ELDERS

Creston

Teaching and Preaching Elder

Creston Thomas

Creston grew up with a family that loved the person of Christ but he was hostile towards the gospel at a young age after seeing professing believers living in willful sin. While attending a church function, he came to the knowledge that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The Lord’s mercies overflowed by graciously calling him from death to life around the age of 14. After this supernatural work, the Lord has continuously grown him in the knowledge of the Sustainer of the universe. He became a member at Wheeler Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church. 

By Creston growing up most of his life on the Westside of Pine Bluff, he was able to see the brokenness and hurt in his marginalized community. The memories of the brokenness seen in Pine Bluff created a heart to see Christ exalted in dark spaces. This heart led him to share the love of Christ with refugee families from Burundi, Nepal, Tanzania, and Burma in Memphis, TN and Fort Worth, TX. While being transplanted to Kentucky for seminary, he was involved with various ministries at the Kentucky State Prison, Louisville Rescue Mission and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Creston graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in Biblical and Theological Studies. While at Southern, he became a member at the Reformed Baptist Church of Louisville. His interests include studying Biblical languages, Patristics, African Diaspora, Reformation History and Apologetics. Prior to attending Southern, he obtained an undergraduate degree at the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis.

Creston is married to Alina and they have seven children: Xristi, Eden, Yo’el, Creston Jr, Emreh, Benaiah and Trinity.

Jarrett

Interim Administrative Elder

Jarrett Franklin

Jarrett was raised in a Christian, Bible-believing home, and even served and led out in the music and arts ministry at his home church. But, like most young men his age, he strayed and began to have a jaded view of the body of Christ as a whole. As a result of this he used it as an excuse to lead a life of sin for several seasons after leaving home. An encounter with a College Minister in Pine Bluff, would change his life forever. After another year of inconsistency and straddling the fence when it came to his faith, his twin brother encouraged him to go to a Christian sports camp called Kids Across America in Golden, Missouri to work for the summer. Jarrett had a supernatural encounter with the Lord. After this encounter, Jarrett made the decision to truly get to know the person of Christ for himself and commit to serving His people and be unashamed about the faith that he had been lukewarm about for so long.


Although he grew up in smalltown Arkansas living in and or working in Pine Bluff for nearly 10 years Jarrett has seen, firsthand, gang violence, school shootings, drug use, and many other things that contribute to the brokenness of the world we live in. Always, having a heart for people and a gift connecting with people on an emotional level, it has afforded him with the opportunity to pour into the lives of many that he has come into contact with. If he had to choose one word to describe himself as Christ follower, professional and husband, it would be PASSIONATE. He has had the opportunity to travel and teach in several places in central Arkansas. 

Jarrett Graduated from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in Biology. His education afforded him with the opportunity to live in Savannah Georgia for 2 months on a Marine Biology Internship; where he lived on a research vessel for 2 weeks while on a reef fish survey. Afterwards he traveled to various STEM conferences presenting his research. Originally planning to continue his education in pursuit of being a Marine Biologist, his encounter at UAPB redirected his path. After graduating he served as the Assistant Campus Minister at his Alma Mater for a short time before becoming a 7th-12th grade science teacher. He is currently finishing a Master’s degree with plans to continue his studies in pursuit of a Doctorate in an Education discipline. 

Jarrett was wed to his wife, Skyra, in April of 2020, and they currently reside in England, Arkansas. 

KJ

Intern Equipping Elder

Khaleel Jamal Jones

Khaleel grew up without exposure to believers and in a church that did not preach the gospel. After being influenced by the prosperity gospel, he hardened his heart toward God and turned to worldly pursuits in a search for happiness, which led him down a dark path. During college, he met a man who would become his mentor and introduce him to Christ. By God’s abundant mercy, he was graciously called from death to life around the age of 19.

Since this transformative work, the Lord has continued to deepen Khaleel’s knowledge of Himself. He began serving in campus ministry as an assistant at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff BCM, eventually becoming the campus minister, where he served for two years on mission for God. During this time, he developed a passion for evangelism, traveling with BCM students to Puerto Rico and Brazil to reach the lost.

Khaleel is married to his sweetheart, La’Dajia. They have two children, Noelle and Lael. Khaleel graduated from Bryant High School in 2016 and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2021. He plans to pursue a Master of Divinity in the future. His interests include studying Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Presuppositional Apologetics, and Reformed History. Alongside his ministry, Khaleel serves his community as a firefighter for the city of Pine Bluff, using every opportunity to spread the Word of God.

 

DEACONS

ZO

Intern Deacon (Internal Building)

I am Zo Wyatt, a Crossett native. I am married to my beautiful wife, Jakayla Wyatt (from England, Ar.). Two college students at an HBCU unaware of each other that got pulled into an imperfect but refreshing community through the sharing of the gospel and hearing of Gods word.  In our friendship, feelings formed and grew for one another and this journey of ours took place at the end of 2017. Understanding that we were who God planned for us to do life with, July 24, 2020 is when we became one and our covenant with God was solidified! Here we are before you today. Not perfect but progressing & thankful for all God has done & what He is going to do.

 

JERRY

Intern Deacon Ast. (External Building)

 

STAFF

AALAZHA

Executive Administrative AsSISTANT

SKYra

AdminisTRATIVE assistant

LA’DAIJA

Event Coordinator