ABOUT CLASSIC CITY CONFERENCE 2019
Over the course of three days, conference attendees will receive intensive instruction on preaching, pastoring, leadership and lifestyle. They will learn how to become all things to all people that by all means they might save some.
(I Corinthians 9:19-23)
CONFERENCE STAFF
J. Ricardo Smith is a native of Athens, Georgia. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. James R. Smith of Athens. Rev. Smith grew up in Ebenezer Baptist Church, West in Athens, Georgia under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Winfred M. Hope. It was there that he publicly accepted Christ at an early age. On July 31, 2005, he commenced his preaching ministry. He completed his undergraduate studies in Philosophy & Religion at the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently pursuing postgraduate work.
In May 2012, Rev. Smith was extended the call to serve as the 16th pastor of Browns Chapel Baptist Church in Bishop, Georgia. After six years under his visionary leadership, the church has grown spiritually through the implementation of various ministries and numerically, tripling in size. In addition to his pastoral duties, Smith has served his community as a board member of The Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County and Mercy Health Center. Currently, he serves on the steering committee for The Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens.
Rev. Smith is married to the former Dr. Rhondolyn Jones of Athens, Georgia. The couple, who have been life long friends, currently resides in Winterville, Georgia. They are the proud parents of one son, Jameson Isaiah.
J. Ricardo Smith
Conference Host & Facilitator
SUPPORT STAFF
Phyllis Clark, Registration Specialist
Jerica Kelley-Stegall, Vendor Specialist
Marcia Lowe, Event Specialist
Michele Pearson, Sponsorship Specialist
Mark Smith, Vendor Specialist
Rhondolyn Smith, Technology Specialist
Tiffany Wakefield, Logistics Specialist
Nicole Vernon, Media Specialist
Emmanuel Washington, Logistics Specialist
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS AND LECTURERS
PHILLIP L. POINTER, SR.
REGINALD W. SHARPE, JR.
Pastor P, as he’s affectionately known, joined the Saint Mark family as senior pastor in 2012. Pastor Pointer earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He earned a Master of Divinity with honors from The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Pastor Pointer has served in ministry for more than 25 years.
Pastor P and his wife Keya have three children: Gabie, P.J., and Elijah.
Rev. Reginald Wayne Sharpe, Jr. is a 2013 graduate of Morehouse College, receiving his degree with departmental honors in the disciplines of religion and philosophy. He continued his education and graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Masters of Theological Studies degree in May 2016. In May 2018, Sharpe earned a Masters of Theology Degree from The Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Currently, Sharpe is an Adjunct Professor in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Morehouse College. In December 2015, Rev. Sharpe married his best friend, the gifted and talented, Brianna Sullivan Sharpe. Together they serve in ministry and currently live in Metro Atlanta.
CONFERENCE FACILIATORS
MATT ADAIR
TYRESE IVEY
Matt has been the Lead Pastor of Christ Community since 2004. He is a graduate of Samford University and Beeson Divinity School. Matt is our primary preacher and leads our elder and staff teams. He is married to Lindsey and they have three sons, Jonathan, Will and Ben. In an alternate universe, Matt is the foremost expert on college football and professional wrestling.
Pastor Ivey is earning a Bachelor’s of Religion degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is a graduate of the Dodge County High School in Eastman, GA.
Currently, he serves as Pastor of Greater Antioch Baptist Church in Macon, GA.
FRANCYS JOHNSON
PAUL LITTLE, II
Francys Johnson is a lawyer, pastor, and educator. He has served as Senior Minister at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Pembroke, Georgia and the Magnolia Baptist Church near Brooklet, Georgia for eighteen years. Johnson served as President of the Georgia NAACP, this state's oldest and largest civil rights organization.
A graduate of Georgia Southern University and The University of Georgia School of Law, Johnson previously served on the Political Science and Criminal Justice faculties at Georgia Southern University and Savannah State University teaching courses on Criminal Law; Constitutional Law; Race and the law; and the Civil Rights Movement.
Francys Johnson is married to Dr. Meca Renee Williams, an educational psychologist, and professor at Georgia Southern University. They have three sons, Thurgood Marshall Joshua, Langston Hughes Elijah and the late Frederick Douglass Caleb.
A graduate of Georgia Southern University and The University of Georgia School of Law, Johnson previously served on the Political Science and Criminal Justice faculties at Georgia Southern University and Savannah State University teaching courses on Criminal Law; Constitutional Law; Race and the law; and the Civil Rights Movement.
Francys Johnson is married to Dr. Meca Renee Williams, an educational psychologist, and professor at Georgia Southern University. They have three sons, Thurgood Marshall Joshua, Langston Hughes Elijah and the late Frederick Douglass Caleb.
Paul Little, II has been blessed with the privilege of being married to the love of his life, Natalie H. Little for the past ten years. He currently serves as Pastor-Teacher of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church in Macon,Georgia, a Christ-centered congregation known for its cutting edge ministry approach.
Additionally, he is the CEO of Innov8, a leadership consulting organization that equips leaders to maximize their potential through innovative solutions. As a community leader, Pastor Paul was recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the top forty leaders under the age of age of forty in the state of Georgia.
Additionally, he is the CEO of Innov8, a leadership consulting organization that equips leaders to maximize their potential through innovative solutions. As a community leader, Pastor Paul was recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the top forty leaders under the age of age of forty in the state of Georgia.
ANDRE OSBORNE
BRIANNA SHARPE
Andre Jamar Osborne is a servant of Jesus Christ, Husband, and Father. He and his beautiful bride of 10 years, Colanna, are the parents of 3 amazing children. Andre commenced his preaching ministry at the age of 5 and now serves as the Pastor-Teacher of the First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah, GA. Since his arrival, the church has experienced exponential growth and been led to discover their mission to serve their community and to touch the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Brianna Sharpe is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University. She is currently studying at Chandler School of Theology at Emory University. Brianna Sharpe is married to Rev. Reginald W. Sharpe, Jr. They serve together in ministry and currently live in metro Atlanta.
TERRIS THOMAS
KENYA WILLIAMS
Terris D. Thomas currently serves as Assistant to the Pastor and Director of Christian Education at Timothy Baptist, Director of Neighborhood Engagement for the Whatever It Takes Initiative with Family Connections, Communities In Schools in Athens, and chaplain with Marketplace Ministries assigned to both Pilgrim's Pride Poultry and Power Partners. "Elder T," holds a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Education from Beulah Heights University, graduating Suma Cum Laude as Valedictorian, a Masters of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Luther Rice University and a Masters of Science Degree in Youth Development from Clemson University.
Rev. Kenya Williams is a graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Following Florida A&M, Williams received a Masters of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Capella University.
Professionally, Rev. Williams is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is a 4th generation preacher. She is a Professional Chaplain at St. Mary's Health Care System in Athens, Georgia.