Home: Athens, GA. Birthplace: Athens, GA. Profession: Healthcare leadership, administration and clergy. Organization: Billups Grove Baptist Church. Title: Senior Pastor. Alma mater: Albany State University (B.S.), Albany State University (MBA), Florida Coastal School of Law (J.D.).
Current project: Leading Billups Grove Baptist Church and expanding its community outreach ministry in Athens, Georgia. Recent recognition: Regents Award Recipient at Albany State University and Governor's Scholar at Florida Coastal School of Law. Recent professional development: SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and certified AAMC Healthcare Diversity Executive. Latest accomplishment: Answering the call to serve as Senior Pastor of Billups Grove Baptist Church in 2019. Latest contribution to others: Providing scholarships to college-bound students through the Athens Area Human Relations Council for 24 consecutive years. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Accepting the call to preach the Gospel in 2009 after years of service as a deacon. Hobbies: Preaching and sermon preparation, mentoring emerging leaders, community service and civic engagement.
Personality profile: Principled, purpose-driven and people-focused. A servant leader who leads with conviction and compassion. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Devoted. Moral compass: The Bible and the teachings of the Gospel. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust built on integrity, clear communication and a shared commitment to outcomes that benefit more than just the bottom line. What is your greatest joy? Witnessing the growth of people I have mentored in their careers, character and communities. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Educator and community advocate. What is at the top of your bucket list? Visiting every state in the South to preach and serve in communities that are often overlooked. How do you relieve stress? Prayer, reflection and time in scripture.
What was your first paying job? Community outreach and service work connected to church and civic organizations. What was your favorite college course? Business Ethics or Organizational Behavior. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Framed scripture passages and recognition from the Athens Area Human Relations Council and American Red Cross. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Rev. Abraham Mosley, Senior Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Telehealth and digital health platforms. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Scripture, sermon preparation and stories of leaders who transformed their communities through service. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Accepting the call to preach the Gospel in 2009.
What is your big idea?
Integrating healthcare access, workforce development and faith-based community engagement into a single holistic model for underserved communities.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Reducing health disparities through diversity leadership and culturally competent human resources practices in hospital systems. What change would you like to see in the world? Greater equity in healthcare access and quality education for underserved communities, particularly in the rural South. What message do you want to send out into the world? Lead where you are planted. Every community deserves excellent leadership, not just the ones with the most resources.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? From Deacon to Doctor: A Life of Service. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What advice would you give your younger self? Start where you are, with what you have, and grow from there.
Personal mission: Serving God, serving others and developing leaders who will outlast and outperform everything he built. Personal motto: Lead where you are planted, serve with everything you have and never mistake your title for your purpose. Favorite quote: "The time is always right to do what is right" (Martin Luther King Jr.). Desired epitaph: He served faithfully and left every community better than he found it.
