KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Bro. Olu J. Shabazz serves as the evangelist of the Harlem Church of Christ in New York City, New York, where he has labored for 23 years. Widely recognized as a national evangelist for the Churches of Christ, Bro. Shabazz has preached the gospel in 38 states and five foreign nations. Throughout the brotherhood, Bro. Shabazz is known as a church builder, sharp administrator, and skilled biblical exegete.
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During his tenure, Bro. Shabazz served as minister for three congregations. Bro. Shabazz labored for 12 years as minister of the Boulevard Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. While there, the congregation grew from 125 active members to 750 active members within an eight-year span. Then Bro. Shabazz served six years as minister of the Eastside Church of Christ, located in Pontiac, Michigan. The Eastside congregation grew from 80 to 230 active members in five years. Since serving as minister of the Harlem Church of Christ, Bro. Shabazz has baptized more than 1,000 souls.
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Bro. Shabazz holds multiple educational degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from the esteemed Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from the prestigious Midwestern Christian Institute in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
Additionally, Midwestern Christian Institute awarded Bro. Shabazz an honorary Doctorate of Divinity for his significant contributions to the field of ministry. Driven by his thirst for knowledge, he pursued a master’s in divinity and a doctorate in Ministry from the esteemed Southern Institute of Biblical Studies in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he graduated class valedictorian Summa Cum Laude holding a 4.0 grade point average.
Bro. Shabazz is married to LVR Shabazz. They have seven children, three girls and four boys (two of whom have passed away), and nine grandchildren, along with one great-grandchild.
Bro. Olu Shabazz
Evangelist
Harlem Church of Christ
Harlem, NY
LADIES PROGRAM SPEAKER
Sis. Alinda Saunders Gadson is a member of the Carver Road Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, NC, where she has attended for more than 40 years.
She declares the praises of Jesus through the many gifts He bestowed upon her as she has happily served in many areas at her congregation. Sis. Gadson is a gifted singer, who sang with the renowned group WCTS for many years, and many others. She is also a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, songwriter, event designer, choir director, Single Ladies’ Bible class teacher, Sunday school teacher, Ladies Day Chair, and Decoration Committee Chair.
Throughout the years, and to this day, Sis. Gadson is invited to speak and sing at many ladies’ days, conferences, and programs. She is known for her enthusiastic and powerful delivery as a songstress and speaker. Sis. Gadson gives all the praise and glory to God for all these gifts and opportunities. She believes that all good and perfect gifts come from above, and if you don’t use it, you will lose it.
At this season in her life as a mature person, Sis. Gadson seeks to set a Christian example of God’s grace and mercy through her testimony, not only to mature saints, but to all ages and generations. Her number one goal in life is to glorify Jesus through her gifts, and to lead others to Christ.
Sis. Gadson is married to Deacon James Gadson and is the proud mother of three daughters, Nikki, Tamara, and Jamie, who all sing with the famous COC group, Soul Purposed. She also has three grandsons, Elijah, Malachi and Josiah, and one great-grandson, Zoryn.
Sis. Alinda Gadson
Carver Road Church of Christ
Winston-Salem, NC