Rev. Dr. Louis L. Ferguson
*************@*****.*** • 678-***-**** • Atlanta, GA
Linkedin.com/in/ rev-dr-louis-l-ferguson-679021113
Qualifications Summary
Dynamic and Caring Community Leader offering a versatile background in Church, hospital, Fortune 100, startup, and public service environments in Chaplain Roles.
Committed Senior Pastor
Rivet attention of over 200 weekly in remote and on-site programs in a large and diverse urban area.
Authored challenging book on 21st Century Church’s role in mitigating juvenile incarceration.
Insightful Educator
Positively impacted student achievement in public school and enrichment (Jujitsu, football) settings.
Maximized potential of 40+ special education students.
Trained and onboarded over 300 multidisciplinary staff.
Concerned Counselor / Chaplain
Provided compassionate individual and group (mental health and chaplaincy) counseling for 10 years.
Achieved Level I Chaplain status in Clinical Pastoral Education in 2015 and 2020.
Visionary Entrepreneur
Awarded Businessman of the Year twice.
Founded and operated a startup with 200 employees.
Building a $2.75M facility to provide quality childcare and education opportunities to urban families.
Professional Experience
Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Company – Decatur, GA Feb 2010 – Present
Senior Pastor
Prayerfully oversee and establish objectives and strategies (programs, initiatives) to fulfill the Great Commission. Provide umbrella of spiritual and emotional support for staff, volunteers, members, and community. Facilitate the worship of God. Serve as a relevant and teachable spiritual resource. Monitor and forecast budgets. Identify and pursue funding resources. Create and present reports, newsletters, and evangelistic literature to Board, membership, and community. Supervise staff and volunteers. Connect with and listen closely to individuals and groups (grief, mental health, and chaplaincy) to inspire hope.
Leadership: Serve 200+ members by coordinating on-site and remote programs and other strategic initiatives (Men’s, Women’s, Children’s, and Music Ministries) to advance the Kingdom agenda.
Counseling: Conducted premarital and marital sessions and married 78 couples.
Building Project: Planning construction of a $2.75M facility with Child Care Center, Elementary Academy, and Family Life Center.
Leadership Development: Trained, ordained, and licensed 35 Ministers.
Author: Publishing DMin dissertation on the Church’s role in mitigating juvenile incarceration and drop-out rates.
KOL Development: Partner with State, County, and non-profit key opinion leaders to reach homeless female veterans and their children and latchkey students as well as those who need vocational training and placement, free lunches, literacy training, and Bible studies.
Cisco Systems – Duluth, GA LexisNexis – Alpharetta, GA Oct 2003 – Jan 2018
Command / Security Supervisor
Monitored building access and security systems (alarms, cameras) for Fortune 100 IT and management consulting firms.
Positive Culture: Established a safe and secure work environment for close to 50 employees.
Additional Experience
DeKalb County School System – Decatur, GA Atlanta Public School System – Atlanta, GA
Special Education Teacher Substitute Teacher
Enabled special education students to reach maximum potential in an urban setting with a high number of racially and economically diverse students. Reviewed, evaluated, and suggested instructional materials. Prepared and developed a meaningful curriculum, syllabus, and related activities. Assessed student progress and performance. Maintained student records. Participated in staff, family, and student meetings (IEP, Parent-Teacher). Remained abreast of educational trends and best practices.
Engaged Learners: Taught classes with exceptional students over a four-year period.
Grady Memorial Hospital – Atlanta, GA Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, GA
Public Safety Officer
Ensured caring culture of safety and security for staff, patients, and visitors.
Team Development: Collaboratively trained and evaluated 10-30 new officers at the fifth-largest U.S. hospital.
Strategic Liaison: Served on Chief Executive Council at Grady.
Awarded Performance: Honored twice as Businessman of the Year.
Attention to Detail: Optimized climate/temperature controls for plants and animals at garden boasting over 7K daily visitors for special events.
Southpoint Security, Inc. – Atlanta, Ga
Chief Executive Officer
Founded security startup. Owned vision planning, engagement strategy, and tactical planning. Oversaw daily operation.
Talent Management: Recruited, hired, trained, and managed 450+ employees (Security, Marketing, Payroll).
Education & Credentials
Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Cum Laude, GPA 3.75 (2017)
Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) – Atlanta, GA
Dissertation: The Connection to High School Dropouts and Juvenile Incarceration and the Role of the 21st Century Church
International Society of Theta Phi, Religious Honor Society
Master of Divinity (MDiv) GPA 3.375 (2013)
Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) – Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Science in Special Education
Morris Brown College – Atlanta, GA
Credentials
Clinical Pastoral Education – Level I Chaplain, Fall of 2015, Care and Counseling Center of Georgia Level 1 Chaplain, Fall of 2020, Grady’s Center for Spiritual Care and Education Preacher’s Ordination Preacher’s License Certificate in Theology.
Training & Development
3rd Degree Jujitsu Black Belt in Self-Defense Security Instructor Development Training
Professional & Community Involvement
The Georgia National Baptist Convention DeKalb Chamber of Commerce DeKalb Ministers Alliance 100 Black Men
Concerned Black Clergy International Society of Theta Phi Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
International Association of Hospital Security International Association of Jujitsu
DeKalb County Schools Advisory Board Rockdale County Juvenile Detention Center Advisory Board Jujitsu Teacher
Football Coach DeKalb County Juvenile Detention Advisory Board President of Wade Walker Park
Computer Skills
MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), ACT, FiTech, POINT, Genesis, Loansoft