Schedule-at-a-Glance

Friday, January 13

9:00 AM – Youth Summit
12:30 PM – Executive Leadership Council
5:00 PM – District Meetings
7:00 PM – Breakthrough Night – Holy Redeemer COGIC

Saturday, January 14

7:30 AM – Registration Open
8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM – Morning Orison and Plenary Session 
10:20 AM – Summit In Training – Session 1
11:30 AM – Summit In Training – Session 2
12:40 AM – Closing Plenary Session and Luncheon

Bishop Linwood Dillard

Breakthrough Night Speaker

Pastor Shammond Scales

Youth Summit Speaker

Bishop Craig L. Oliver

Morning Orison and Plenary Session Speaker

Bishop Linwood Dillard

Bishop Linwood Dillard, Jr. is the proud Founding Pastor of the Citadel of Deliverance Church of God in Christ, one of the most thriving and fast growing ministries in the Memphis area. He is happily married to the lovely and most gracious Mrs. Stephanie Marie Dillard. They are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters-Faith Marie and Joy Marie; and one handsome son-Linwood, III.

Since the age of 15, the anointing on Bishop Dillard’s life has affected many lives through his evangelistic, deliverance, and pastoral ministries. Countless souls have been saved, sick bodies have been healed, and lives have been changed. That ministry has transcended social, racial, economical, and denominational barriers. The relevant and timely message God has given him has been embraced by both the older and younger generations and he has been given the opportunity to be the guest speaker and lecturer at various colleges and social organizations. Pastor Dillard is also an anointed musician, author, administrator, businessman, director, and has been recognized for his leadership skills and organizational abilities in the religious and social communities. Since his teen years, Bishop Dillard has worked in almost every conceivable capacity in the church.

Bishop Dillard successfully served as Youth Department President and Chairman of the Jurisdictional AIM Convention for the Tennessee Central Jurisdiction COGIC. Bishop W.L. Porter. Currently, he serves the jurisdiction as Executive Assistant to the Bishop. Also, he faithfully served as a Regional Director and Executive Secretary of the Church of God in Christ International Youth Department (IYD) under two administrations. In 2006, the former Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, the late Bishop G.E. Patterson, appointed Pastor Dillard as the Assistant Secretary of the COGIC National Tithing Fund Commission. In 2009, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake appointed Bishop Linwood Dillard as the President of the International Youth Department of COGIC. Under the innovative leadership and extensive plan of Bishop Dillard, the department has taken a quantum leap into the 21st Century utilized technology, a contemporary organizational structure and a “team” strategy to meet the challenges of today’s youth. Bishop Dillard has proposed and implemented the development of a strategic plan for the department as well as developed commissions to meet the ever changing environment that our youth deal with daily. Those commissions and ministries include Young Adult Ministries, Education, Juvenile Crime Prevention and Reduction, Recreation and Organized Sports, Information Technology, Spiritual Empowerment, College and Career Preparatory, College Campus Ministries, Youth Pastors Network, Young Preachers Network, and many others.

Bisho Dillard holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering with Chemical and Environmental Concentrations from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has an extensive background in engineering, administration, and management. Pastor Dillard has served in local and regional chapter leadership elected roles in various social and community organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Society of Black Engineers, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and many more. Elder Dillard has received numerous awards, recognitions, and commendations for his academic, ministerial, and social involvement and accomplishments. In February 2006, he was selected by EBONY Magazine as one of 30 young leaders under the age of 30 who are soaring to tremendous heights, giving back to the community, and making accomplishments in the areas of law, politics, religion, communications, academia, music, arts and entertainment.

Pastor Shammond Scales

Pastor Shamond Scales is an anointed prophetic voice for this generation. He has been afforded the opportunity of ministering the Gospel around the country and the world for over 20 years.

He is a servant, worshipper, prophet, and the proud Lead Pastor iNspire Church of Jacksonville and Associate Pastor/Successor of Inspirational Bible Church of Cincinnati. Shamond Scales is the husband of Brittany Scales and the proud father of Londyn, Alexandria, Asaph, Shamond Jr, and Benjamin.

Along with his preaching ministry, he is a singer/songwriter who has been afforded the opportunity to be featured on many award winning projects.

Pastor Shamond Scales has a strong desire to be a generational bridge that connects people of all ages and backgrounds to the move of the Spirit of God.

Bishop Craig L. Oliver

Who am I, what I do

As Senior Pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church, Dr. Craig L. Oliver’s passionate yet pedagogic approach to preaching touches the hearts, fortifies the spirits and transforms the minds of believers and non-believers across the world. With a faith rooted and grounded in the Word of God, he desires to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the R.E.A.L. Experience – Restoring Hope, Empowering People, Advancing the Kingdom, and Leaving a Legacy.

Dr. Oliver’s 24 years of ministry have been anointed by God and personifies Ephesians 3:20 - “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”. Since receiving and accepting his calling at the young age of 16 and becoming pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church at the age of 21, Dr. Craig L. Oliver, Sr. has seen the hand of God expand His church by over 16,000 members and five locations within the Metro Atlanta area. Under his leadership, the church has completed mission work within the local Atlanta community and abroad in over six countries with more on the horizon. His exegetical style of preaching connects with the hearts of those desperate for the unadulterated truth of God’s Word through weekly television broadcasts and through the Internet. Dr. Oliver carefully marries the tradition of sound preaching with the understanding that as Jesus met those in need where they were, so should we.

 

Though this dynamic man of God has received a myriad of accolades and has a multitude of degrees, including Master of Arts Degrees in Biblical/Theological Studies and Leadership from Luther Rice Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate Degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, he delivers practical points at six weekly services, knowing that the best sermon ever heard is the last one that is actually put into practice.

But at the heart of this great man of God is his love for his family. Pastor Oliver’s joy and balance is his wife, First Lady Chi’Ira and three beautiful children; son Craig Jr. and daughters Corrie Kené and Charlee Reign. As a dynamic ministry family, they are dedicated servants of God, and stand as a testament to what God can do in the lives of true believers!