Retreat Host

Pastor Michael A. Stevens, Sr. is a man of God who passionately pursues the promises of the Father in Heaven concerning life, success, and faithfulness. It was in 1994 that he founded the University City Church of God in Christ – www.universitycitychurch.tv, formerly Full Gospel Fellowship. Beginning with only 2 members, this life changing and impactful ministry has surpassed 1,500 members in just 15 years of ministry. Pastor Stevens is also a Superintendent in the Church of God in Christ, Inc.

He is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (1992) located in Greensboro, NC where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Political Studies. Additionally, he has received a Masters of Practical Theology degree from Oral Roberts University, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry at Regent University. Pastor Stevens serves on the Executive Boards of both the General Council of Pastors and Elders, the National Church Growth Conference of the Church of God in Christ as well as the North Carolina State Director for Christians United for Israel (CUFI) .

 

Furthermore, Pastor Stevens is committed to the discovery and development of personal purpose and positioning for the lives of young leaders. A global visionary, Pastor Stevens has been privileged to preach coast-to-coast and abroad in such countries as Bermuda, Kenya, Belize, Israel, Peru and Cape Town, South Africa.

Pastor Stevens is married to his college sweetheart, Sharon, and together they have been blessed with three children, Michael Anthony Jr., Matthew Courtlin, and Charisma Lindsey.

Invited Guest Speakers 

Apostle Otis Lockett

Apostle Otis Lockett, Sr. shares the gospel with a practical presentation and communicates with unmistakable clarity as he motivates and challenges people from every walk of life to strive for excellence in every area of their lives - www.evangelword.org .

Through hard work and dedication to pursuing excellence in education, Apostle Lockett, a native of Cincinnati, OH has received two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Psychology and Sociology, a Masters Degree in Counseling Education, Honorary Doctorate Degree and most recently an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree.

Apostle Lockett, a true visionary, is the founder of Evangel Fellowship Word Ministries Inc., a multi-racial ministry where he serves as the Senior Pastor.  He is also the author of the book “Understanding Your Divine Calling”. A practical book designed to lead you into the divine revelation of discovering your distinct and unique calling in life. Additionally, Apostle Lockett provides Apostolic covering to the Greater Piedmont District churches, which involves over 29 covenant churches.

First Lady Barbara Lockett

First Lady Barbara T. Lockett is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina where she assists her husband in ministry at the Evangel Fellowship Church of God in Christ, a thriving 2,500+ member ministry.

At Evangel Fellowship COGIC, First Lady Lockett oversees the Women’s Ministry, serves as District Missionary of the NC Greater Piedmont District of the Churches of God in Christ, and is the founder of WIM (Women in Ministry), an organization for the encouragement and enrichment of all women.

First Lady Barbara T. Lockett shares the gospel with a practical presentation and communicates with unmistakable clarity as they motivate and challenge people from every walk of life to strive for excellence in every area of their lives - www.evangelword.org.

Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin

Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin was born on April 20, 1957 to Monroe and Elease McLaughlin. He attended the public schools of Jacksonville, Florida graduating from William M . Raines Senior High School. He attended the University of Tampa, and later transferred to the University of Tennessee. He holds a Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Theology from North Florida Theological Seminary - .

In 1988 he founded The Potter's House Christian Fellowship. Starting with only about 40 members, today the Potter’s house is home to well over 4,000 members. Bishop McLaughlin reaches the masses through daily radio as well and numerous outreach ministries. Bishop McLaughlin and the Potter’s House have been acknowledged and awarded by local, state and federal agencies for its outstanding and consistent work in the area of jails and prisons, nursing home and hospital ministry - www.potters-house.org.

 

Superintendent Patrick Wooden

Superintendent Patrick Wooden is currently the Pastor of Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina where he has served for 18 years. Due to the phenomenal growth of the ministry, in 1992 God led him to build the first COGIC sanctuary in Raleigh and in 1996 he led the church in building its current sanctuary, a 2,000 seat edifice. Under his leadership the Upper Room church has reached a membership to over 2,400, and is steadily growing.

His allegiance to Christianity esteems him as a great Christian apologist and places him on the frontlines of religious battle, where he continues to promote Jesus Christ into all spectrums of society. His involvement in societal issues such as fighting the homosexual agenda, protecting traditional marriage and the Keeping Christ in Christmas Campaign, has flooded him into mainstream media. Most recent and notably, he has been featured on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, The O'Reilly Factor and a host of local and national radio stations. Pastor Wooden serves as Superintendent of the Greater Central District and is the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop Leroy J. Woolard in the Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction - www.plwooden.org .

 

Valerie G. Lowe

Valerie G. Lowe is an award-winning journalist and associate editor with Charisma magazine. She lives in central Florida - www.charismamag.com .

Though she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Florida A&M University, Valerie embarked on a career in education so she would be able to devote her time and attention to her daughter.  She spent seven years as a high school career counselor and teacher with Orange County Public Schools.  As an educator, she launched a successful student-led prayer team where she witnessed the power of God in the lives of teenagers.

Valerie founded Keep the Faith Single Moms Ministry five years ago after reporting on the plight of single moms. She continues to minister in churches, conferences, women’s events and in secular settings.  She is a member of New Life Church of Orlando Church of God in Christ, pastored by Chairman Derrick W. Hutchins, and is the executive producer of the church’s radio ministry.

Pastor Roger Hoyle

Pastor Roger Hoyle is a native of Gastonia, NC. He holds a B.S. Degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University, Decatur, GA (1988 ). He served as the senior pastor of three churches in the A.M.E. Zion denomination from 1996 through 2002.

In January, 2003, Pastor Hoyle transitioned to University City Church of God in Christ.  His greatest desire is to be an instrument of the Lord Jesus Christ, maximizing the Kingly mantle (financing Kingdom building), and the priestly mantle, (teaching and preaching the gospel), to which he has been called.  He serves faithfully in ministry under the leadership of his spiritual father in the gospel and Pastor, Michael A. Stevens, Sr.

Pastor Hoyle is also founder and president of Vision Quest Solutions, Inc., a software consulting company.  As an Independent Contractor, he serves as a Senior Consultant on the finance team of a Naval Enterprise Resource Planning project in Annapolis, MD.  He has been happily married to his wife and best friend, Marilyn, for 15 years.  Together they enjoy not only volunteering in ministry, but traveling, health and fitness activities, and Friday “date nights.”

Jacque Thomas

Jacques Thomas brings more than 20 years of production experience and a burning desire for ministry to his role as Director of Ministry Development for Ben Cerullo Ministries. In this role, Thomas oversees all ministry-related activities for Ben Cerullo Ministries, including planning and directing international ministry events and overseeing the creation and development of television and new media content.

Thomas is known by many as the "right-hand man" of Ben Cerullo Ministries' founder and international evangelist Ben Cerullo. Thomas was at Cerullo's side when he founded the popular youth/young adult ministry Steelroots in 2000. During this time, he served as a producer, managing the creation and production of a staple of groundbreaking, award-winning television and Web programs that included "The Steelroots Show," "Mixx Master's Lounge," "Countdown," and timely specials that merged faith, extreme sports, and youth culture.

Thomas has served at Ben Cerullo Ministries/Steelroots parent company Inspiration Ministries for more than 15 years, progressing from production assistant, to associate producer, producer, and now Director of Ministry Development for Ben Cerullo Ministries, which launched in 2007 - www.insp.com.