Return to flip book view

Virt EVALINA

Welcome to the Leadership Training Institute! I am excited that you’ve chosen to invest your time, energy, and focus in becoming a better leader. Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts—it’s about one life influencing another. During our time together this week, I hope you’ll discover that your greatest growth happens not just when you learn about leadership but when you live it out every day. Most importantly, what matters most, is what happens next! As John Maxwell often says, “Leaders are learners.” And learning about leadership means understanding that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. It comes in many styles, each with its own strengths and purpose. There’s the visionary leader who casts a compelling picture of the future, inspiring others to reach for something bigger than themselves, much like Habakkuk 2:2, which says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” Then, we have the servant leader, who leads by example, prioritizing the needs of the team and lifting others up to achieve their best, following the model of Jesus in Matthew 20:26-28: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” The transformational leader focuses on creating change, challenging their team to grow, innovate, and think beyond the status quo, similar to Romans 12:2, which encourages us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Meanwhile, the transactional leader relies on structure and rewards, setting clear goals and expectations with a focus on results, much like the principle found in Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Finally, the coaching leader invests time in developing people’s skills, guiding and mentoring them to unlock their potential, embodying the wisdom of Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The best leaders understand these styles and know how to apply them effectively, depending on the needs of their team and the challenges they face. You’re stepping into an environment designed to stretch your thinking, sharpen your skills, and inspire you to lead with purpose and make a significant impact in the kingdom of God. My goal is simple: to equip you with the principles, tools, and mindset you need to lead well, whether that’s in your church, your community, or your home. Remember, leadership is not a destination; it’s a journey. And today, you’re taking a significant step forward on that journey. So, let’s dive in, grow together, and become the kind of leaders who not only make a difference but multiply that difference in the lives of others. Welcome to the Institute—I’m excited to see the leader you’re about to become! What matters most, is what happens next! Because of Him, I am, Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr., Presiding Prelate Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District

PASTOR NATE STEWART Pastor Nate Stewart is a native of Macon, Georgia. Pastor Nate attended college on a football scholarship. His dream was to play for the NFL, but those plans were halted after he suffered a major knee injury during his freshman year. It was at this time that Pastor Nate began to really pray and seek God about his life and his future. In 1997, Pastor Nate accepted his call to full-time ministry, and the journey began at The Florida School of Preaching. He moved on to Christian Bible College, where he received his Bachelor of Theology Degree and Master of Ministry Degree in Christian Counseling. Pastor Nate served six and a half years as the Pastor of Youth, Young Adults, and Singles at St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was also privileged to serve as one of the interim Teaching Pastors from 2011-2013. In 2013, Pastor Nate relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, to serve as the Executive Director of Ministry at New Community Bible Fellowship under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Kevin E. James. Two years later, an amazing door opened for Pastor Nate, and he returned to his home state to serve as the Executive Pastor at The House of Hope Atlanta and The House of Hope Macon, under the direction of his spiritual father and mentor, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr. He later became the campus Pastor of their third location, The House of Hope Southpoint. In 2017, Pastor Nate received an unexpected call from the Lord to serve as the Senior Pastor of Greater Life Church. After much hesitation and prayer, he accepted the offer and moved his family to San Diego, California, to serve as the 3rd Pastor in the church’s 45-year history. In the first two years alone under Pastor Nate’s Leadership…. the church’s weekly attendance, membership, and giving skyrocketed! The Lord blessed with over 200 new partners, thus resulting in the need to begin the renovation & expansion of the church campus. Since the arrival of Pastor Nate, the church has seen tremendous growth spiritually, numerically, and aesthetically. They were recognized as one of the top 100 US Emerging Churches to Watch by Outreach Magazine. They continue to break ground and complete various phases of the Greater Campus Renovation & Expansion Building Project. They have even begun the launch of their first-ever Greater Life Academy. Now, after 3 years and 600+ new partners, God continues to demonstrate the outpouring of His love, blessings, favor, and Holy Spirit over this ministry. Pastor Nate’s guiding scripture for life and ministry is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust In the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

PASTOR NATE DAVIS Pastor Nate Davis On April 29, 2019, Pastor Nate and Lady Tequilla Davis received and answered a divine calling to establish a church in their hometown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It was the first African American church in the area in 84 years. They held a pop-up service at the Carrboro Century Center, a location they had driven by numerous times, just 5 miles from their home. This building had previously served as Carrboro Baptist Church two decades earlier. Despite having no praise team or band, 229 attendees showed up for the service and immediately ran out of room. On May 5, 2019, they officially launched what would become Now Church with a dedicated group of supporters. The church experienced rapid growth, necessitating a move to a larger venue three weeks later, relocating to Carrboro High School, which accommodated 450 people. As the congregation continued to expand, it faced another relocation to Culbreth Middle School. There, it offered two services at 9 and 11 AM, both of which quickly became filled to capacity. Their first watch night service held a few months before the pandemic, attracted 735 attendees at Hillsong Church, which was previously known as Carrboro Baptist Church, is the very place where Pastor Nate and Lady T first met. Look At God! Unexpected, just ten months after its inception, Now Church was compelled to shift to online services due to the pandemic. For an entire year, they streamed services online, generously supported by Bishop Billy T. Russell, the former Senior Pastor of Triumphant Church and a member of Pastor Nate's leadership presbytery, who permitted them to use his church for recordings on Wednesdays. As the pandemic waned, Pastor Nate began searching for a new home for the church. In April 2021, Now Church moved to its current location on Barbee Chapel Road, previously known as Triangle Church. Although Pastor Nate had initially reached out to use the facility for a watch night service two years prior without a response, the building remained vacant during that time. While exploring other options, a real estate agent informed him of a new listing that piqued his interest. Upon hearing the address, he was filled with excitement, recognizing it as the very location he had once desired. This experience reaffirmed his belief that what God has for you will always find its way, regardless of past rejections or delays. Today, Now Church continues to flourish, with 1,394 members, and an average of around 700 in-person attendees and 1,290 virtual attendees each Sunday. Pastor Nate Davis and his wife, Lady Tequilla Davis, are the proud parents of four children and grandparents to two. They have been married for twenty-seven years. Together, they are excited for Now Church's God-given assignment is to impact the everyday lives of all it reaches through building faith, promoting family, and supporting community.

PASTOR CHRISTOPPHER STACKHOUSE Dr. Christoppher Stackhouse Sr. was called to ministry at a very young age. He preached his initial sermon when he was only fifteen. Learning the ways of ministry from his father and a collection of pastoral mentors, Pastor Stackhouse matriculated, growing in faith and wisdom. While on his ministry path, Pastor Stackhouse met his wife, Savannah, while in seminary. The two quickly became inseparable. She remained by his side as he sharpened his craft preaching around the country. After a stint as pastor in Burgaw, NC, God’s handled Pastor back to his ancestral home of Fayetteville, NC, where he became the protege of the highly respected Reverend John D Fuller Sr. at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Under Reverend Fuller’s tutelage, Pastor Stackhouse worked diligently serving the Lewis Chapel community while building the membership of its Raeford location. In 2015, after 42 years as Lewis Chapel’s pastor, Reverend Fuller recommended Pastor Stackhouse as his replacement. Since then, Dr. Christoppher Stackhouse Sr. has been driven to use his experiences, his passion, and his faith to lead Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church into a new era with his wife, Savannah, and their four children by his side.

REVEREND DINA L. MARTIN The 4th child born to the late Lamar D. Lee Sr. and Helen B. (Thomas) Lee. She has been married for 43 years to the Reverend Vincent W. Martin Sr., Pastor of Community of Grace A. M. E. Zion Church. Mother of 3 adult sons and 2 daughters (in law) and surrogate mother of 2 nieces. This ever-growing family boasts more than 18 grand & “and” children. Reverend Martin is a daughter of the Allegheny Conference having been an active member since she was a Bud of Promise at Trinity A. M. E. Zion Church, a member of Youth Council, a WHOMS District officer which included YAMS and Secretary of Y’s for 14 years. She served as the Allegheny Conference Secretary and Conference Director of the Christian Education Department. She preached her trial sermon on July 19, 2000, was ordained a Deacon October 2008, and an Elder September 2011, Bishop Louis Hunter Sr., appointed her to pastor Avery Memorial AME Zion Church from 2009-2013. Currently serving the Pittsburgh District, Bishop W. Darin Moore appointed her Presiding Elder in 2019. She attended The University of Pittsburgh, and retired from the Pittsburgh Public School District in 2012 after 25 years ending with the position of Parent & Community Engagement Specialist. Employed by Family Resources, a Trauma Informed Care Agency, she worked as the Positive Youth Development Coordinator for 5 years and also for 2 years with the Center that CARES as the Director of Staff Development and Programming “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20

BISHOP DR. JOHN E. GUNS John E. Guns is the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Church of Jacksonville, Inc. where he has totally revived what was once a rigid, placid, traditional southern Baptist church into an oasis of FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, and FUN. Through extremely innovative thinking and an approachable spirit, Dr. Guns has epitomized koinonia before this great congregation and has ultimately built an amazing community of worshipers. His love for worship is evident whenever the St. Paul family gathers! He was formally educated in the public and private school system of Hampton Roads, VA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Norfolk State University and his Master of Divinity and Doctoral of Ministry Degrees from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. Bishop Guns wears several proverbial hats. He is the Founder of Operation Save Our Sons, a national movement to work with At-Risk boys designed to equip them to make positive decisions regarding the law & authority. Bishop Guns serves as the Senior Vice Presider of the Global United Fellowship, under the leadership of Bishop Joel Peebles, Presiding Prelate. Dr. Guns also serves as the Dean of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. He works on several boards and community-based organizations, and is also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., since 1982. Of all his accomplishments, his most important is his family. Bishop Guns is the proud husband and life partner of Co-Pastor Sonjanique L. Guns, the loving father of three amazing daughters, Alexis (Claude) Cheatham, Daijah S. Guns, and Tayler J. Guns, and committed grandfather to his grandsons, Zion John-Eric and Claude Douglas III and granddaughter, C’Zariah Alexis Michelle.

"WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT” 2024 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE DAILY SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2024 11:00 a.m. Devotions and Greetings 11:30 a.m. Mid-Morning Next Level Labs 12:45 p.m. Refreshing Break 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Plenary: “You Can Still Have Excellence Even When Starting from Scratch” Pastor Nate Davis, Now Church, Chapel Hill, NC “ 2:30 p.m. Refreshing Break 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Plenary: Afternoon Plenary: “Ministry Playbook I and II” Pastor Nate Stewart, Greater Life Church, San Diego, CA 4:30 p.m. Announcements and Adjournment 7:00 p.m. Evening Worship Service SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024 9:30 a.m. Devotions and Greetings 10:00 a.m. Morning Plenary: “Shutting Down Is Not An Option” Pastor Christoppher Stackhouse, Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Fayetteville, NC 10:50 a.m. TRANSITION 11:00 a.m. Mid-Morning Next Level Labs 12:00 p.m. Mental Health on The Main Stage Rev. Dina Martin 1:00 p.m. Episcopal Vision Casting Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Presiding Prelate Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District 2:30 p.m. Announcements and Adjournment "WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT”

2024 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE SCHEDULE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2024 11:00 a.m. Devotional Period – Rev. Tyquan Alston Greetings and Welcome – Rev. Dr. Evalina Huggins, Dean Rev. Dr. Timothy Freeman, Co-Dean Navigating Workshops – Mrs. Velina Glenn and the Technology Team Presentation of the Bishop and Supervisor – Rev. Dr. Rita Colbert Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr., Presiding Prelate Rev. Felica R. Thompson, Missionary Supervisor 11:30 a.m. Mid-Morning Breakouts Learning Lab A – Next Level: Preaching That Reaches Every Generation Presenter: Rev. Joshua D. Holmes Learning Lab B – “Moving from A Church Mentality to a Kingdom Mindset” Presenter: Rev. Milton A. Williams, Jr. Learning Lab C – “Resetting Our Ministries for Personal Engagement and Community Impact” Presenter: Rev. Dr. Tonya Pass Learning Lab D – “Developing A Budget for Next Level Ministry” Presenter: Rev. Alyce Walker Johnson Learning Lab E – “A Shifting Church in a Changing Culture” Presenter: Rev. Myrna Casey Learning Lab F – “Capacity Building for Small Church and Rural Ministries” Presenter: Rev. Dr. Vanessa Hicks 12:45 p.m. REFRESHING BREAK 1:00 p.m. Presentation of Plenary Speaker – Bishop Thompson You Can Still Have Excellence Even When Starting from Scratch” Pastor Nate Davis, Now Church, Chapel Hill, NC 2:45 p.m. Refreshing Break 3:00 p.m. Presentation of Plenary Speaker – Bishop Thompson Presentation: “Ministry Playbook I and II” Pastor Nate Stewart, Greater Life Church, San Diego, CA 4:30 p.m. Announcements & Adjournment

FRIDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE REV. SCOT C. MOORE, WORSHIP LEADER PRAISE AND WORSHIP JUDAH TEMPLE AME ZION CHURCH CALL TO WORSHIP REV. SCOT C. MOORE INVOCATION EVENING HYMN GLORY TO HIS NAME SCRIPTURE READING REV. RANESA MAYO REV. BENJAMIN BUSSIE PRAYER HYMN PRAYER REV. PHARAAD MASAH EL SELECTION PHILADELPHIA AND BALTIMORE MASS CHOIR PRESENTATION OF THE BISHOP REV. DR. ALVIN T. DURANT PRESENTATION OF THE PREACHER BISHOP BRIAN R. THOMPSON PRESIDING PRELATE, MID-ATLANTIC EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SERMONIC SELECTION PHILADELPHIA AND BALTIMORE MASS CHOIR SERMON BISHOP JOHN GUNS INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP INVITATIONAL SONG OFFERING REV. MILTON A. WILLIAMS, JR. OFFERTORY ANNOUNCEMENTS REV. DR. EVALINA HUGGINS, DEAN REMARKS BISHOP BRIAN R. THOMPSON PRESIDING PRELATE, MID-ATLANTIC EPISCOPAL DISTRICT BENEDICTION The A.M.E. Zion Church: Serving This Present Age: “Committed to Our Mission, Creative in Our Methods, Concentrating on Our Ministries, And Connecting Through Our Membership” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

"WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT” 2024 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE SCHEDULE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024 9:30 a.m. Devotional Moment (video) Morning Greetings – Leadership Dean and Co-Dean Navigating Workshops – Mrs. Velina Glenn and the Technology Team Presentation of the Bishop – Rev. Dr. Audie Simon I Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr., Presiding Prelate Rev. Felica R. Thompson, Missionary Supervisor 10:00 a.m. Presentation of Plenary Speaker – Bishop Thompson Presentation: “Shutting Down Is Not An Option” Pastor Christoppher Stackhouse, Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 10:50 a.m. TRANSITION 11:00 a.m. Mid-Morning Breakouts Learning Lab A – RESET: “Who You Are Matters to God – Ministerial Ethics, Morals and Christian Character” Presenter: Rev. Dr. Brian Relford Learning Lab B – RESET: What Matters Next To Our Laity” Presenters: Mrs. Ravelle King and Mr. John Logan Learning Lab C – RESET: “What Matters Most is What Happens Next in Disciple- Making” Presenter: Rev. George William Smith-Whitfield Learning Lab D – RESET: “Finding New Streams Without Digging in Old Wells” Presenter: Rev. Dr. Evalina Huggins Learning Lab E – “A Shifting Church in a Changing Culture” Presenter: Rev. Lisa and Rev. Kenneth Arnett Learning Labs F – Next Level: Kingdom Kids (5-11) Dr. Michelle Searles, Ms. Ellen Ike and Dr. William Ward Learning Labs G – Next Level: Kingdom Youth Moving to Their Next Youth (12-17) Ms. Alexxis Hutchinson and Rev. Emerald Hall

"WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT” 2024 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE SCHEDULE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024 11:45 p.m. REFRESHING BREAK 12:00 p.m. Afternoon Main Stage Presenter: Mental Health: Facing The Now, For a Healthy Next Presenter: Rev. Dina Martin, Presiding Elder 1:00 p.m. EPISCOPAL VISION CASTING Bishop Brian R. Thompson Presiding Prelate of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District Q & A Moderator: Rev. Dr. William Hogans 2:30 p.m. Announcements & Adjournment

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT LABS “Next Level: Preaching That Reaches Every Generation” Instructor: Rev. Joshua D. Holmes Preaching that enlightens rather than entertains is at the heart of Methodist doctrine and proclamation. In a culture that processes information visually, audibly, emotionally, and intellectually, this workshop will capture the various styles of preaching that are life-transforming and evangelistic for every generation. “Moving From A Church Mentality To A Kingdom Mindset” Instructor: Rev. Milton A. Williams, Jr. The wider culture has greatly impacted the institutional church; however, those who understand a kingdom mentality recognize that they are more than just members but citizens of God’s kingdom. Kingdom Citizens shape the culture rather than the culture shaping the church. “Resetting Our Ministries For Personal Engagement and Community Impact” Instructor: Rev. Dr. Tonya Pass Historically, the church’s ministry has been inwardly focused; however, if it is to impact the community and the world significantly, it must undergo a hard Reset. This reset involves helping local church ministries understand that we are called to engage those outside the church and become intentional about our community impact. “Developing a Budget For Next Level Ministry” Instructor: Rev. Alyce Walker Johnson Given our shifting attendance and church volunteer participation, we must program and budget our ministries much more effectively if we are going to engage in ministry at the highest level. We can no longer indiscriminately spend. A balanced local church budget can be the compass a church needs to move in the right direction. Do you know where your church is moving? “A Shifting Church In A Changing Culture” Instructor: Rev. Myrna Casey The Church is constantly challenged to address and respond to the Culture, which changes from one moment to the next. Are we prepared as Christians to engage the Culture? If we are the standard bearers, what is the Church’s role in a culture facing demographic shifts, moral issues, rising racial concerns, poverty, sexuality, and theological questions that challenge the core of the Christian faith?

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT LABS “Capacity Building for Smaller Churches and Rural Ministries” Presenter: Rev. Dr. Vanessa Hicks Barna Group suggests that the U.S. is dominated by small churches, with the average church attracting less than 90 on a typical weekend. What new strategies can we employ to build ministry capacity among those in our ranks? What new strategies can we employ to attract families? Can a small or rural church community be an asset? What spiritual practices hinder our growth? Is growth truly the desire of small or rural churches? Reset: “Who You Are Matters to God - Ministerial Ethics, Morals, and Christian Character.” Presenter: Rev. Dr. Brian Relford Have we considered that there is more to persons not returning to local houses of worship apart from COVID-19? We are representatives of Christ, whether clergy or lay, churched or not; the world expects us to model the ways of Christ—our Christian character and personal integrity impact how others see the kingdom. Let’s look at current challenges and pursue greater opportunities to increase our witness. Reset: “What Matters To Our Laity” Instructors: Mr. John Logan and Mrs. Ravelle King A healthy church is strong when it knows that the pulpit and the pew are both stakeholders in the success of its ministry. It is understood that the Pastor sets the “vision” for the local congregation; however, healthy dialogue and discussion about what the laity believes will move the church forward is critical to our continued growth. When our laity comes to church, what are they looking for? Do they understand the Vision and Mission of their church? How are they to communicate opportunities for change? Reset: “What Matters Most is What Happens Next in Disciple-Making 5.0” Presenter: Rev. George William Smith-Whitfield The church and Christians must reject the idea that COVID made Disciple-making difficult; we learned that we cannot teach people to become disciples simply through Sunday morning worship. Disciple-making involves developing community, strengthening relationships, being intentional about small groups, having thematic bible studies, and helping people understand that digital technology has emerged as a new way of making disciples. What Covid taught us is that relationships are essential to disciple-making.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT LABS “Finding New Streams Without Digging In Old Wells” Instructor: Rev. Dr. Evalina Huggins We’ve heard it repeatedly: the church must find new income streams due to lower attendance, aging members, and the resources needed to provide impactful ministry. Grants are not the only helpful streams but philanthropy, awards, communal relationships, head-start programs, civic utilization, and understanding the needs of your community to the extent that you can provide a service that no one else is providing that brings funding to you. Are we looking for new streams or old wells? RESET: “A Shifting Church in a Changing Culture” Instructor: Rev. Lisa and Kenneth Arnett The challenge of the church is to stay relevant in a shifting world. People They question their commitment to the institutional church for many reasons; however, the Church is mandated to “serve this present age.” What does the church need to retain or release in this present culture? What tools and resources are needed for transformational ministry in an ever-changing culture? Let’s explore these questions and more together. Children’s and Youth Labs Instructors: Dr. Michelle Searles, Ms. Ellen Ike, Dr. William Ward, and Alexxis Hutchinson Our children and youth workers will engage our young people on a level they understand, focusing on the theme of this Leadership Institute: “What Matters Most is What Happens Next.” For many of us, past and current situations sometimes paralyze us and keep us from moving into our “NEXT,” which also holds for our young people. Join us as we encourage and motivate our young people with biblical principles to help them move into where God is taking them and what God expects from them.

2024 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE TEAM Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Presiding Prelate Rev. Felica R. Thompson, Missionary Supervisor Presiding Elder Dr. Evalina Huggins, Institute Dean Rev. Dr. Timothy Freeman, Co-Dean Presiding Elder Dr. Rita Colbert, Logistics and Communications Rev. Dr. Timothy Freeman – Budget/ Finance Mrs. Velina Glenn / Mrs. Doris Atkins – Registration Rev. Roderick Josey – Communications Mr. Ramon Shelton – Music Director Platform and Technology Team All Presiding Elders Presenters and Instructors All Program Participants SPECIAL THANKS TO Presiding Elder Dina Martin Pastor Nate Davis Pastor Nate Stewart Rev. Dr. Christoppher Stackhouse