Stephen B TownsA servant leader and gifted facilitator, Superintendent Dr. Stephen Brian Towns, Sr. is the Pastor and Founder of Real Life Ministries, Church of God in Christ. Having survived 28 years of substance abuse, then experiencing miraculous delivery simultneously from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, he is uniquely equipped to break down, dissect, and translate addiction and recovery from a spiritual perspective. He has served in ministry for over twenty years, touching countless lives internationally. His transformational storytelling resonates with his listeners, whether imprisoned behind bars or leaders behind boardroom tables. From 2009-2013, Dr. Towns earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the esteemed Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Dr. Towns graduated from Regent University's Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) program in May 2019 with a concentration in Healthcare Leadership after completing his doctoral coursework and a groundbreaking final project (The Importance of Psychological Safety in Today's Multicultural Healthcare Environment). Accordingly, Towns serves as the Director of Community Health and Human Services for his Jurisdiction. On the National level for the Church of God in Christ, Dr. Towns serves as a consultant for the National Pastors and Elders Council Health Commission, and as the Director of the International Department of Evangelism eNewsletter, The Evangelist Speaks, since its inception in 2012. Pastor Towns' global ministry began when, in 2016, he visited Soweto, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durbin, South Africa. While there, he was blessed to preach in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Accordingly, with a heart for Nelson Mandela's homeland, in 2018 he was honored by being named Regional Evangelism President of South Africa by Bishop Charles Connor. He was also blessed with the Holy experience of being baptized in Israel's Jordan River in December of 2013. Pastor Towns is committed to being a lifelong learner who loves to teach. He takes pride in being a voice for the voiceless and a defender of those unable to defend themselves. Bi-vocational, Dr. Towns currently serves in a senior role for a major healthcare organization. By leading ministries and the healthcare industry with principles of psychological safety, he endeavors to ensure that diversity, inclusion, and equity become the norm for marginalized peoples' collective advancement. Dr. Towns resides in Henrico, Virginia where he is heavily involved in community service. In August of 2020, his ministry gave away over 144,000 pounds of food for COVID relief. An avid sports enthusiast, Dr. Towns is well-known as a local referee officiating basketball for over twenty-two years, excelling in high school, college, and on the semi-pro levels. In his leisure time, Dr. Towns and Kimberly, his wife of 32 years, enjoy traveling and cruising. He also adores spending time with his two grandchildren, Jace and Lotus. Further information and resources about Pastor Towns and his ministry can be found on his website: www.StephenBTowns.com Read More Read Less