The Power of the African-American Pulpit
The Institute for Pastoral Excellence at West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) presented a Preaching Conference
entitled The Power of the African-American Pulpit. The conference was held on the WATS campus from
May 20th through May 22nd, 2009 A.D. Pastors and students preparing for pastoral ministry attended this 3 day conference.
Speakers
Dr. Ralph Douglas West
Dr. Ralph Douglas West is the founding pastor of Brookhollow Baptist Church (aka "The Church Without Walls"), Houston, which has grown to over 14,000 families meeting in three locations. He holds a DMin degree from Beeson Divinity School, and has done advanced studies at Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
Dr. West has lectured at Princeton Theological Seminary, Morehouse College, and Samford´s Beeson Divinity School, and is adjunct professor of preaching at Truett Seminary in Waco, TX. He is the author of Finding Fullness Again: What the Book of Ruth Teaches Us About Starting Over, (2006). In 2008, he released Left Alone, a book on finding strength for life´s mysteries and uncertainties.
Dr. West is married to Sheretta and has two sons.
Dr. Maurice Watson
Dr. Maurice Watson was called to preach the gospel at the age of 16, and two years later was ordained. He served as pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, for seven years before accepting the call to pastor the Salem Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, where he served for 15 years. Salem’s membership grew from 1,200 to more than 3,500 during that period, and the ministry moved into a new multi-million dollar facility in January 2000.
In 2004 Pastor Watson became the senior pastor of Beulahland Bible Church in Macon, Georgia. Under his leadership the church has grown dynamically, including the opening of a second location of worship in February 2005. New worship facilities are now under construction at both locations.
In addition to this pastoral calling, Pastor Watson also has a dynamic itinerant preaching ministry across the continent and globe. He is motivated by his love for people, his love for preaching, and his belief that no one is beyond God’s reach. He holds the DMin degree from Beeson Divinity School, as well as two honorary doctorates.
Dr. Watson is married and has two daughters.
Dr. Sola Aworinde
Dr. Sola Aworinde is, senior pastor of The Agape Community Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos, since 1997. He holds the PhD degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He is adjunct professor of preaching at West Africa Theological Seminary.
In addition to his very successful pastoring and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Aworinde is the author of five books, including The Church in Crisis: A Study of First Corinthians (1991), The Cell Church (1999), and The Minister’s Manual: A Pastor companion for Conducting Weddings, Naming Ceremonies, Baptism and Other Public Services.
Dr. Aworinde is married, and has five children.
Musicians
Willie Kitchens Willie Kitchens is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, and is his thirteenth year as the Music and Performing Arts Director at The Bethlehem Center. He is also a full-time Worship Leader at Christ United Methodist Church, and travels around the USA speaking and singing. He was the lead vocalist for the Hall of Fame Group, “The Impressions,” and has toured with Eric Clapton and the great late Billy Preston. He is a songwriter, musician, singer, and also runs his own recording studio. He plays keyboards, guitar, bass and drums |
Elder Jeff Seay Elder Jeff Seay is also a native of Chattanooga, but his ministry has been international. He serves as the Associate Elder and Director of Music Ministry at Temple of Faith Deliverance Church of God In Christ. He attended Chattanooga State under a music scholarship and has “opened” for artists such as Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, and Vicki Winans, among others. |
Schedule
The schedule for the Preaching Conference was as follows:| Day 1 - May 20, 2009 A.D. | |||
| 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Completion of Registration | ||
| 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM | Worship | ||
| 10:20 AM - 11:15 AM | Lecture I | Dr. West | |
| 11:15 AM - 12:00 AM | Preaching I | Dr. Watson | |
| 12:00 AM - 12:45 AM | Mid-Day Break | ||
| 12:45 AM - 01:05 PM | Worship | ||
| 01:05 PM - 01:50 PM | Lecture II | Dr. Watson | |
| 01:50 PM - 02:15 PM | Q & A | ||
| 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM | Short break | ||
| 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM | Lecture III | Dr. West | |
| 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM | Q & A | ||
| 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM | Preaching Sesss II | Dr. West | |
| 04:15 PM - 05:15 PM | Breakout Groups | ||
| 05:30 PM - 05:45 PM | Worship | ||
| 05:45 PM - 06:30 PM | Preaching III | Dr. Aworinde | |
| Day 2 - May 21, 2009 A.D. | |||
| 08:00 AM - 08:20 AM | Worship | ||
| 08:20 AM - 09:05 AM | Lecture IV | ||
| 09:05 AM - 09:20 AM | Q & A | ||
| 09:20 AM - 10:05 AM | Lecture IV | Dr. Watson | |
| 10:05 AM - 10:20 AM | Mid-Morning Break | ||
| 10:20 AM - 11:05 AM | Lecture V | Dr. West | |
| 11:30 AM - 12:15 AM | Preaching IV | Dr. Watson | |
| 12:15 AM - 01:00 PM | Mid-Day Break | ||
| 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM | Worship | ||
| 01:15 PM - 02:00 PM | Lecture VI | Dr. Watson | |
| 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM | Q & A | ||
| 02:15 PM - 03:00 PM | Preaching V | Dr. Aworinde | |
| 03:00 PM - 03:15 PM | Short break | ||
| 03:15 PM - 05:00 PM | Breakout Groups | ||
| 05:00 PM - 05:20 PM | Worship | ||
| 05:20 PM - 06:05 PM | Preaching Sess. VI | Dr. West | |
| Day 3 - May 22, 2009 A.D. | |||
| 08:00 AM - 08:20 AM | Worship | ||
| 08:20 AM - 09:05 AM | Lecture VII | Dr. West | |
| 09:05 AM - 09:20 AM | Q & A | ||
| 09:20 AM - 10:05 AM | Lecture VIII | Dr. Aworinde | |
| 10:05 AM - 10:20 AM | Q & A | ||
| 10:20 AM - 10:35 AM | Mid-Morning Break | ||
| 10:35 AM - 10:50 AM | Worship | ||
| 10:50 AM - 11:35 AM | Preaching VII | Dr. West | |
| 11:35 AM - 12:15 AM | Mid-Day Break | ||
| 12:15 AM - 01:00 PM | Lecture IX | Dr. Watson | |
| 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM | Q & A | ||
| 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM | Breakout Groups | ||
| 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM | Worship | ||
| 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM | Preaching VIII | Dr. Watson | |
| 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM | Wrap-up | ||
For more information about the conference, contact WATS.