What’s Next For Me
An update on my health and my future
Earlier this year I informed my church Tri-Cities Church in East Point that I would be stepping down from my role as lead pastor.
This early retirement from pastoral ministry comes after over two decades of leading churches in various capacities.
Originally my decision was made because of my ongoing three year battle with cancer. My original diagnosis was made in 2020 and after a year of remission the cancer came back. In December of 2022 the cancer spread to my lungs which then made the cancer stage four.
Because I anticipated more treatments and another surgery I felt it best to step down so that I can focus on getting better.
Well a lot has transpired since then. While a lung biopsy determined that only one of the spots was cancerous, the placement of the nodule is too difficult to surgically remove. My radiation oncologist is planning to do radiation on the spot in order to kill the cancer while it is still very small (12 mm).
Unfortunately this means that surgery on the original rectal tumor will also no longer be an option. I received proton therapy on this tumor a year ago as well as additional chemotherapy. Because the goal of surgical intervention is to remove all cancer, forcing me to undergo another difficult surgery is not an option because the lung nodule can not be removed.
Fortunately the rectal tumor has been stable or inactive for over a year which suggests that the aforementioned treatments have killed it or it least stabilized it. Currently it poses no risk to me and for that I’m grateful.
My wife and I also recently traveled to New York to Memorial Sloan Kettering , one of the best cancer centers in the country. There we received reassuring news about my prognosis including the upcoming release of a new promising drug for which I am currently a perfect candidate for.
So for now I will be on chemotherapy indefinitely, at least until the FDA releases the new immunotherapy drug, which is slated to be fast tracked because of the overwhelming positive results rendered during the clinical trials.
Right now I feel strong and well and in good spirits. Thanks for your prayers!
So what’s next when I step down as pastor and how can you help me? Glad you asked! I’m launching head first into the world of entrepreneurship and I have a few projects I’m working on that could use your support.
My new book is slated to release in February of 2024. A new book can keep me busy with promotion and speaking events for the next two plus years. You can help by booking me to speak at your church, university, or other organizations.
I’m currently working on two more manuscripts as I build my career as a full-time author. Prayers for the success of those projects and that I am able to find publishing homes for them with substantial financial advances would be great.
Soon I’ll be transitioning this platform into a paid subscription platform. I’d really appreciate your support here as another avenue for generating revenue. I’ll be developing a more consistent release of content here both written and video and subscription members will have access to exclusive content for only a $7 monthly fee.
I’ll be rebranding and relaunching my podcast as a business and not just a hobby. The goal will be to secure sponsorship.
I’ll be also working more diligently on my for profit clothing line W.A.S. Wear, which is a designed for the disability community, chronic illness community, and anyone who has ever been an underdog in life. We have some new designs releasing soon so be in the look out and shop now at www.waswear.shop
Finally, I’ll be creating more online content and webinars as well as taking on more consulting jobs for organizations looking to learn more about the intersection of disability, race, religion and D.E.I. practices.
Be on the look out for more information from me soon and more ways to support my new adventures!
