DEBORAH LEE BARRETT (Lead Strategist)
Deborah is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where she raised two daughters and now enjoys three precious grandchildren. Having grown up in an underserved community, Deborah is familiar with its challenges and has committed her life to serving and empowering these populations. Over the years she launched various in-reach and outreach ministries in churches and civic organizations. Her professional life was also devoted to working with nonprofit organizations that impact these communities through education, economic development and empowerment programs. The passion to empower underserved populations included foreign missions. She began serving abroad in her early 20’s in Curacao, Greece and India. Other opportunities included South Africa and Brazil. After becoming an empty-nester, she was invited to serve in Lusaka, Zambia and host an empowerment team to Kampala, Uganda.
Deborah founded Catalyst Empowerment Group, LLC in 2014, and responded to a divine summons to steward a new assignment in 2018, which became Catapult Global, Inc. The mandate of these two organizations is to develop servant-leaders of all ages and impact nations through various empowerment strategies. In 2012 she was recipient of The Esther Award presented by the National Coalition of Women in Ministry, and will be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humanitarianism and an International Chaplain Certification from the U.N. Embassy Consulate General Assembly in 2020. Deborah received undergrad degrees in Organization Leadership and Practical Ministries, and was previously ordained as a minister, elder, and authorized teacher of Christian Education. She is a certified John Maxwell Team leadership trainer and coach, and also facilitates Habitudes (leadership habits and attitudes) training for next-generation leaders.
PASTOR DARRYL BAKER
A native Chicagoan, mentor, speaker, teacher, advocate for men, and proponent for traditional marriage. He encourages men to embrace their true God-given identity so they can become stronger men and godly husbands. He has the special ability to speak to the heart issues of men and provide solutions that can change the direction of their lives. Pastor Darryl is also passionate about setting the captives free through deliverance. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor’s in Technical Management. In addition, he is a licensed insurance broker in 49 states. Along with his wife, Pastor Charlotte Baker, he was previously ordained as Minister under Apostle John Eckhardt, and more recently ordained as Pastor of the Marriage Ministry at Life Center Ministries (LCM), under the leadership of Apostle Buddy and Dr. Mary Crum. He and Pastor Charlotte co-founded a non-profit organization, Bridging the Gap Living Independent Resource Center, to assist young people transitioning from foster care.
PASTOR CHARLOTTE BAKER
An author, speaker, trainer, mentor and advocate for the traditional marriage covenant. She has worked in different capacities alongside her husband, Pastor Darryl Baker, to help couples and families identify ways to improve their cohesiveness as a family. She and Pastor Darryl were previously ordained as Ministers under Apostle John Eckhardt, and more recently as Pastors of the Marriage Ministry at the Life Center Ministries (LCM) under the leadership of Apostle Buddy and Dr. Mary Crum. They co-founded Bridging the Gap Independent Living Resource Center where Pastor Charlotte also serves as Director for youth transitioning from foster care. In addition, she has 14+ years as a public school secondary teacher. Pastor Charlotte pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Family and Marriage Counseling. In addition, she authored “Destiny Takes Time” and a soon to be released children’s book. She and Pastor Darryl also co-authored “Marriage Ministry Counselor Training Program” manual.
TIFFANI BAKER
A 15 year old native Chicagoan and daughter of Pastors Darryl and Charlotte Baker. She is an up and coming author, entrepreneur, dancer, creative artist and violinist. During the past several years she has pursued entrepreneurial ventures with the sale of her handmade crochet items and paintings. Tiffani has consistently maintained a high grade point average and has been on the honor roll since primary school. She was inducted as a member of the BETA Club and National Junior Honor Society, and was Valedictorian of her 8th grade class. Tiffani is currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at her high school where she is also a member of the Concert Orchestra. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Howard University and then medical school to pursue her passion of becoming a Naturopathic Doctor. Tiffani is a next-generation leader who is not only endowed with exceptional gifts, but also possesses an “excellent spirit.”
TONY BROWN
As an Alternative Investments Research Analyst at Advisor Group, Tony researches and conducts due diligence for alternative investment funds and structured products while serving as an Adjunct Professor for classroom and online finance courses. Prior to joining Advisor Group, he served as Senior Credit and Financial Analyst in Morgan Stanley’s Technology Business Develop Group. Tony has an expansive background in finance, including working as a Leveraged Loan Trader at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey where he co-managed a proprietary leveraged loan trading book, in private equity at Enron Investment Partners, and in corporate finance and trading at Enron Capital & Trade Resources. He received a Bachelors and MBA from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in Atlanta, Georgia, where he later served as a full time visiting finance instructor and taught undergraduate finance courses. Prior to obtaining his Bachelor of Arts at CAU, Tony served four years in the United States Army with a campaign in Operation Desert Storm & Shield in the 197th Brigade Stryker Battalion. He is the holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation since 2003 and is currently pursuing a Master's in Theology. Tony is a member of the Life Center Ministries in Dunwoody, Georgia where he currently serves on the Prophetic and Supernatural Healing & Deliverance Teams.
SHEILA COOPER
Sheila was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and raised in Columbia (Hopkins), South Carolina where she graduated high school one-year early with honors. Upon graduation, she attended the American College for the Applied Arts in Dunwoody, Georgia. Sheila’s professional background includes over 25 years with leading organizations including HomeBanc Corporation in Dunwoody, Georgia where she served as Loan Processor, and prior to this at Diebold Electronics and Hewlett Packard, both in Atlanta. Her journey led her from corporate America to service-oriented organizations after she began as a missionary at a homeless ministry that reaches out to those who live under the bridges of Atlanta in the heavy drug, prostitution and human trafficking areas of the city. She came into alignment with her heart passions and soon became a part of the missionary staff. After serving for nine years at the homeless ministry, she transitioned to her current place of employment at the Atlanta Hospital Hospitality House, where she currently serves as its Operations Manager. Sheila has served on two mission trips to Cap Haitien and the villages of Acul Samedi, in Haiti. She is a member of the Life Center Ministries in Dunwoody, Georgia where she currently serves on the Supernatural Healing & Deliverance ministry team. Sheila’s desire is to represent Jesus well in any country. Her mission is to help those who have been overlooked, forgotten, or have simply lost their way and are in need of inner healing, restoration and reclaiming of their sense of identity.
MIA FRANCIS
As a Certified Orthopedic Technician and a Specialized Health and Wellness Coach. She has more than 30 years of experience working with all ages emphasizing her focus on natural, herbal and dietary lifestyle adjustments to promote healthy living. Mia has enjoyed numerous opportunities to expedite athletes’ return to sports participation, improve health outcomes with high-risk patient populations and educate clients to make independent healthy choices. She utilizes her broad knowledge and gifting in naturopathic modalities to customize the nutritional and medicinal needs of each individual client, while pursuing ongoing education and certification through the Herbal Academy. Mia previously worked as a Certified Phlebotomist and has 10 years’ experience as an Emergency Medical Technician. She is committed to health and wellness, and uses her positive energy and expertise to motivate clients of all ages to reach their short and long term health goals.
KEITH C. HARRIS
Keith C. Harris is Founder & Chief Mentor of The Harris Institute for Life Learning, located in beautiful View Park, Los Angeles. The HILL focuses on independent life skills training for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The HILL’s extensive evidence based research has resulted in a curriculum that breaks down life skills training into three Tools for Essential Adulting: Basic Skills, Personal Development and Work Skills/Practicum, while maintaining the ever important person-centered emphasis. Known as “The Hype Man For The Underdog & Marginalized”, Keith’s ultimate life mission is to inspire others to overcome and live well. As a native of Chicago, Illinois, he started his career as a bass guitar player and traveled the world expressing his musical gifts with numerous artists. He later studied at Mount Saint Mary's University in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology where he participated in the Applied Psychology Student Organization (APSO) and served as the Psychology Board President and Board Member. He was recently honored with the Mary McLeod Bethune Leadership Award from the National Council of Negro Women. Keith is also passionate about helping people in their health & fitness journey through his online community, Chocolate Fit Club.
CANDACE V. HARRIS
Candace Victoria Harris is a visionary entrepreneur and technology expert. As co-founder and CEO of MYAVANA, a digital hair care company, she used her passion for beauty and technology to create a personalized hair care service that recommends products and regimens based on scientific analysis of your hair. Candace has been recognized for her work on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, WWD’s Top 50 Beauty Innovators, BET Honors STEM Award, Sephora Accelerate Fellow, and featured nationally on CNN’s Small Business Success segment, Marie Claire Magazine’s Next Big Thing in Beauty, ESSENCE Festival, Black Enterprise, Business Insider, and more. She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2011 with a degree in Computer Science, where she was initiated into the ANAK Society, the highest honor at Georgia Tech.
She currently serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Ascend 2020, a technology startup and small business support ecosystem for minority-led companies. She shares her knowledge and insight with other entrepreneurs as an author of The Shift, her first book that helps entrepreneurs gain the spiritual transformation needed to endure and excel on their business journey. She uplifts entrepreneurs internationally through ministry as lead of an Entrepreneurs Bootcamp in Kampala, Uganda every summer.
JUSTIN JONES
Justin is a first- year student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media and Design at Free Chapel College in Gainesville, Georgia. He desires to someday pastor and build a ministry, as his heart lies with helping people and being a servant first. Justin is an avid lover of music and Jesus, and it shows. Everything he does reflects excellence, from Wednesday night youth group to volunteering at a mobile campus. The creative arts is a major way of expression for Justin, and gives him an opportunity to pour into others. He enjoys touching lives and filling people’s heart with the love of God, even through film and photography. He lives to inspire those in his generation to live a life pleasing to Jesus and walk in their creative purpose. His passion lies in the salvation of others and he authentically lives by that. Justin’s often heard saying, “We’re all created in a unique way with a unique calling that only we can fulfill. Stop trying to be like everyone else, they’re taken. Just follow Jesus and inspire others to do the same. It’s all about influence.” He is the youngest of 2 and lives with his parents in Snellville, Georgia. Justin is a faithful member of Prevailing Love Worship & Deliverance Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia where his parents, Apostle Louis and Pastor Kimberly Jones, serve as the senior leaders.
DR. SHARON R. RICHARDSON
A native of Queens, New York. She moved to Atlanta in 1986 and began employment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where she currently serves as Workforce and Career Development Officer, NCIRD. Dr. Sharon is a lifelong learner and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, a Masters in Christian Counseling, and a Doctorate in Christian Leadership and Management. She is also a registered Mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. As a public speaker, Dr. Sharon is an active member of Toastmasters International with the designations of Advanced Communicator Silver, Advanced Leader Bronze, and Royal Toastmasters Club Secretary. Her greatest passion is ministry, and she serves faithfully in various capacities at The Life Center Ministries (LCM) under the leadership of Apostle Buddy and Dr. Mary Crum. At LCM she serves as Elder and Council Member of the Leadership Development Program, and as Director of the church’s Supernatural Healing and Deliverance Ministry team where she frequently conducts workshops, ministry events and leads a team of highly gifted deliverance ministers.
SIMON TARPAV, PHARMD
Simon Tarpav is a minister of the gospel and has labored in the pastoral, evangelistic, missions, healing and deliverance ministries for a combined 34 years. He is a graduate of Mercer University where he received the Doctorate of Pharmacy and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at its College of Pharmacy, as well as at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia. He also precepts students and residents in general clinical pharmacy and pharmacokinetics. Simon is a Board Member and Vice President of Hospitals for Humanity and a former Board Member of the Governor’s Pharmacy Advisory Committee, Georgia. He is currently employed at WellStar Atlanta Medical Center as Clinical Pharmacist on the trauma team in the intensive care unit. He is author of the long awaited book, “God Loves Drama and I Don’t,” scheduled for print in November 2020. Simon is also a member of the Life Center Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia along with his wife, Juliet, and two sons.
ANDREA WARD
Andrea Ward is the founder & Principal Consultant of Empire One Consulting, specializing in Business and Healthcare Administration Support Services. Andrea leverages over 20 years of extensive knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry, which includes 10 years’ trailblazing in Healthcare Administration and Integrated Acute Care. Her expertise has made a significant impact in managing multi-site operations & multi-specialty physician partnerships in healthcare operations management, acquisitions and hospital joint ventures.
From the marketplace, to the church and on the streets― Andrea's voice motivates, influences and empowers individuals to recognize their God-given grace, identity and potential. Andrea was rescued by the LORD to rescue others. She is focused on their deliverance and restoration through God's grace and power. She is very passionate about the all-around well-being of people and the spiritually disenfranchised. Andrea is a licensed minister through Global Kingdom Mandate (GKM) and the founder of Grace Is Power Ministries (GIPM).