COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Quill Brabham
7010 - Introduction to Discipleship
Rev./Dr. Quill James Brabham, Jr.is the proud pastor
of the Morning Star M.B. Church in Humboldt, TN
where he has served for over 11 years. Under God’s
guidance, Morning Star has experienced immense
growth both spiritually and numerically since his
arrival.
Numerous ministries have been birthed and
properties have been acquired. He is known
throughout the mid-South as a dynamic preacher and teacher. He is a 22-year
veteran of the United States Air Force. He has served in numerous ministries both
stateside and overseas.
Pastor Brabham has served as an adjunct professor of
Theology at American Baptist College. Pastor Brabham has endowed himself in
the study of God’s word by completing a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Arts
Degree in Christian Education, a Graduate Certificate in Counseling, a Masters of
Divinity Degree and Doctorate Ministry Degree. He also possesses a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Management. Pastor Brabham serves as the
Community Health Education Director for Madison County with the Tennessee
Department of Health.
He is married to the former Amanda Williams and they are
blessed with two children, Kourgee and Quill III. His motto comes from John 15:7
which says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you.” It’s a Bible verse of strength and
encouragement.
Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield
1079 - Survey of John
Carmichael Crutchfield joined the faculty of Memphis Theological Seminary in Fall 2012. His research interests include Human Development, the Human Brain, Teaching and Learning issues, the Formation and Nurture of Christians, African American Adolescent Males, Discipleship, and Critical Pedagogy.
He is also the General Secretary of the Department of Christian Education of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where he has written and published numerous curricula, including the first published Vacation Bible School material for his denomination.
Dr. Crutchfield likes to think of himself using a term he first heard from Dr. James Cone, “spiritual intellectual.” His work in the church and the academy compliment each other and he considers them intertwined as an academy-church or church-academy ministry. He is a board member of Religious Education Association, Paine College and Lane College. He is a life time member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Reverend Dr. Christopher B. Davis, Sr.
3012 - People of Color in the Bible
SP005 - Christian Apologetics
As senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church since 2000, Dr. Davis leads one of the most vibrant churches in Memphis. In the last ten years, the 135-year-old church has grown from approximately 200 members to over 1500. Due to this tremendous growth, Dr. Davis led the congregation in acquiring its current 14-acre campus.
Dr. Davis is the President of the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention.
A native of Proctor, Arkansas, Dr. Davis was called at the age of twenty-one to preach God’s Word. He was licensed in the gospel ministry in 1994, and subsequently ordained in 1996. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees from both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Baptist College. He earned the Master of Arts in Religion degree (Cum Laude) from Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. In June 2007, Rev. Davis received his Doctorate of Ministry degree with special emphasis on Preaching and Leadership from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In 1998, he was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Arkansas Baptist College.
Dr. Davis is married to the lovely Rhonda Richardson Davis and together they share five amazing children – Christopher II, Jaden, Allie, Jenna, and Savanna.
Ms. Sherika Goodman
Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships (On-site Course - Ages 11-17)
Sherika Bledsoe Goodman, a Jackson native who’s the daughter of Steven Bledsoe and Sharon
Spears of Jackson, TN. Ms. Goodman is an alumnus to the 2003 graduating class of North Side
High School, who furthered her education after high school by attending Union University of
Jackson, TN. She graduated with both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in
Social Work.
Ms. Goodman would be best described as a humanitarian with a passion to help
people especially vulnerable populations. Ms. Goodman has been involved in missionary work
as a graduate student at Union University, servicing victims of sexual assault as well as teaching
adults and children about healthy relationships.
Ms. Goodman is employed with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, where she
serves as a Child Protective Services Team Leader for 16 years. Ms. Goodman specializes in
child abuse and neglect and has worked in the Southwest Region, Shelby Region, as well as the
Mid-Cumberland Region of the department. She is a strong advocate for children of abuse and
neglect working closely with community resources, law enforcement, juvenile court, and the
Child Advocacy Center. Ms. Goodman dedicated her life to God as early as the age of 13 at
Rehoboth Baptist Church of Jackson, TN under the leadership of Rev. P.H Tisdale Jr. Ms.
Goodman is a current member of The Historic First Baptist Church of Jackson, under the
leadership of Pastor William L. Watson. As a member of the church, she serves as Co-Leader to
the Social Services Ministry. She is a dedicated member who partners with the leader and pastor
to accomplish much in the community. She has served on the Women’s Conference Committee
working closely with her Pastor and other members of the church to expose the women of this
community the important components of mental health, physical health, finances, and their
spiritual formation.
Ms. Goodman is the loving mother to her one son, Amauri Goodman (16yrs) whom is a student-
athlete in the Jackson Madison County School System. She has a lifetime goal of being a
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with dreams of having her own mental health facility!
Dr. Keesha Nathaniel
Domestic Violence Awareness - Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships (Virtual Course - Adults Only)
Dr. Keesha L. Nathaniel holds a doctorate degree in nursing from University of Tennessee Health Science Center of Memphis, TN. Dr. Nathaniel is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. in Jackson, TN for the past 4 years. She has served in the mental health field for 12 years, working in specialty areas such as addiction treatment centers, department of corrections and a forensic unit. Dr. Nathaniel is also a Mental Health First Aid instructor, where she educates the community on how to identify, understand and respond to mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Dr. Keesha Nathaniel is married and has three adult children with one grandchild. She enjoys traveling and hiking. She is member of the Englewood Baptist Church where she is an active member on the Women’s Ministry team. Dr. Nathaniel also serves her community as a Girl Scout troop co-leader. As a co-troop leader, she is involved in shaping high school girls’ lives by encouraging our troops to develop strong self-confidence and leadership skills.
Rev. Dr. Felecia LaVant
SP007 - Articles of Faith and the Baptist Covenant
1004 - Effective Bible Reading
3007 - History of Baptist
Rev. Dr. Felecia LaVant loves God, and loves serving God's people, especially as a teacher and preacher. She is passionate about helping individuals identify, and become equipped to fulfill their God ordained purpose.
Felecia is a recruiter for Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN. She also serves as an Associate Minister and the Director of Christian Education at Central Baptist Church Inc., under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Lynn Dandridge.. Dr. LaVant earned her bachelor degree in Sociology from Fisk University. She also earned both her MDiv., and DMin in Preaching at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Felecia is the proud and grateful mother of Andrae'a LaVant, and Alexandria Johnson.
Reverend Matthew Marshall
1007 - Introduction to the Old Testament
Minister Matthew Marshall is the President/CEO of United Way West Tennessee in Jackson, TN. After spending eight years in Higher Education at Union University, he joined the United Way team on October 1st, 2019. He is deeply committed to serving his community and does so by volunteering on many different boards, task-forces, and committees in Jackson. He is passionate about creating long-term change, not just short-term fixes.
Matthew did his undergraduate work in Christian Ethics, and then earned a Master’s in Education, both from Union University. He formerly served there as the Director of the Center for Racial Reconciliation, and the Director of Service & Diversity Initiatives within the Office of University Ministries.
Minister Marshall is on the Pastoral Team at Historic First Baptist Church in Jackson, TN where he serves under Lead Pastor William L. Watson. He oversees the Young Adults Ministry, and Biblical Counseling.
He and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 9 years. They are the parents of Arianna, Anora, and Elias.
Director Annie M. Tigue
9024 - Computers in the Life of the Church
Annie Tigue is a member and volunteer at Brown Missionary
Baptist Church Southaven. She is involved in various
church and community projects including assisting youth
with career development.
Annie is a Certified Dean and Certified Instructor of more
than 20 SSPB courses. She currently serves as the State
Director for the North Mississippi Baptist Educational
Convention, Inc. and as Assistant Dean for its annual
Congress.
Mrs. Tigue is the Secretary of the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention.
In 2017 and 2018, Annie started the personal ministry of The
Great Commission using social media and the self-titled
Christian Leadership School which will be used to educate
and train through classes, seminars and workshops. This
ministry was expanded in 2020 to teaching online CLS
courses.
Annie is a Suma Cum Laude Accounting Major graduate of
Jackson State University and a member of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. Annie worked for more than 20 years as
a bank examiner with the U. S. Treasury Department where
she received numerous awards and promotions.
Reverend William L. Watson
7008 - Reaching the Unchurched
William L Watson is a second generation pastor/teacher
who is singularly focused on communicating the word of
God to meet the needs of people. He chooses to do this by
knowing God intimately through the person of Jesus Christ
and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to make God known
to the world.
William currently serves as the visionary shepherd and
compassionate pastor at the Historic First Baptist Church in
Jackson, Tennessee.
He is currently the Moderator of the Browns
Creek District Association of Churches; State President of the Moderators Division for the
Tennessee Baptist Missionary & Education Convention; and the Chairman of the Church
Growth and Development Board for the National Baptist Convention America, International Inc.
Pastor Watson previously served as Assistant and Executive Pastor at Cummings Street Baptist
Church in Memphis, Tennessee under the leadership of Pastor Gary L. Faulkner. In his tenure
he served also as the Minister of Pastoral Care, Youth Pastor, Young Adult Pastor, and Director
of Ministry/Christian Education.
Rev. Watson accepted his calling into the ministry at Greater Lewis Street Missionary Baptist
Church in Memphis, Tennessee where the late Rev. W.P. Dixon (his maternal grandfather)
served as pastor. He accepted Christ at West Camp Missionary Baptist Church in Batesville,
Mississippi where his father, the Rev. Earl E. Watson was pastor.
When not in the pulpit, William Watson is actively engaged in civic activities in the city of
Jackson.
Rev. Watson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies with a minor in Church History
from Union University. He is currently enrolled in Memphis Theological Seminary in pursuit of a
Masters in Divinity. He is an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran and a proud son of the
Rev. E.E. and Willie Jean Watson. He has two siblings, Captain Wilborne E. Watson and
Bettina Hudson.
Dean Mable Giles Whitaker
7024 - Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
2015 - Foundations of Christian Ethics
Mrs. Mable Giles Whitaker was born in Indianola, Mississippi and nurtured by the late Civil Rights activists, Mr. Oscar and Mrs. Alice R. Giles currently resides in Antioch, Tennessee. Mrs. Whitaker is a graduate of one of the greatest HBCU, Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration and Planning, and a graduate of the historical Meharry Medical College, (CERT; H.C.A.P.).
Mrs. Whitaker completed her Certificate Of Progress Program earning the Diploma of Christian Education at the 41st Annual Sunday School Publishing Board Conference; National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc;(December 2019). Mable completed the Dean’s Fast-Track Program in December 2020. She is a certiable Dean under the efficacious leadership of a “mighty woman of God,” Mrs. Mary L. Watkins, Dean.Mrs. Whitaker is a certified Christian Leadership School(CLS) Instructor. Mrs. Whitaker gives all praises to God and also to Dr. Sarah M. Chatman, D.D.S.,Dean, a “mighty and valuable kingdom builder,” for giving me this astounding golden teaching opportunity.
Mrs. Whitaker is a member of Spruce Street Baptist Church in Nashville, TN under the pastorage of Reverend Eric D. Williams. Mrs. Whitaker is married to Cedric Gerard Whitaker and the proud parents of three wonderful adult children; Gerard Spencer, Alice LaMonica, and Justin Eugene.
Reverend Eric D. Williams
1001 - Introduction to the Bible
8035 - The African American Church and Social Justice
Born in Silver Creek, Mississippi, Reverend Eric D. Williams is a graduate of
Jackson State University (B. A.) and Morehouse School of
Religion—Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.).
While a student at Jackson State University, Reverend Williams was a member
of the Baptist Student Union (BSU), the Jackson State University Student
National Education Association (JSUMAE/SP), and the Mississippi
Association of Educators Student Program (MAE/SP). He was elected vice-
president and President of both the JSU/SP and the MAE/SP chapters. In
addition, from 1991 to 1993, Reverend Williams was a National Education
Association's Student Advisory Committee member.
Reverend Williams is the Tennessee State Director for the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention.
He is an active participant in the local, state, and national work of the
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Reverend Williams has served as President of the Stones River
District Association Congress of Christian Education, First Vice Moderator of the Stones River District
Association. He is currently serving as the President of the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education
Convention Congress of Christian Education and administrator for the Department of Church Ministry in
the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. Reverend Williams is employed at the Sunday School
Publishing Board as the Senior Director of Christian Education.
In May 2021, Reverend Williams was named Pastor of the Spruce Street Baptist Church, Nashville,
Tennessee. Reverend Williams is blessed to lead the ministry of this thriving Church with a rich history and
bright future.