overall quality of their lives through Nutritional education from a spiritual point of view. She is truly an invaluable asset to the Holistic health community, RVA and beyond.
DR. MARLENE FULLER Dr. Marlene Fuller is an author, counselor, and the pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, VA. Dr. Fuller graduated from The College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Theatre/Speech. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from Averett University. Dr. Fuller earned a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and earned a Doctor of Ministry in Formational Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. She is also the founder and director of LEAP, LLC which offers coaching and counseling services.
DR. EMANUEL CHARLES HARRIS Dr. Emanuel Harris graduated Salutatorian from Armstrong High School. He attended Virginia Union University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting (Magna Cum Laude), and a Master of Divinity degree (Cum Laude) from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry degree at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond. Rev. Dr. Harris began his spiritual journey at an early age serving in many capacities of the church. He was licensed to preach the Gospel in 1993 from the Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, Richmond, Va., and ordained in 1998. Rev. Dr. Harris served as the Youth Minister at Cedar Street, Director of the Prison Ministry, interned at the Springfield Baptist Church, Henrico County, VA, and Professor at Richmond Virginia Seminary. In the secular world, Rev. Dr. Harris was a bank examiner/auditor, budget analyst, and financial analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond from 1994 until 2007. Prior to accepting the invitation to lead the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Goochland County, in November 2011, Rev. Dr. Harris was the senior pastor at New Fork Baptist Church, Fluvanna for eight years. Dr. Harris is the past President of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Goochland and Vicinity and President of Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity. Rev. Dr. Harris and his wife, First Lady Anne Shirelle Harris, embraced the opportunity to travel abroad to Accra, Ghana (West Africa) for education and seminary related studies in 1998. What makes his journey special is the people God sent to accompany his along the way to serve with him, his wife First Lady Anne Shirelle Harris and their two children, Arayana and Emanuel, Jr.
DR. RALPH HODGE Dr. Ralph has been the Senior Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of South Richmond since 2003. He is a Graduate of Howard University with a B. S. in Chemistry 92’, and a Graduate of the School of Theology, VUU 95’, and a Native of Washington DC.
MINISTER JAMES JOHNSON, JR. He is a native of Baltimore, Maryland where he was reared in the church as the son of a pastor. Minister James was educated in the Baltimore City Public School system and graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts High School, earned Bachelor of Music degree from Virginia State University and will graduate fall of 2021 with a Master of Arts in Music Business from Berklee College of Music. Minister Johnson serves as the Minister of Music of Speaking Spirit Ministries in Richmond, Virginia under Pastors Fred and Inger Wyatt. Minister Johnson is a Six-Time Gospel Music Stellar Award Nominee. As a performer, musician, and producer, Minister James has worked and shared the stage with many artists, including Tyler Perry, Bill Cosby, Tye Tribbett, Troy Sneed, The Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir, Alvin Slaughter, Maurette Brown-Clark, Stephen Hurd, Jonathan McReynolds, Erica Campbell, Bishop Marvin Sapp, Pastor John P. Kee and others. Minister James is married to the former Ms. Cathleen Abriam. Their lives are fulfilled in the love of their blended family with their four beautiful children: James, III , Ayanna, Jada, and Malaya.
DR. ROSS S. JOHNSON Dr. Johnson is originally a native of West Philadelphia. He attended Penn State University for his B.S. in Biology then the University of Michigan for his M.S. in Biology, and received his Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Ross S. Johnson is currently a Practice Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Dr. Johnson worked as a research scientist conducting new product develop at the 3M Medical-Surgical Division in both the Wound Management Group and the Infection Control group. He returned to Penn to pursue a PhD in Immunology in Dr. Yvonne Paterson research group investigating vaccine development for HIV. Dr. Johnson has taught at Virginia State University and Chicago State University. Through this teaching and educational journey, Dr. Johnson has become interested in examining the intersection of biological and social factors on public health. Dr. Johnson has embarked to develop relationships with communities of concern to inform, enlighten and advocate for change to address public health issues more effectively, translating scientific research into applications to improved health practices, health outcomes, and stigma reduction.
DR. KEITH I. JONES Believing strongly that the Church is the embodiment of God’s love, Dr. Jones leads this mission-oriented church family to care for one another and for the community through crisis support for the needy, regular community service days, food and clothing distribution, blood drives, workshops and multigenerational life skills development programs. Dr. Keith Ivan Jones also teaches daily the sacrificial love of Christ, believing that the Church is God’s transforming agent for all of God’s children. The 57th President of the Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers’ Conference, he is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a multi-faith organization that does social justice advocacy in state and federal legislatures; for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, for the Theological Scholarship Foundation and for the Norfolk State University Foundation, where he serves as the Board’s Secretary and the University’s Scholarship Chair. He is a Diamond Life Member of the NAACP. Dr. Jones is experienced in youth ministry and trained and professionally certified in marriage and family counseling, resource management, suicide intervention, organizational effectiveness, grief recovery, mental health first aid, crisis intervention, domestic violence intervention and clinical pastoral counseling. He conducts marriage and family and leadership retreats, using original materials. Pastor Jones served as a U.S. Army chaplain for more than two decades. His greatest joy is teaching the Word of God and loving God’s people. Dr. Jones loves his family. He has two gracious daughters, Hannah and Adrienne and two beautiful grandchildren James and Nora.
DR. MELODY WILLIAMS Dr. Melody Shelton Williams is a native of Hampton Roads, Virginia. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in English from Old Dominion University (ODU) in 2014. She also obtained her M.A. from ODU in 2009, and her B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005. In May of 2021, at age 36 she will complete her second doctorate, a Doctor of Ministry, from Virginia Union University. Dr. Mel, as she is affectionally called, is currently an assistant professor of English at Norfolk State University. Outside of her academic endeavors she runs a faith-based nonprofit, The DREAMS Institute, providing ministry and resources to students and women of color, and has joined Riverside Regional Health System as a Chaplain. Dr. Mel serves in ministry at The Mount, based in Chesapeake, VA, and enjoys spending her free-time writing, taking walks, and baking cupcakes with her talent.
DR. REGINALD W. WILLIAMS, JR. Dr. Reginald W. Williams Jr. is the first of three children born to Dr. Reginald Sr. and the late Atty. Marcelle H. Williams. He was born and raised in Chicago, IL, into a family, which acknowledged and affirmed a spirituality that serves God by serving God’s people, particularly in the cause of liberation. Dr. Williams is a graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Florida A & M University (cum laude), the University of Wisconsin Law School, and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University where he earned his Master of Divinity (2002), and Doctorate of Ministry (2017). Upon the completion of his M.Div requirements at Virginia Union University, Rev. Williams, was called to serve the Trinity United Church of Christ under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., as the Associate Pastor for Justice Ministries. In September of 2008, Rev. Williams was called to serve as pastor of the First Baptist Church of University Park, IL. Dr. Williams has been awarded numerous honors and commendations for his commitment and service to people and communities across the country. He is a published author, whose works are included in The African American Pulpit, the book, Blow The Trumpet In Zion, a collection of the proceedings at the inaugural Samuel DeWitt Proctor Pastors Conference, and the book, Church on Purpose (Judson 2015). Dr. Williams is the co-author of To Serve This Present Age: Social Justice Ministries In the Black Church (Judson 2013). In August of 2021, his next book, Moving The Masses: The Three Ms of Prophetic Preaching (Judson 2021) will be released. In Dr. Williams efforts to merge church and academy, Dr. Williams also serves as adjunct professor at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, McCormick Theological Seminary, and Chicago Theological Seminary in the areas of Preaching, and Social Justice Ministry. Dr. Williams’ is a visionary, prophetic pastor and professor who seeks to lead and teach through a spiritually centered and culturally relevant praxis that brings liberation to all of God’s children. Dr. Williams pride and joy comes in the persons of his two daughters: Miss Nia Mar’Celle Williams and Laila Imani Williams.