Education

• Ph.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1999
• M.A.C.E., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1995
• B.B.A., The University of Memphis, 1991

Teaching Experience

• Assistant Professor of Christian Education, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004-present
• Assistant Professor of Leadership and Church Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002-2004
• Assistant Professor of Christian Education, Bryan College, 1998-2002

Teaching Specializations

• Youth Ministry, Collegiate Ministry, Youth Culture, Teaching/Learning

Ministry Experience

• Discipleship Pastor, Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Present
• Administrative Pastor, First Baptist Church, Kenner, Louisiana, 2005
• Minister of Youth and Family Life, First Baptist Church, Houma, Louisiana, 1995-1998
• Minister of Youth and Education, First Baptist Church, Abita Springs, LA 1994-1995
• Minister of Youth, Balmoral Baptist Church, Balmoral Baptist Church, Memphis, TN 1992-1993
• Youth Ministry Assistant, Hickory Ridge Baptist Church, Memphis, TN 1990-1991

Publications

Dissertation

• Dissertation: “An Exploratory Study of the Relationship Between the Multiple Intelligences and the Preferred Teaching Methods of Selected Youth Ministers.”

Books

• Ten Things You Ought to Know about Today's Teenagers (working title). Birmingham: Clarity Publishing, anticipated release Summer 2008.
• "Who Teenagers Think God Is..." in Transforming Student Ministry: Research Calling for Change. Nashville, LifeWay, to be released June 2005
• Vital Skills: How to Respond to Culture. Nashville: LifeWay, 2004.
• "Fellowship" in Basic Student Ministry in the Kingdom Focused Church. Nashville: LifeWay 2003.

Articles

• "Parenting a Postmodern Teenager." Living with Teenagers, Nashville: LifeWay, November 2006.
• "Reality Television: The Real World or Fantasy Island." Youth Ministry Update, Nashville: LifeWay, August 2003.
• Creative Consultant, Family Bible Series – Older Youth, Nashville: LifeWay, March 2003.
• “Deconstructing Media Messages.” Youth Ministry Update, Nashville: LifeWay, January 2003.
• “Different Children, Different Needs.” Living with Teenagers, Nashville: LifeWay, September 2002.
• “Defending the Faith.” Essential Connection, Nashville, LifeWay, 2002.
• “Media Influence on Teens – Youth Minister Version” Centrifuge Adult Track Curriculum, Nashville: LifeWay, June 2002.
• “Media Influence on Teens – Youth Worker Version” Centrifuge Adult Track Curriculum, Nashville: LifeWay, June 2002.
• “How to Encourage Your Teen’s Faith Journey.” Living with Teenagers, Nashville: LifeWay, January 2002.
• “Media and Aggression.” Youth Ministry Update, 11, Nashville: LifeWay, 2001.
• “Sharpening Your Focus: Identifying Students’ Personal Learning Styles.” Youth Ministry Update, 16, Nashville: LifeWay, 2001.
• “Creation: Where Did We Come From?” Summer Youth Celebration Bible Study Curriculum, Nashville: LifeWay, 2001.
• “The Fall: What Has Gone Wrong?” Summer Youth Celebration Bible Study Curriculum, Nashville: LifeWay, 2001.
• “Restoration: A Worldview Perspective.” Summer Youth Celebration Bible Study Curriculum, Nashville: LifeWay, 2001.
• “Running for the Prize.” From The Heart of a Lion, Dayton, TN: Bryan College Press, 2000.
• Manuscript Consultant for Allen Jackson and Richard Barnes. Teaching Youth: Leaders, Lessons, and Lifestyles, Nashville: LifeWay, 2000.

Presentations

• "Biblically Centered Youth Ministry." Critical Concerns Course presented with Allen Jackson at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers' Conventions, 2007
• "The Role of Biblical Truth in Student Ministry." Seminar presented at the Give Me an Answer Collegiate Conference at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, 2004.
• With R. A. Jackson and J. Graham “Analysis of Aggression in Adolescents.” Paper presented at the Youth Ministry Educators' Forum, Toronto, Canada, 2000.
• “Multiple Intelligences: Implications for Youth Ministry Education.” Paper presented at the Youth Ministry Educators’ Forum, San Diego, California, 1999.
• “Understanding Cults.” Seminar presented at The Summit Ministries Conference, Dayton, Tennessee, 2000.
• Various youth ministry training presentations on topics including media literacy, youth culture, and teaching youth
• Conference leader -- training adult volunteers, Sunday school workers, and youth ministers --1996 to present
• Youth camp and Retreat Speaker, 1996 to present

Academic Honors

• Richard T. Battle Scholarship, Tennessee Baptist Foundation, 1993-95
• Outstanding Student Award, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Division of Christian Education Ministries, 1995

Memberships and Associations

• National Network of Youth Ministries
• Association of Youth Ministry Educators
• Baptist Association of Christian Educators (formerly SBREA)
• Southern Baptist Research Fellowship
• North American Professors of Christian Education

Personal Information

• Married to Denise Leatherwood - July 20, 1991.
• Bachelor of Arts: English, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee, 1989.
• Taught English and Gifted education for 13 years
• Children – Erick (Born July 14, 2002) and anticipating second child through international adoption