Christopher Jackson
Opening Devotion
Brother Jackson served under the leadership of Alvin L. Daniels Jr., Minister of the Hope Church of Christ, and the late Brother Damon Miller Sr. Brother Jackson emphases and passion is on church methodology so that church can be positioned for growth in the future. He has already given advice to church leaders and churches on systems and processes that can help facilitate church growth.
Brother Jackson has a BA Sociology/Anthropology and a Masters degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology. Brother Jackson has been preaching for 17 years and served as the full-time minister of Courtland Avenue Church for eight years and currently serves as the minister of Church of Christ at Jackson Street.
Christopher has been married to Andrea Chatman for 15 years. They have one child (Grayson).
Darwin Mason, Jr.
Sunday Morning Guest Speaker
Darwin L. Mason, Jr. currently serves as the associate minister at the Hart Street church of Christ. Dr. Mason attended Southwestern Christian College and received his bachelor's degree in music vocal performance and psychology from Fisk University, his master's degree in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University and his doctorate degree in Learning Organization and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University.
At a very early age Darwin Jr. was involved in music. He began performing before large audiences, mostly church sponsored events at the age of three. Darwin was encouraged by his parents and family to pursue his love for singing and music. As a result, at the age of eleven, he performed with the world renowned children's group Maranatha Kids. While with them he produced several CD's and was the leading vocalist on many of the songs. Darwin has since performed with many other "groups" as they are called. His most notable contribution has been with the Southwestern Christian College A'Cappella chorus, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the Nashville Youth Chorus, and NU Image. While a member, he has been a featured vocalist on nearly every production by the groups herein named. Additionally, while a member of the famed Fisk Jubilee Singres, Darwin's cohort received two Stellar awards, A Dove award, and was nominated for two Grammy's! According to the director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Mr. Kwami, "Darwin is an unbridled talent and a joy to work with. He brings everything to each performance and leaves it there."
Darwin has been blessed to lead God's people in worship both nationally and internationally. He is director of music for the National Crusade for Christ. Additionally, Darwin has written scores of songs and co-produced several CD's. His greatest joy is teaching and singing with, and for, God's people. His passion is difficult to hide. If he were an athlete one would say, he left it all on the playing field. The prophet Jeremiah termed this condition a case of "fire having been caught up in the bones."
He is married to Kayla Denise whom he calls "the brains of the operation." Kayla is Darwin's greatest supporter, most detailed critic, and his most avid supporter. His pride and joy are his two energetic and loving children Deryn Lyric Mason and Darwin Levi Mason, III
Timothy McCleskey, Jr.
“Must Be the Money: Manage your Money or Let it Manage You”
Author Timothy McCleskey, Jr. has worked in the financial services industry for over 18 years. Tim works as a consultant, conducting Benefit and Retirement seminars for Federal agencies such as the IRS, Bureau of Prisons, Social Security Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations and others. He presently serves as a member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) and The Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service (AIM-IRS).
Tim served as a host coordinator for the Financial Peace University course in Nashville, TN which was the foundation for his vision in writing his book, The Volcanic Eruption of Debt, and becoming a Financial Wellness Coach. With an associate and bachelor’s degree in psychology, Tim remains steadfast in working with individuals by helping them to understand their behavior with money and how their conduct with personal assets determine their financial future.
FELITA SMOTHERMAN
“All the Single Ladies: Weathering Seasons of Singleness”
Felita is a Christian who worships with the saints at the Highway 231 South Church of Christ. She is married to Sherman who is an elder at the congregation and they have two daughters, Shia and Jantrice. They also have four precious grandchildren. She is a real estate agent with Intero Real Estate Services. Her favorite things to do are read and receive edification from others as they tell of the goodness of God.
Her desires are simple:
An eternal home in heaven where she can praise God forever. To view all mankind through the eyes of Jesus. To speak those things that build up instead of tear down.
To live as one KNOWING this world was not her home she was only passing through.
She longs to be among the saved who will gather around God’s throne and proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”. She hopes to see all of you there!
Tradanius Beard
“When a Man Loves a Woman: A Man’s Perspective on Godly Dating”
Tradanius Beard is native of Memphis, Tn. Bro Beard is married to the former Darlisha Tabor of 10 years. They have one daughter ( Madison Grace Beard). Bro. Beard obeyed the gospel at the age of 11 while visiting his grandmother for the summer in Ruleville, Ms under the leadership of Bro. Billy C. Moore. The late great Nokomis Yeldell Sr. trained and developed him into an gospel preacher. Bro Beard has been preaching the gospel for 17 years. Bro. Beard is currently the minister of the Northwest Church of Christ(church plant) in Southaven, Ms where he has served 11 years. Bro. Beard holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Alcohol and Drugs services from the University of Memphis and a Masters of Christians Studies with an emphasis in pastoral ministry from Grand Canyon University. Bro Beard 's motto for living is " When you can't understand the WHY'S of life trust the WHO that controls life" .
Annette Williams
“Greatest Love of All: How to Love God with All Your Heart”
Dr. Annette Y. Williams is a native Houstonian and she is the daughter of the late Brother Clarence Eugene Johnson Senior and Anna Johnson. She attended Houston public schools and later attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Williams has a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Public Affairs, a Master's of Science Degree in Management and Planning; a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health and a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Behavior. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society (Magna Cum Laude). Her aspirations are to begin a private counseling practice to help God’s people move past difficulties in order serve him better.
Dr. Williams has been a professor for 13 years facilitating courses in Business Management, Human Resource Management, and Leadership. She is the owner of The Writer’s Block: 14th at Elm a writing and theatrical company and Body Gurlz, a Christian apparel company. She is also a Program Manager for a local adoption agency; volunteers for homeless and aids outreach initiatives and is the Director and CEO of the non-profit organization I’ll Go Humanitarian Relief. She is a faithful member of the Church of Christ at West End where Brother Jim Love is the minister. She is a mother of three children all whom are college graduates.
To her credit, Dr. Williams has written 37 books and has presented full stage productions of her works in Pasadena, Texas, Houston, Texas, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Georgia, Terrell, Texas and Monroe, Louisiana.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and has visited every state in the contiguous and conterminous United States, 14 countries in Europe, 8 countries in South East Asia, Africa, Mexico, a host of countries in the Caribbean and Central America. She has also been involved in mission work with the Church of Christ in Silk Grass, Belize; Georgetown, Guyana; Yendi, Ghana and Accra, Ghana. She plans to continue mission efforts in Togo and Paris, France in 2019 God willing. She enjoys scuba diving and sailing and plans to use her gifts to teach others. Her goals are to continue writing, producing; traveling, enjoying the wonderful life God has given her and serving individuals in need in her clinical practice.
Dr. Williams has been blessed to speak for a variety of lady’s day conferences in the city of Houston and beyond; she has written articles for the Contemporary Christian Women's Magazine and featured in the Houston Chronicle and The Houston Pulse Magazine and participated in a number of radio talk shows in Texas and California. She also has books in circulation at the central library at San Jacinto College, Pasadena.
Her motto is: I will be a good steward over the talents God has given me and use them to edify and glorify HIS name.
Reva Chatman-Buckley
“Where Do Broken Hearts Go? Dealing With Death, Divorce and Break-Ups”
Reva Chatman-Buckley serves as an instructor for graduate research in nearly ten years as Associate Professor at Lipscomb. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She teaches Action Research, Research in Classroom Practice, Specialized Field Project, and Introduction to Educational Research. She also also advises the masters' theses projects which emanate from several of these courses.
Chatman-Buckley spent 32 years working in the Metro Nashville Public Schools as a seventh grade English teacher, middle school assistant principal, high school curriculum principal, Coordinator of Student Disciplinary Referrals, Middle School Director of Human Resources, and a charter school principal. In December of 2015, she published Fresh Roses, a novel based on the actual experiences of six teachers who were newcomers to a high school. The purpose of this novel is to inform practice related to teacher socialization and acculturation and allow pre-service educators to vicariously experience some common challenges of the first year of teaching through the eyes of the main character. Two pieces of information included in Fresh Roses (2015) which may be of interest to veteran teachers as well as new teachers are Students' Expectations of Their Teachers and How Students Determine when to Give Teachers a Hard Time.
Jack Evans, Jr.
"Won't He Do It: God's Plan is Better than Yours"
Jack Evans, Jr. is a power-proclaimer of the Word of God. He is a well-versed capable gospel preacher of the Church of Christ, and national and international evangelist for 40 years and labors with the Lake Como Church of Christ in Ft. Worth, Texas. Being highly sought after to conduct workshops, gospel meetings and campaigns across the nation and abroad, Jack Evans, Jr. is humbly following in the footsteps of his earthly father, Dr. Jack Evans, Sr., in fulfilling the great commission of the Heavenly Father: "Go into all the world..."
Having served many years as the Director of Admissions and Retention at Southwestern Christian College, he now serves in the capacity of Special Assistant to the President of the college.
A graduate of Southwestern Christian College and Abilene Christian University, he is now a nationally and internationally renowned motivational speaker and the author of 8 books including "The God of a Second Chance", "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "Trouble in the Hood." He is married to Vicky Evans and they have one son, Jack Evans, III. His life passions are hunting, fishing and rodeo.
Zachary Ford
“Computer Love: The Pros and Cons of Online Dating”
Zachary is a servant leader who loves the Lord. He is an entrepreneur and aspiring historian. At the collegiate level, Zach is working to secure his BA in History while completing a Biblical Studies certification at Crieve Hall School of Preaching and Biblical Studies. He stays proactive in ministry on and off campus. With energy and understanding, he rallies young people to learn their purpose through service. He believes all youth have the ability to be successful when they keep Christ first. He is currently the Youth Evangelist for TruLight Youth Ministries. He serves as a trailblazer in Schrader Lane's Youth Ministry and a ministry coordinator for the congregation's college ministry.
Zachary Ford is from Nashville TN. Born to Greg and Cathy Ford he is the 4th of 5 children. He was raised at the Schrader Lane COC in Nashville, TN where he is currently a member. Zach is not your typical young man. He became a co-founder of The LoveUP Network in Hendersonville, TN. Later under the surname "YoungBrotherZach" he began actively spreading God's wisdom through art and education. The web series entitled "Minute Parables with Young Brother Zach" is produced by He and Micah Kennedy.
His future plans are to continue his study of the gospel and seek ways to build the kingdom in modern society. achary is a servant leader who loves the Lord. He is an entrepreneur and aspiring historian. At the collegiate level, Zach is working to secure his BA in History while completing a Biblical Studies certification at Crieve Hall School of Preaching and Biblical Studies. He stays proactive in ministry on and off campus. With energy and understanding, he rallies young people to learn their purpose through service. He believes all youth have the ability to be successful when they keep Christ first. He is currently the Youth Evangelist for TruLight Youth Ministries. He serves as a trailblazer in Schrader Lane's Youth Ministry and a ministry coordinator for the congregation's college ministry.
Zachary Ford is from Nashville TN. Born to Greg and Cathy Ford he is the 4th of 5 children. He was raised at the Schrader Lane COC in Nashville, TN where he is currently a member.
Zach is not your typical young man. He became a co-founder of The LoveUP Network in Hendersonville, TN. Later under the surname "YoungBrotherZach" he began actively spreading God's wisdom through art and education. The web series entitled "Minute Parables with Young Brother Zach" is produced by He and Micah Kennedy.
His future plans are to continue his study of the gospel and seek ways to build the kingdom in modern society.
