Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry...Pastor,Actor,Educator,Community Leader,Author,Activist

The Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry hails from a family that has produced five generations of Black church leaders.  Currently National Presiding Minister of The House of the Lord Churches, he has previously served as Chairman of the National Black United Front as well as Founder and President of the African People's Christian Organization.  More than 50 years of involvement in church and community service has earned him the title, "The People's Pastor."

Rev. Daughtry's long career of activism began with the civil rights struggles in the 1950s working with Brooklyn CORE and Operation Breadbasket, and continued in the fight for community control of schools in the late 1960s. He subsequently helped to found several organizations, including Black Leadership 

Commission on AIDS, Alonzo Daughtry Memorial Family Life Services, which serves the community through innovative programming such as Families of Victims Against Violence, and Alonzo Daughtry Memorial Day Care Center, which provides early childhood education under the motto, "Nurturing and Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow."  He currently serves as Chair of National Religious Leaders of African Ancestry Concerned about Darfur.

Reverend Daughtry has previously served as Chair of the New York Citywide African-American Clergy Council, African American Clergy and Elected Officials, and the Association of Brooklyn Clergy for Community Development, which built and renovated more than 500 units of housing for low- and middle-income families in Brooklyn. 

His commitment to global human rights and self-determination has led Rev. Daughtry to travel and lecture extensively around the world, and he has participated in dozens of international conferences and conventions, including speaking at United Nations subcommittee meetings regarding South African apartheid, Cuba, the Middle East, and the state of U.S. civil rights.

Currently, Reverend Daughtry is one of a handful of community leaders working with Forest City Ratner Companies to build Atlantic Yards, a $5 billion complex that includes a 19,000 seat arena to house the New York Nets.  Daughtry was instrumental in the creation of the landmark Atlantic Yards Community Benefits Agreement that ensures delivery of a wide variety of services to the Brooklyn community, including a state-of-the-art health facility, an intergenerational center, and a community foundation as well as housing opportunities for low- and middle-income New Yorkers, construction jobs for minorities and women, and thousands of other employment opportunities.

Ordained to the Ministry in 1958, Reverend Daughtry was installed as the third National Presiding Minister of The House of the Lord Churches in October 1959.  His father, Alonzo, had served as the Church's founder and first Presiding Minister.  Daughtry has pastored the Brooklyn congregation since 1958.  In 2010, he established a Jersey City branch of the Church, and he also serves as pastor there.

In the field of religion, he has served in various capacities with the World Council of Churches; has studied and done research at the Theological Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland; and has been the preacher in residence at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Rev. Daughtry has also lectured at Harvard University School of Divinity and at both Union and New York Theological Seminaries in New York City. Additionally, he was one of the principal lecturers at the 150th anniversary of the Virginia Theological Seminary and his lecture, “A Theology of Black Liberation: the Who, What and How,” was published in the school’s journal.

Rev. Daughtry is a prolific author. His book, No Monopoly on Suffering: Blacks and Jews in Crown Heights and Elsewhere, published by Africa World Press in 1997 with a foreword by Dr. Cornel West, gives a chronology of the building of a movement in Brooklyn which can serve as a guide for the empowerment of any people. His other books include My Beloved Community, published by Africa World Press, Effectual Prayer and Dear 2pac: Letters to a Son, published by Seaburn Press. Other publications to his credit include “Jesus Christ: African in Origin, Revolutionary and Redeeming in Action,” “South African Reader,” “Seize the Future,” “From Magnificence to Wretchedness: The Sad Saga of Black Humanity,” “Inside the Storm: A Report on the Uprising in Crown Heights,” and another work on Tupac Shakur – who joined his congregation at the early age of 11 – entitled, “A Seed Planted in Stone: The Life and Times of Tupac Shakur.” 

The pastor appeared in Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues as the minister who married Bleak Gilliam (Denzel Washington) and Indigo Downes (Joie Lee).

Reverend Daughtry is married to Reverend Dr. Karen Smith Daughtry.  They have four adult children:  Leah, Sharon, Dawnique, and Herbert, Jr; and three grandsons, Lorenzo, Herbert III, and Myles.

http://holc.bluestatedigital.com/pages/presiding-minister

http://www.holnj.org/nationalpresider.html

Bishop Dr. Matthew M. Odum, Sr…..Pastor,Author,Community Leader,Committed Vessel of God

Dr. Odum is an alumnus of Savannah State College (now University) where he majored in English Literature. He also holds both a master’s degree as well as a doctorate from Covington Theological Seminary where his concentration was in African-American Religious Studies. Dr. Odum was consecrated a bishop in the Lord’s Church in June 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. An accomplished and gifted orator, Dr. Odum has traveled all over the nation, preaching a practical, powerful and provocative message that serves to convict, convince, and convert men and women into the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Odum has been extremely active in his native Savannah; serving on various boards and ministries, writing for a local paper, as well as carrying the torch of the gospel message to any that would receive it. He has been commended by the Georgia State House of Representatives at least twice for being an excellent spiritual and community leader. A lover of God’s people, he is a dedicated pastor and a staunch student of the Word of God.

March 2012 marked a significant milestone for Dr. Odum with the release of his first book entitled, “Mending Nets” [The Often Misunderstood and Undervalued Ministry of Reconciliation and Restoration]. In Mending Nets, Dr. Odum challenges the church to change its perspective on evangelism, if necessary-and complete the job to which God has called us.

Rev. Dr. Odum is married to Sis. Sheila J. Odum, and they are the proud parents of three children: Tiffanie, Brittanie and Matthew II; and the grandparents of one grandchild, Christian. He is the son of Mrs. Mary Lou Odum and the late Mr. Willie B. Odum.

Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Odum is the senior pastor of The Temple of Glory Community Church in Savannah, Georgia. For twenty-eight (28) years, Rev. Odum has served in the capacity of pastor/teacher and has guided this congregation to a greater appreciation for Kingdom excellence and integrity. Upon his arrival in 1985, the Temple of Glory (formerly Garvin Temple Baptist Church) was a congregation of 200 members. She is now an assembly of over 1800, and the Lord continues to bless the work of this unique ministry through the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit along with this committed vessel of God.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/Archives/19951996/leg/fulltext/hr68.htm

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/Archives/19971998/leg/fulltext/hr915.htm

http://www.mmodumministries.com/matthew-odum

Rev. Rodney M.Hunter…Pastor,Community Leader and Activist

This is Pastor Rodney M Hunter(from Newport News,VA) of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Richmond,VA who received a leadership and activism award from the Progressive Democrats of America on May 15, 2011. He has served as chairperson of the Juvenile Court Volunteers Program, and member of the Board of The Society of Saint Andrew Gleaning Network, and the Home Reparation Project. Rev. Hunter works with outreach ministries involving parenting and families and has traveled overseas on peace missions. He also hosts the "House of Love radio broadcast on WFTH 1590 AM on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Rodney-Hunter/1424861607

http://www.examiner.com/article/progressive-democrats-salute-richmond-activists

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0FDbk2Q_aZA

Reverend Willie Woodson...Mentor,Educator,Pastor,Radio Evangelist,Community Leader,Air Force Veteran

Reverend Willie Woodson is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology of Virginia Union University and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and a Doctorate in Ministry from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA.

Reverend Woodson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 until his honorable discharge in 1971.

Reverend Woodson pastors the congregation of First United Presbyterian Church, North Avenue, Richmond, where he has served for twenty-seven years. Several ministries have been developed or re-developed during his administration, namely, engaging the congregation in a mission study called “Vision For A Vital Church”, broadening the concept and ministry of Christian Education, introducing and supporting the congregation through a year-long study on “How to Become A Tithing Church”; supporting a new approach to evangelism; initiating a Summer Day Camp; improving the Youth and Children’s Ministry; and initiating plans for a new Community/Educational building.

He is the past President of the Richmond Committee of Ecumenical Clergy. Rev. Woodson has served on the Mission Organizational Task Force during the restructuring of the Presbytery of the James, Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Salt Lake City, Utah and on the Search Committee for the General Presbyter of the Presbytery of the James. He facilitated a mission study and developed a Day Care Center for Thyne Memorial Presbyterian Church, Chase City, Virginia. He is a supervisor with the Office of Field Education and Placement of Students from Union Presbyterian Seminary and Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University. He is the past Moderator of the Black Caucus of the Presbytery of the James. Rev. Woodson served on the Redevelopment and Revitalization Committee of the Presbytery of the James. He also has participated on mission studies in Guatemala and Nicaragua in Central America, China, Korea, and Ghana, West Africa.

While his church duties keep him very busy, he still finds time to contribute to the Richmond Community. He served on the Richmond Public School’s Strategic Planning Group, Commission on Architectural Review Board, Board of Directors of “One To One Mentorship and many more. He is a Lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Chaplain of Richmond Crusade for Voters. He has served on the Commission on Crime. Rev. Woodson was an adjunct instructor for University of Lynchburg, Petersburg site, teaching Evangelism and Missions.

He was a member on the Board off Directors for Boaz and Ruth and Noah (Northside Outreach Affordable Housing). Rev. Woodson also has mentored students at Henderson Middle School. While serving as Executive Director of Living the Dream, Inc. for ten years, the name of the organization was changed from Martin Luther King Community Learning Week to Living the Dream, Inc. with a new organizational structure, as well as vision and mission statements. Living the Dream, Inc has been extended to a year round program with emphasis on a two year “Youth Leadership Development Program”. 

Reverend Woodson is the author of the booklet “Can I Get A Witness”, co-author of “Beams of Heaven As I Go”, author of “Contextually Grounded Evangelism” and inventor of a board game called “Christo”. He was honored to render the eulogy for the last surviving "Buffalo Soldier", Trooper Jones Morgan. Rev. Woodson was the receipt of Verizon’s Humanitarian Award in 2008. He participated on The Institute For Reformed Theology Colloquy for 2006, “Race and the Reformed Tradition”, a Week Seminar on Evangelism sponsored by Billy Graham Crusade in November, 2006

Rev. Woodson was an instructor for Virginia University of Lynchburg, Petersburg site teaching Evangelism and Missions.

http://www.heartenchantersministries.org/founder.html

http://blacktalkradionetwork.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-word-from-god-with-pastor-willie.html