Senior Associate Facilitates Preaching Experience With Black Christian Women In Atlanta

​On the evening of May 19, 2026, the gathering took place at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams serves as Senior Pastor. More than 20 participants gathered in the church’s office and classroom area. The event began with prayer and a delicious buffet of assorted foods provided by Kay's Vision, a local Black woman-owned catering company.

Dr. Anthony D. Bobo, Jr., Senior Associate of The Joseph Factor Group and Program Director of Influential Global, called the group to order, and participants introduced themselves. Those in attendance included women pastors, church planters, ministry leaders from around the city, and members of the Nazarene Theological Seminary’s Black Leadership in Ministry Third Cohort.

Bobo then set the stage for the gathering’s purpose. “We are here tonight to strengthen our ability to proclaim the Gospel through learning more about the heritage of Black preaching.” He further stated, “The legacy of liberation and justice expressed in Black preaching is a needed voice in today’s culture.” Bobo concluded with the question, “Are we aiming to be successful or significant? Success is usually measured by the ways of man, but significance is based on your call by God!” He then introduced Dr. Efrem Smith, Co-Pastor of Midtown Church and Co-Founder of Influential Global.
Smith began a lecture entitled, “Practices for What You Preach: The Art and Science of Sermon Development.” He invited participants to explore the spiritual, cultural, and theological influences that shape who they are as preachers. Through guided reflection, biblical grounding, and group dialogue, Smith helped participants examine the formation of their preaching identity and how God uses their experiences, theology, cultural context, and spiritual disciplines to shape their voice as they proclaim the Gospel.

The goal of the session was for participants to grow in self-awareness, theological grounding, and cultural consciousness, while deepening their understanding of how personal and communal formation affects preaching in the Black Church context. Smith stated, “My preaching was shaped by going through my grandmother’s records. She had Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Clay Evans, as well as Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. It taught me not only about the Gospel, but also the power of humor to communicate. I use both in my preaching today.”
Participants then engaged in discussion and asked questions about preaching, ministry, and church planting. Bobo later presented an array of books designed to aid participants in understanding the Black Church, womanist theology, leadership, and multiethnic church planting. He also informed participants that they would receive additional information, be invited to join the Preacher’s Circle, and have access to one-on-one coaching opportunities.

The session concluded with Bishop Robert Owens, Founder of Rivers of Life and an Influential Global team member, thanking participants for attending and committing to support them in their Kingdom work. “We are here to be your Aaron and your Hur, to lift up your arms as you stand for God” (Exodus 17:8–13). Owens then prayed, and the gathering ended with laughter, fellowship, and love.
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The evening served as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultivating and supporting Black women in ministry and preaching. Through teaching, fellowship, mentorship, and shared experiences, participants were encouraged to embrace their God-given voice and calling within the rich tradition of Black preaching. The gathering reflected Influential Global’s ongoing commitment to equipping leaders who will faithfully proclaim the Gospel while engaging culture with truth, compassion, and prophetic courage.

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