Seminar Facilitators
TROY C. SMITH
Over the last 20 years he has established himself as a tremendous Sales Representative, Coach, Supervisor/Trainer, and Manager in the Sales department at GEICO. In August 2016, he furthered developed himself by becoming a certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach with the John Maxwell Team.
Troy uses his gift of communication and talents daily to pour into people’s lives.
Co-Founder and owner of FiT Fusion, Troy is passionate in helping assist people in their personal wellness journey along with their spiritual growth. Twice a year he leads Small Group sessions for Victory Church Lakeland helping assist the community and church members with their spiritual growth; as well as his own.
Being a huge sports enthusiast, he understands the will to compete and the disciplines needed to be successful. Troy’s life verse comes from the book of Philippians’ chapter 4 verse 13 which states: “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.”
Deric C. Feacher is regarded as one of the premier motivational, inspirational, informational, and transformational speakers of his time. Recognized as a man who has used obstacles as opportunities to succeed; he is a keynote speaker, lecturer, presenter, motivator, and proclaimer of Gods word that engages individuals and/or groups to go from mediocrity to excellence.
Growing up without a father at home, coping with a perceived learning disability, and battling teachers who wanted to pigeonhole him in special education classes made success seem unlikely. But Momma said failure wasn’t an option. Teachers tried to put Deric, a slow learner as a child, in special education classes and discourage dreams of college. “They presented limitations and said it might be best to go to a trade school,” Feacher said. “But my mother said, ‘You are going to be a scholar.’”
The Messenger as he is affectionately called is married to the former Keshia McCloud and they are the proud parents of one son. Deric is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Life Member of the Bethune-Cookman and Florida A & M Universities National Alumni Associations, Executive Board of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the United Way of Central Florida Board, Winter Haven Leadership XXIII Graduate, Leadership Polk III Graduate, Winter Haven Chapter of the NAACP member, Board member of the Polk State College Corporate College, National Forum of Black Public Administrators, Florida City and County Managers Associations, Samson Masonic Lodge, International City/County Managers Association and others.
The Messengers brief humbling beginnings at 131 Avenue T. has now made his success as a Government and Executive Consultant so much better, but he never forgets the life lessons that were provided by his greatest inspiration. That inspiration is the woman who would eat mayonnaise sandwiches, work two jobs, take classes and teach her three boys how to be men. His mother Julia, would pull her resources together to move her three sons into a new home and make sure they were able to have access to whatever they needed to be successful.
The Messenger truly understands how you can be the product of a shotgun house mentality to being able to live in abundance because of hard work, dedication and faith in God. He realizes that in order to be the best; you have to work harder then the rest.
As a John C. Maxwell certified speaker, trainer and coach, Deric has received rave reviews on the dynamic, fresh speeches and presentations that have lead him to speak in major arenas, churches, schools and stadiums throughout the world.
Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL where he received his undergraduate collegiate education is where he decided to start Deric C. Feacher, LLC D/B/A The Messenger Speaks and master his craft as an orator and prolific messenger who will Educate, Enlighten and Empower all who are able to hear him speak. Deric is currently pursuing two masters in Human Resource Management and Public Administration in an effort to expand his consultant business and gain better insight to help governments and agencies reach their full potential.
A Believer, Devoted husband to Sabrina Radford, Father of three beautiful daughters, and a Friend; indeed, he is a native of Bartow, Florida. Gregory serves as an usher for Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church (Pastor Dr. Lanelle Pickett Sr.) Gordonville, FL. He is also a part of the mission team for GHMBC and visited Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2016.
Mr. Radford, is a decorated U.S. Army veteran who served tours of duty in war-torn Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Military Awards and Decorations
The Bronze Star Medal with two OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal with four OLCs, the Army Commendation Medal with four OLCs, the Army Achievement Medal with four OLCs, the Army Good Conduct Medal sixth award, the National Defense ServiceMedal with bronze star device, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 4.
The Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Parachutist Badge- Airborne, and Italian Parachutist Badge.
He is a Graduate of Polk State College “Cum Laude” The Associate in Science in Business Administration. Also, he was inducted into Polk State College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year institutions. He graduate from Florida Southern College- Lakeland, Florida (B.A, Business Management) on Dec 16, 2017.
Mr. Radford and his wife (Sabrina) serves as an inspiration to those who want to live the American Dream of owning their own home. They are proud owners of Radford Homes, LLC and their vision is “Turning Dreams into Reality.” Mr. Radford is very passionate about helping people in the community. His favorite scripture is Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Iron To Iron Panel
BISHOP JOE HALMAN
Bishop Joe Nathan Halman Jr. is the son of Joe and Laura Halman. He is married to Debra Staggers Halman and together they have three beautiful daughters (Shena, Ashley and Chelsea) who serve tirelessly in the ministry. Currently, he serves as the Chief of law enforcement with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. He has been with the sheriff’s office since December 1985.
Elder Halman has been a member of the Polk County Police Chief’s Association since 2005, the BoCC Community Relations Advisory Board since 2004, the Florida African American Educational Alliance Board and the Polk County Law Enforcement Association since 2003, and the FBI National Academy Associates since 2001, as well as the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
A charter member of the board of the Child Advocacy Center, Elder Halman also serves on the boards of the Inneract Alliance. Most importantly, He serves as senior pastor/founder of the Greater Works Ministries of Winter Haven Inc. He is a member of the Bartow Breakfast Rotary (past president), the Polk County Voters’ League, the Frederick Douglass Republican Club of Central Florida, the NAACP, the Polk County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Winter Haven Interfaith Ministerial Alliance, and the Pughsville Historic Committee.
Elder Halman earned a Master of Arts degree in ministerial leadership from Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational management from Warner Southern College, and an associate of arts degree in liberal arts from Saint Leo University. A graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy, Session 206, he also attended the Senior Management Institute for Police’s Executive Program on Strategic Management. He graduated from the Certified Public Manager Program at Florida State University and attended the South Florida Baptist Theological Seminary. Elder Halman completed US Army Advanced Training at the Quartermaster School in Fort Lee, Virginia.
As explicitly depicted from his accomplishments, God’s favor is upon his life. With the same strengths and perseverance, Elder Halman has birthed and oversees ministries in two different locations: Winter Haven and Lakeland, FL. Moreover, Elder Halman firmly uphold and applies the motto “Enter to worship and exit to serve” to every aspect of his life as he moves forward for the edification of God’s Kingdom.
DEACON CLIFF LEWIS
Mr. Lewis retired from the Fortune-500 Bell Atlantic Corporation, headquartered in Washington, D. C. in 1989. At the time of his retirement he served as Director of the corporation’s Training and Education Department.
Mr. Lewis moved to his wife’s hometown of Bartow, Florida shortly following his retirement.
He is a member of the First Providence Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves on the Board of Deacons, Trustee, President of the Brotherhood Ministry, and Sunday School Teacher.
Mr. Lewis serves on a number of boards and commissions. He is the founding director of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow, Inc. This is the organization that restored and owns the Historic L. B. Brown House Museum, and is dedicated to the revitalization of Bartow’s depressed neighborhoods.
He is the proud husband of Vendarae Washington-Lewis. He is the proud father of four and the grandfather of five. He loves to read and spend time with his family, especially his grandkids.
Mr. Lewis insist that his aim is not simply to make a difference in his endeavors; instead, he has dedicated his life to a Christian desire is to “add value.”
LARRY MITCHELL
Larry S. Mitchell is a native Floridian who grew up in Fort Pierce in a very loving and Christian home. He is one of two sons born to Willie and Ruby Mitchell. He is the father of five daughters and one granddaughter.
He is a graduate of Ft. Pierce High School, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL and Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA. He holds a Law Degree and Pharmacy Degree; he worked for 23 years as a Pharmacist at Met Drugs in Lakeland and has worked in this capacity throughout Florida, as well. He founded New Life Outreach Ministry, Inc. in 1989 and has since, served as the Executive Director. He traveled for 14 years of his adult life doing faith-based foreign medical missionary work in South Africa and Central and SouthAmerica.
Larry is a member of Harvest Church in Lakeland; he is a servant and a community activist whose calling is to reach out with inspiration of hope, compassion, and love, by way of a risen Saviour, to the least, the lost, and the last. He is an active member of the Lakeland Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Central Florida Business Diversity Council, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland Branch NAACP.
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Willie Lee Watson, Jr. was born in Bartow, Florida on June 6, 1 952. He is the first born son of
Willie Sr. and Doretha Watson. He spent his entire life in Bartow, Florida. Since birth, Lil Willie was raised in holiness” in a large family headed by a praying mother.
He attended Bartow area schools graduating in 1970 from Summerlin Institute (later known as Bartow High School). There he met and later married his high school sweetheart, DiÅnne on December 1 8, 1 971. They are the proud parents of Willie Lee Watson, Ill and Wylecia LeAnne Watson.
At the age of 1 2, he gave his life to the Lord on March 31, 1965 in the home of his spiritual Mother, Thelma Marcus, and accepted the call to preach the gospel the same night. At age 1 3, he preached his first sermon. He is also gifted in music ctnd singing. This twin focus of his ministry has developed over the past four decades to make Willie Watson, Jr. a major force for the gospel.
He received his Minister’s License from First Born Church of the Living God under the pastorage of the late Elder Richard D. Lee, November 1 965; was ordained Elder, November; 1976. He also received a Christian Education Degree from the First Born Seminary Training School in August 1976, Waycross, GA. Elder Watson served as Assistant Pastor and Minister of Music under Elder Lawrence Livingston.
It was January 1980 that Elder Watson along with his wife, DiAnne, founded Praise Temple First Born Church of the Living God at 223 Gordon Heights, Bartow, Florida. The birth of Praise Temple, in their home was the result of obeying the vision of the Lord. The church started with five members. Since that humble beginning, the church has grown and increased its membership under the teaching of Pastor
Watson. In January 1986, Elder Watson heeded the call of the Lord, left the First Born Church of the Living God and established Praise Temple Deliverance Center. On May 10, 1 988, the church was registered with the State of Florida and became Praise Temple Deliverance Center, Inc., independent of any other church organization. In April 1994, a new sanctuary was built in West Bartow Florida. In May 2000, the second phase of the sanctuary was added. Elder Watson was ordained Bishop, August 2000. Following the leading of the Lord, Bishop Watson resigned from IMC Agrico Phosphate Company after 26 years of service to become full time Pastor, March 8, 2002.
Bishop Watson has since preached wherever his Lord calls, which has taken him all around the world. He has made two trips to Tanzania, Africa as well as the Holy Land. Wherever Pastor Watson goes, his ministry has been accompanied by reports of healings, miracles, and changed lives. Pastor Watson has influenced even more people from his own pulpit at Praise Temple Deliverance Center, Inc., on Bartow’s west side.
Praise Temple took its name and purpose from a Bible text which reads, “Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord, Praise ye the Lord.”
Bishop Watson lives by his favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5-7 and his favorite song, “He’s Alright”. Bishop Watson is known as a Mon of Wisdom, Man of Righteousness, Man of Praise and Man of the Word, truly Bishop Watson is a “Blessed Man of God.”