Speakers for the 2009 Conference

Keynote Speaker: Herman Wesley – Montgomery, AL

Herman E. Wesley III is a native of Newark, New Jersey who was educated in the public school system of Plainfield, New Jersey, and attended college in Terrell, Texas where he received an Associate’s Degree from Southwestern Christian College, continuing his undergraduate studies at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where in 1989 he earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible and Church Growth. In 2002 he completed his studies with the National Academy of Christian Studies in Fort Worth, Texas and was awarded the Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies and Church Growth. He is the “preaching son” of Evangelist Eugene Lawton and the Newark Church of Christ in Newark, New Jersey.

For eight years he served as Minister to the Southside Church of Christ in Montgomery, Alabama, through which he initiated a weekly television broadcast, three radio broadcasts, community service programming and many capital improvements. This congregation, under his leadership, grew from 175 to over 550 members.  In August 2004 he planted the NorthPointe Church of Christ, where he now serves. This congregation of saints models a servant’s spirit and seeks to reach out, in a comprehensive fashion, to empower people for living today, and to present to people the message that will prepare them for life tomorrow.  The NorthPointe church has a very vibrant benevolent ministry and an exciting and visionary outreach ministry. Since moving into their new facility three years ago, they have witnessed over 80 persons accepting Christ as Lord through baptism. In February 2007 he and his wife were the personal guests of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., where he was invited to pray with President George W. Bush, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Peter Pace, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.  He was the only minister invited from the State of Alabama.

Pertinent to this weekend's workshop, while ministering in Denton, Texas Herman developed strong college ministries associated with the University of North Texas and Texas Women's University.  While in Montgomery at the Southside Church, the congregation also developed and maintained a strong campus outreach with Faulkner University and Alabama State University.

Herman is married to Sonja, and they have been together for 24 years. They have two sons, Brandon JeMarcus and Christian Rischard.

 

Additional Speakers : Brandon Odoi, Lea Pearsall

 

Lea Pearsall is a no non sense solution focused  Christian Dating and Relationship Coach.  Her approach to Date Coaching is to focus on the wholeness of self.  Lea’s creative tactics has allowed her to be successful in helping individuals as well as couples to awaken there spiritual awareness; hence, they learn to better understand self and others.  Ms. Pearsall has made several appearances on WRFG 89.3 advising callers on dating and relationship issues.  She has also appeared on online TV show “Hear Me Out”  as an expert panelist on dating.

She has helped hundreds of people through TV, radio, workshops and one on one sessions.
Through spiritual guidance and the utilization of her gifts for clarity and discernment, Ms. Pearsall helps her clients to find successful, meaningful, and lasting relationships starting with self and then others. 

Ms. Pearsall is not only active in her business she is dedicated to serving her community.  She is a volunteer for transitional homes that house recovering addicts and ex convicts that are eager to restore their lives.  Her love for children has sparked her willingness to give her time toward advocating for young children in child development and human services.  Additionally, she mentors teen girls regarding self respect, abstinence and courtship, and she volunteers her services as Co-Coordinator for the Singles’ Ministry at Camp Creek Church of Christ.

Lea has a BS in Human Services and specializes in Crisis Management and Mediation.  Ms. Pearsall is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.  She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Brandon Odoi  is a native of Atlanta, Georgia who was added to the body of Christ in March of 1996 at the Greenbriar Church of Christ in Atlanta, GA under the teaching of Bro. Dr. Howard Wright.  He currently resides in North Miami, FL and is a faithful member of the Pembroke Park Church of Christ where Bro. Alvin L. Daniels, Jr. is the minister. 

As an active member of the Pembroke Park congregation, Brandon holds a ministry leader position and is a part of several committees within the church body.  In May of 2008 he began working as the Television Ministry leader.  Pembroke Park’s Television ministry produces a weekly television broadcast available to all South Florida viewers on Saturday mornings on My 33-WBFS called Sure Foundation. 

In addition to the television ministry, Brandon is a coordinator for the Young Adult Ministry (YAM), a member of the New Building Project Finance Committee, an instructor for the Pembroke Park Youth Academy and a participant in the “Servants in Training” (S.I.T.) program for young adult brothers.

As a speaker, Brandon has traveled across the country and received national recognition.  He was crowned Mr. Congeniality at the 1997 National Youth Conference in Searcy, AK at Harding University.  He also was a keynote speaker at the 1998 Georgia State Youth Conference.    

Brandon has been involved with the National College Conference since its inception in 2005.  During the 2nd Annual National College Conference, he worked as the co-director of Marketing and Publicity traveling all over the southeast to promote the conference.  Brandon is excited about speaking during this year’s conference on the topic: Under the Influence. 

Currently, Brandon works as a motivational speaker and owns his own media business.