Faculty

Your Academic Team

Dr. Adiaha Strange

Vice-President of Academic Affairs

Adiaha Strange, Ed.D., became Vice President of Academic Affairs in September 2018 and has just finished her first year as VPAA. Although not the first African American to hold this position, she is the first female to be hired as VPAA in the school’s 23-year history.

Dr. Strange holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Master of Arts in Education Curriculum and Instruction and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Prior to being promoted to Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Strange had served on faculty since January 2011.

Dr. Strange has also served as an additional teaching resource with experience in giving seminars and facilitating courses in the Department of Professional Studies / The School of Arts and Sciences / the College of Arts and Sciences / & The School of Business Management, using a remote online platform for both distance and traditional educational institutions, to include an international campus.

Dr. Strange is also Nationally Board Certified, NBCT. National Board Certification recognizes accomplished teachers in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.

Dr. Strange founded and operated a business that proudly provided services to children and adults with disabilities under a contract with Medicaid, Medicare, and Veterans Assistance from 2000 to 2018. Her research experience includes a qualitative phenomenological study to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and behavior of providers of adult care services with regards to their effect on the challenges faced by consumers with disabilities. This business was founded after working in the classroom and seeing the need for additional transition and support for students, beyond high school.

She received the 2017 Educator of Excellence Award from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction nominated by a successful co-teaching collaboration with North Carolina Department of North Carolina Virtual Public Instruction for students in the Exceptional Children’s Program.

Dr. Strange has over a decade of educational, administrative, and accreditation experience. She actively participates in TRACS accreditation visits as a Team Evaluator in the areas of Distance Learning pedagogy and in the development of curriculum.

Garry Baldwin, D.Min

Head of Department of Pastoral Studies

Dr. Garry Baldwin has ministered and Pastored Churches across North Carolina and has led Mission Teams around the World for over 40 years. Since 2004, he has served in Charlotte, NC as Pastor of Midwood Baptist Church in the Plaza Midwood/NoDa area. His love for discipleship inspired him to begin teaching at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary in 2005 in order to help train and mentor Urban Pastors. He now serves as Department head for Pastoral Studies and the Masters of Divinity Degree. Dr. Baldwin earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Citadel, Charleston, SC, May 1976, a Master of Divinity with Religious Education, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC May, 1981, a Doctor of Christian Counseling, Bethany Theological Seminary, May 1988 and a Doctorate of Ministry in Leadership Studies, with a focus on Marriage and Family Discipleship and Counseling. Carolina Graduate School of Divinity, Greensboro, NC, May, 2015 (Magna Cum Laude Graduate) DISSERTATION: Marriage and the Family Made in Heaven(Applying the Biblical Principles of Galatians 5:22-23 to the Practical Issues of Marriage and the Family)

Dr. Baldwin has served as Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Studies with Southern Theological Seminary in Owensboro Kentucky, 2001-2004. Guest Adjunct Professor, Baptist Theological Seminary of Malawi, Africa 2003. NC Baptist Convention Missions Leadership 2005-Present (Leadership Training Conferences in Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Nepal and Kenya, Africa)

Dr. Baldwin is the author of 3 books, “The Fruit Flavored Family”, “Here we Stand: Romans, a study guide”, and “Dr. Luke Discusses Discipleship: A devotional study through the book of Acts.”

Dr. Baldwin is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors 2005 – Present. A Board Certified Pastoral Counselor (Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors) 2016- Present . He is a Certified SYMBIS Pre-Marital Counselor and a Certified DISC Personality Profile Trainer He also was Teacher of the Year at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary 2009 and 2015.

Head of Department of Biblical Studies – VACANT

James Logan, D.Min.

Head of the Department of Urban Christian Ministry

Serves as Senior Pastor of Kingdom Fellowship Christian Center in Charlotte, NC and as Presiding Bishop over Kingdom Fellowship of Churches International. He is Professor & Department Chair of Urban Christian Studies at Charlotte Christian College & Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He also serves as Adjunct Professor of Urban Ministry at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary-Charlotte, NC.

He has led National & International Seminars & Conferences through Jim Logan Evangelistic Ministries and has been an Active Advocate and Participant in congregational renewal as President and Founder of Jim Logan Evangelistic Ministries.

Dr. Logan has pursued Ph.D. coursework at Regent University concentrating in Theology and Ecclesiology. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelism from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. His Dissertation was entitled: Evangelism in the African American Presbyterian Congregation: Equipping the Church for Growth. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ concentrating in Speech communication. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College in Gambier, OH majoring in religion.

He has received additional training in Neurolinguistic Programming; served as an Evangelism Consultant in the Presbyterian Church, USA; served as a trainer in Parish Visitation Skills, Listening Skills, and Conflict Resolution through LEAD Consultants Incorporated.

Prior to founding Kingdom Fellowship Christian Center, he served as Senior Pastor/Head of Staff of Bread of Life Christian Ministry in Charlotte, NC; Adjunct Professor, Urban Ministry and Urban Evangelism, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC; Adjunct Professor of Evangelism and Homiletics at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC; Instructor in Homiletics at More Than Conquerors School of the Ministry in Charlotte, NC; Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA; Campus Minister at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; Racial Ethnic Minority Recruiter, Admissions Department, Princeton Theological Seminary; Trustee, Board of Trustees, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ; Chair, Student Life Committee, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, (Oversaw the range of student issues from admissions, to student indebtedness, to field work, placement, housing and health. Also served on the Investment Committee responsible for the seminary’s endowment.); Member, Academic Affairs Committee, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ (Oversaw the five- and ten-year reaccreditation review through ATS (2004) and MSCHE (2009), First curriculum overhaul in thirty years. Oversaw, reviewed and recommended to the full board appointments of faculty and executive staff, worked with the President and Academic Dean in institutional assessment, library (including overseeing 70 million dollar new library), Continuing Education, special projects such as the Dead Sea Scrolls Project, etc.; Member, Board of Advisors, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte Campus; Alumni Trustee, Board of Trustees, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ; Served on the Student Affairs Committee (Now Student Life), Library Committee (Incorporated into Academic Affairs, and the Technology Committee (Incorporated into Academic Affairs).

Among the many awards he has garnered over the years, he received the Outstanding Young Men of America, 1980, 1987; International Who’s Who of Intellectuals, 1981; International Who’s Who in Community Service, 1980, 1982; and, Alumnus-in-Residence, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1991.

Among his published works are the following: Article: Second-Career Students Offer Greater Depths of Urgency to the Church: published in PTS Alumni/ae News, Spring 1991; Article: Worship in the African American Religious Experience: published in Reform: What Is Christian Worship? 2000; Article: Worship: An African American Perspective: published by Reformed Liturgy & Worship: volume xxxi, Numbers 3 & 4, 1997; Article: Black Pentecostalism: published in Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity, Stanley M. Burgess, editor, 2006; Sermon: There’s No Place Like Home: included in A Passion for the Gospel, Confessing Jesus Christ for the 21st Century: Geneva Press, 2000; Sermon: Reopen the Door: included in A Cry of Need and of Joy, Confessing the Faith in a New Millennium, volume One, Reformation Press, 2002; and, a book entitled: Moses: A Profile in Effective Christian Leadership, 2019.

He has taught, lectured and preached all over the world including but not limited to: More Than Conquerors School of Ministry Instructor: Homiletics; Hood Theological Seminary Adjunct Professor: Four courses, two per semester: Senior Preaching: Preparation and Delivery of Sermons; Resources for Preaching; and Evangelism; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Taught Pastors for a week on issues relative to pastoral leadership (2004); Preached in churches across the country leading renewal events, men’s retreats, homiletics seminars, marriage retreats/workshops and Bible conferences; and, CUPEI, Brussels, Belgium: Lecture on Introduction to Urban Ministry.

Wesley McCarter, D.Min.

Head of the Doctor of Ministry Program

M.A. in Biblical Studies, Carolina Graduate School of Divinity
D.Min. in Biblical Preaching, Carolina Graduate School of Divinity
Ph.D. Candidate in Theology (New Testament), North-West University

Dr. Wesley C. McCarter serves as the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program of the Charlotte Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He also enjoys teaching courses as a Professor of Preaching in the D.Min. Program. In addition to his academic work, he serves as the Lead Pastor of the Rural Hall Christian Church near Winston-Salem, NC.

A native of Lenoir, NC, Dr. McCarter received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Carolina Christian College in Winston-Salem, NC. He holds the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Ministry degrees (in biblical studies and biblical preaching) from the Carolina Graduate School of Divinity in Greensboro, NC, studying under Dr. Douglas Moo of Wheaton College Graduate School as well as other reputable evangelical scholars such as Dr. Walt Kaiser, Dr. Bill Mounce, and Dr. Kent Hughes. His D.Min. dissertation, written under the supervision of Dr. Moo, was titled, “He Loved Them to the End: A Commentary on John 13-17.” He is currently enrolled with the Faculty of Theology of the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theology (New Testament). Matthean scholar Prof. Dr. Francois Viljoen is promoting his research in the Gospel of Matthew.

Before being appointed as head of the D.Min. Program at the Charlotte Seminary, Prof. McCarter served on faculties as both an assistant professor of ministry and as an adjunct professor of biblical and theological studies. He has experience teaching courses on the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, both on-site and online. A participant in the academic guild, he is a full member of both the Evangelical Theological Society and the Stone-Campbell Scholars Community. As a pastor-theologian, he is proud to maintain active ministries in both the church and academia.

Prof. McCarter is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner with several years of training. Jiu-Jitsu is a fantastic physical exercise, an interesting hobby, and a useful system of self-defense. Dr. McCarter is an associate teacher at the martial arts academy where he has the opportunity to minister to people from all walks of life.

Most importantly, Dr. McCarter is a family man. He is happily married to Bridget, and they have two adorable daughters. Life is always busy, interesting, fun, and joyful in the McCarter household. The whole family is regularly involved in Christian ministry together.

Gwendolyn B. Peart, Ed.D.

Head Librarian and Department Chair for General Studies

B.A. North Carolina Central University

M.L.S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Ed.S. University of Sarasota

Ed.D. University of Sarasota

Post-Doctoral Studies Harvard School of Education

Gwendolyn B. Peart, Ed.D., serves as Head Librarian and Department Chair for the Department of General Studies at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary.

Dr. Peart matriculated to North Carolina Central University, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, graduating Cum Laude. She continued her passion for reading by pursuing a Master of Library Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She continued her desire of lifelong learning by studying Curriculum and Instruction while pursuing an Educational Specialist and Doctor of Education degree from the University of Sarasota.

Dr. Peart has served professionally as teacher, media specialist, grant writer, workshop leader, adjunct professor, college library administrator and Southern Association for Colleges and Schools/ Quality Education Program library reviewer for accreditation and reaffirmation in the academic library. She is the recipient of the Distinguished Career Award from the School of Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Library Grant winner and finalist for the Middle School Media Specialist of the Year Award. Additionally, she is an alumna of the BRIDGES XVI Leadership for Women Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, attending the prestigious Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians at the School of Education, Harvard University and led an academic team selected to attend the Transformation of the College Library Program sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges.

Dr. Peart is a member of the Park Ministries, Life Member and Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is a charter member of the 100 Black Women (Queen City Chapter), charter member of Top Ladies of Distinction (Queen City Chapter), and charter member of Omega Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also a member of the Junior League of Charlotte.

Dr. Peart is the Founder of Progressive Education Group, Inc., a non-profit organization seeking to promote educational equity for students ages 5-16 through advocacy, educational opportunities, collaboration, information and parental involvement. She is the President and CEO of Progressive Educational Solutions, LLC, specializing in proposal writing, grant writing and training and development.

Billy O. Fleming, D.Min.

Professor

Dr. Bill Fleming, Jr. is a semi-retired pastor living in Waxhaw, North Carolina. He teaches preaching and spiritual formation at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary in Charlotte. Bill is also a practicing spiritual director. He served as a parish minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination for forty years. He has pastored seven churches and served in several denominational offices. He has taught at Charlotte Christian since 2005 and was the Director of Pastoral Studies at Charlotte Christian for five years. He has also served as a Hospice chaplain, a church developer, and an instructor in the Dominican Republic and Guinea Bissau, Africa. He currently teachers at Charlotte Christian and practices personal spiritual direction with the Emmaus Center for Spirituality in Charlotte. He is a certified spiritual director and is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Spiritual Directors International, and the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association.

Bill holds a B. A. in Bible from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, a Master of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, South Caroline, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta. He is a member of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association, Spiritual Directors International, and is an associate with the Emmaus Center for Spirituality in Charlotte.

He also enjoys storytelling, writing, and music.

Bill is the author of Mapping the Christian Life, published by RevPress in 2010, Prayer: The Adventure: A six part study in Prayer, The Fruit of the Spirit: God’s Garden of Heavenly Delights, Personal Evangelism, Wild Child and Good Son: A Parable for Fathers and Sons, and How To Tell a Story: The Art of Being Interesting. He is currently working on two book—The Faith Matrix and At Play in the Garden of the Lord. He has also published two books of poetry. He has been published in The Herald, The Associate Reformed Presbyterian, Christianity Today, Preaching, and The Wittenburg Door.

Bill manages a resource website for Spiritual Formation—www.faithmatrix.com, which provides connections for those seeking to grow in the Spirit.

Garry Gates

Professor

Garry Gates is an educator and pastor with thirty years’ experience in teaching, training, pastoral counseling, small group development, community integration, and first impressions ministry. He is passionate about impacting others for Christ by joining God in bringing healing and hope to the lives of others through the power of the gospel.

He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Elon University and a Masters of Divinity with Religious Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Garry began teaching part time for Charlotte Christian College & Theological Seminar in January of 2020. He also serves as Associational Missions Strategist (Associational Director of Missions) for the Mount Zion Baptist Association. Garry has served in various churches in North Carolina, with the Hope Counseling Center, and has served in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Garry is a Certified Prepare/Enrich Pre- Marital/Marriage Counselor and a Certified DISC Personality Profile Trainer.

Teresa S. Mcllwain

Professor

Dr. Teresa Sires McIlwain graduated from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in May 2003; and, she received the Outstanding D.Min Alumna Award in 2013. She received her Masters of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN in May 1993. Her doctoral program at United was “Sexuality and Spirituality in the African American Church.” She served as the national North Carolina RCRC Black Church Initiative representative 2002 -2005. In July 2001, she became a National Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. She serves on local, regional, and national APC certification committees and mentors African American candidates as they prepare for their certification. Last year at the National meeting she was recognized for being a member twenty-five years. She answered the call to become a Pastoral Counselor and began her training at the Methodist Counseling Center in Charlotte, NC. in September 1997. She continued working as a chaplain part-time while doing her training under supervision. In August 2004, she started her own business in Charlotte, N.C., Inner Healing Pastoral Counseling Service. In May 2006, she was certified as a Pastoral Counselor in Atlanta, GA. She was contracted as a facilitator for a women’s support group for Metrolina AIDS Project (MAP) 2005 – 2009. She resigned from being a staff chaplain at Carolinas Medical Center Hospital on June 18, 2010, to pursue her North Carolina certification as a Fee-based Practicing Pastoral Counselor. She met the Examination Board and passed on June 18, 2011. The following year in October, she became a certified Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, qualifying her to supervise pastoral counselors. She is also a certified member of the American Corrections Chaplains Association and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Dr. McIlwain wanted to continue educating African American pastors and leaders in the Charlotte community about STDs and HIV/AIDS. She incorporated a non-profit, CHOPP, Inc – Children of Potential and Promise, in July 2010. CHOPP, Inc endeavors to minister to the whole person – mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Dr. McIlwain’s other professional endeavors include being the pastor of Church Ekklesia Sozo, Inc, a non-profit telemedicine program that provides suboxone/buprenorphine to persons who are struggling with opioid dependency (June 2018); Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary (CCCTS) adjunct professor (March 2018); Atrium Health Pastoral Advisory Group (October 2018); and Getting To Zero Mecklenburg County, HIV/AIDS Advisory Board (November 2019).

Dr. McIlwain is the Assistant Pastor of Refuge of God Christian Fellowship. Her husband, Bishop Michael C McIlwain, is the pastor. They have been married thirty-seven years. They have eight children and thirteen grandchildren.

Fred Smith, Ph.D.

Professor

Dr. Fred Smith obtained his PhD is from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth Texas. Dr. Fred Smith is the author of _Developing a Biblical Worldview, and written articles on the inerrancy of the Bible, the nature of our salvation, various world religions (Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto) and numerous book
reviews. Dr. Fred Smith has made presentations at the International Society for Christian Apologetics, the Evangelical Theological Society, the New Orleans Conference on Apologetics, the SBL Southwest Regional Conference and
the Southwest Conference on Christianity and Literature.

Dr. Fred Smith research focuses on Christianity and Westsern Culture.Dr. Fred Smith pastored in Texas as a PhD Student.
Dr. Fred Smith is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society. Dr. Fred Smith has s been at Charlotte Christian College for four years. Dr. Fred Smith has current book available: Developing a Biblical Worldview: Seeing Things God’s Way Available in paperback or e-book form at online book sellers or bookstores.

Moses Taiwo, Ph.D.

Professor

Moses O. Taiwo, PhD, DM/IST, is a Certified Clinical Pastoral Educator by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), Inc. since 2012. At present, Dr. Taiwo serves as the Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with Kettering Health Network in Kettering, OH since May 2017. He is also Chair of the Research Committee in ACPE until December 2021.

Prior to his coming to Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI in 1997, Dr. Taiwo had served as professor of New Testament Theology and Interpretation at Babcock University (defunct, Adventist Seminary of West Africa) in Ilisan-Remo, Ogun state, Nigeria between 1987 and 1997. After earning his PhD in Religion (New Testament) in 2003 at Andrews, Dr. Taiwo also explored training in clinical pastoral education, and he was certified as a Board Chaplain by Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) in 2007.

While in training to become a CPE Educator at Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Taiwo served on faculty at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary (defunct, New Life Theological Seminary) in 2006. He was later appointed as Head of Department of Urban Studies between 2007 and 2010. Dr. Taiwo also earned a second doctorate from University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ in 2015 in Organizational Leadership with emphasis on Information Systems and Technology. Dr. Taiwo’s research experience includes a qualitative phenomenological study that explored physicians’ perceptions and lived experiences of the effect of information technology on medical practice, and the revelations of obstacles to adoption. In addition to his wealth of education and practice of clinical ministry, Dr. Taiwo continues to assist pastors and lay people to experience CPE through distance learning. This is also important for individuals exploring a call into professional chaplaincy.

Frank Tallerico, D.Min.

Professor

Dr. Frank Tallerico pastored churches in southern Ohio for 34 years. In addition to preaching teaching, and leadership development, He provided counseling services to various congregations and to the local community. Dr. Tallerico moved to Charlotte, NC in 2012 to take a position with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office to work with the resident population of the county detention center. He has worked as a chaplain and as an adult program specialist providing reentry services to the residents. Dr. Tallerico earned a Bachelor of Arts (Pre-Seminary) from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, a Master of Arts (Theological Studies) from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL, a Doctor of Ministry (Pastoral Care) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, and a PhD in Psychology (Industrial & Organizational Psychology) from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. Dissertations: A Disciple-making Strategy of Hope for the Alcohol Addict (DMin) and A Qualitative Study: Burnout and Calvinistic Pastors in the United States (PhD).

Dr. Tallerico has served as Adjunct Professor of Bio-medical ethics and Business ethics with Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, 1998-2000. Adjunct Professor of Bible, Theology, Ethics, and Psychology with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ., 2011 to Present. Adjunct Professor of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling with Charlotte Christian College & Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC, 2012 to Present. Dr. Tallerico has traveled to the Ukraine and Romania to teach indigenous pastors Bible, theology, and counseling courses.