It's time to reopen your church. How will you determine how to best bring your people back under one room? Dig into the challenges. Gain perspective across a range of ministries. Learn what's working for others.
Leadership Roundtable #1
Panelists
Rev. Lawrence E. Aker, III currently serves as Lead Pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York. In 2003, he was elected as the eighth pastor in the church's history succeeding his spiritual mentor, Dr. Harry S. Wright, Sr. Reverend Aker was born in Oakland, California and was raised in Dallas, Texas. Over the past sixteen years, under Reverend Aker's spiritual leadership many have given their lives to Christ. Pastor Aker is greatly concerned with the spiritual health of the Church and Community, he is transforming lives by responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. Pastor Aker has also inspired the Women of the Word (WOW) ministry, which seeks to spiritually nurture the women of Cornerstone. Pastor Aker has also led the church through extensive renovation to the exterior of the edifice. He graduated cum laude from Howard University with a B.A. in Communications. He holds a Master in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary; a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale University, and is presently a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Reverend Aker has also been blessed with the opportunity to study Biblical Archaeology at The Holy Land Institute in Jerusalem and has had the opportunity to preach in Zimbabwe, Africa.
Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. Named by Christianity Today as one of "50 Women to Watch," Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and also speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences. Kara is the author or co-author of a number of books including Faith in an Anxious World, Growing With, 18 Plus, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum.
Pastor Nicholas Smith is the Executive Assistant Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, working hand-in-hand and assisting pastor-teacher Bishop David G. Evans. Pastor Smith was licensed to preach in November 2001 at the age of 19 and ordained as reverend in October 2004. In December 2003, Reverend Smith became the Executive Assistant Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church. His fervent desire for biblical wisdom and his realistic approach to teaching and preaching God's Word allow him to appeal to groups of all ages.
John Sommerville is the founding pastor of City Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Kansas, received an MBA from Indiana University, and an MA from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. John began his professional career as executive at General Mills, holding a number of positions, including marketing manager for Cheerios and leading new product development efforts in Europe for Cereal Partners Worldwide, a joint venture between General Mills and Nestle. John then joined the pastoral staff at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota before being asked to provide leadership for the launch of City Church in 2005. John currently he serves on the board of trustees of Christianity Today and previously was chair of the Board of Trustees of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He is the author of "Making Room for Christmas," a collection of original Christmas stories.
Amber Stewart currently serves as the First Impressions Director and supports Ministry Development at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia right outside of Atlanta. Amber joined the staff of New Hope Baptist Church in May 2019 after being a member of New Hope with her family since 2014. Amber and her husband Mike also shepherd a family group for families with young children at New Hope's North Campus. Since 2007, Amber has served in many ministry areas including Assimilation as a decision counselor and new member's facilitator, Discipleship as a women's Bible study teacher, Youth Ministry as an assistant and small group facilitator, and through the praise dance ministry. Prior to coming on staff at New Hope, Amber served as the Partnerships Manager for Atlanta Public Schools cultivating and stewarding business and school partnerships for the students of Atlanta. Before that, Amber worked as the Executive Director of a Metro Atlanta education nonprofit then known as the Atlanta Families' Awards for Excellence in Education. Amber has also worked as an educator in charter and traditional schools in Atlanta in many different roles from elementary to middle school. Amber has a heart for restoration, so she also teaches schools, businesses and community groups how to repair harm and restore relationships through training and support as a licensed trainer of Restorative Practices.
Bill is Executive Pastor of Ministries at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, regular contributor to smallgroups.com and author of The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders.
