The Grove Theological School Teachers
Whatever the course of study our faculty is here to encourage all GTS Students to discover their purpose in life and mission of God.
Rev. Dr. Franklin Watkins, D.MIN.
Dr. Watkins is the Senior Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Harrisburg, North Carolina. He is committed to preaching and teaching the Word of God and he is a fervent believer in prayer. Rev. Watkins believes in ministering to the total person: mind, body, and soul. He believes in reaching out and serving the community.
Dr. Watkins was ordained as a Gospel Minister in the Mount Peace Association, Charlotte, NC in 1999. He was called as Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in March 2005 and has served for 17 years. Rev. Watkins educational achievements are: Doctor of Ministry, Hood Theological Seminary, 2014, Salisbury, NC, Master of Divinity Degree, Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC, Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, Tennessee State University.
Rev. Watkins is married to Mrs. Karen Watkins, and they are the parents of a son, Duane (Oshana) and a daughter Michelle (Adrian). They are also the proud grandparents of Vivienne and Ace.
Rev. Dr. Alexander McDonald III, D.MIN.
Dr. McDonald is the former Pastor of The Second Baptist Church of Paterson, NJ, where he served for 35yrs prior to retiring (in good standing) in October of 2020. In December of 2020, Reverend McDonald and his wife moved to Charlotte, NC. They soon joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church of Harrisburg, NC, under the pastoral leadership of The Reverend Dr. Franklin D. Watkins.
Dr. McDonald is a 1980 honor graduate of Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (with a concentration in Accounting). He is a 2001 graduate of New York Theological Seminary, Manhattan, NY, where he received his Master of Divinity Degree. He was elected to render the student body address during the graduation ceremony. He is also a 2006 graduate of Drew University, Madison, NJ earning a Doctorate of Ministry.
Dr. McDonald is the husband of his childhood sweetheart, Jacqueline Boyd McDonald since July of 1980. They are the proud parents of three: Alexander IV (Clare), Tiffany Nicole (Robert) and Stephanie Renee. Reverend McDonald is also the proud grandfather of Olivia Jacqueline Marche and Samantha Erin Marche.
Rev. Dr. Earl James, Th.D.
Dr. James served as interim pastor for three years and as pastor for seventeen years at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, in Santa Maria, California from 1986-2006. Director of New Hope Seminary Extension, Santa Maria California 2004-2006.
Dr. James married Ms. Sydney A. Barnes in 1959. They had five children; three daughters and two sons. He was drafted by the US Army in the early 60s, received an honorable discharge, . Dr. James and his wife in 2006 decided to retire. He and his wife resolved to move to the East Coast, after much thought and prayer. Soon they became members of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, of Harrisburg, NC where he served as the facilitator for the Men’s Department and Instructor for the Associate Ministers of the church along with preaching assignments under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Watkins, Pastor, for fifteen years.
Dr. James graduated from: Mt. San Antonio Community College, Pomona, California with an Associate Science Degree, in General Business. the University of La Verne, La Verne, California with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a California Teacher's Credential from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), two Master Degrees from the American Baptist Seminary of the West at Berkeley, California one in Ministerial Arts and the other a Master of Divinity, and an earned Doctoral Degree from the same seminary.
Rev. Melissa Heyward, M.Ed., M.Div.
Rev. Heyward moved to Charlotte in 1985 after accepting a position at UNC-Charlotte. She has worked over 25 years in areas of training, teaching, counseling, social work, and mental health case management.
Rev. Heyward resides with the love of her life, husband Eugene. She joined Oak Grove Baptist Church-Harrisburg in 1987 and currently serves as an Associate Minister under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Watkins.
Rev. Heyward teaches Adult Christian Development classes. In addition , she teaches Bible Studies to the congregation as needed by the Pastor. Most recently, she has been appointed to the role of Membership Counseling and Clergy Support Minister. In this role she serves with Pastor Watkins as a resource and teacher for the Associate Ministers team.
Rev. Heyward received a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1980, in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. She received a Masters of Education degree in Counseling from UNC-Greensboro in 1983. In 2020, she received a Masters of Divinity Degree in the dual majors of Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy from the Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary.
Rev. Yolonda P. Holmes, Ph.D.
Dr. Holmes is an experienced and highly motivated leader with expertise in strategy management, human relations, diversity, strategic partnerships, family/community engagement and program development in public schools, private sector and federal government. Dedicated effective manager/communicator with 10+ years of innate passion and experience in promoting mutually beneficial relationships with community partners, parents, private industry, public, non-profit federal and faith-based organizations. Detailed-oriented professional with administrative leadership and creative abilities in promoting and developing strategic partnership engagement plans for successful academic alignment of partners resulting in mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships and increased student academic achievement.
She received her BS degree in Criminal Justice, from Voorhees College, Denmark, SC, in 1994. She received her Master’s Degree in Management from Webster University, Bolling AFB Washington, DC in 2002. In 2015, she received her Ph.D. from the School of Public Service Leadership-Public Safety (CJ), Capella University, Washington, DC.
Rev. Claude Ellis Forehand, D.MIN
Dr. Forehand has over 18 years of experience providing spiritual leadership for individuals of diverse backgrounds. Extremely sensitive to the voice of God and the path God wants His church to follow. Gifted with proven abilities to lead worship, provide pastoral care and counseling, and training in the area of Christian education. Skilled in designing and developing ministries within the church dedicated to engaging the community. Passionate about social justice and the commitment to address racial inequity with an appreciation for the impactful role of the Black church.
He received his BS Degree in Business Administration from Johnson C. Smith University; Charlotte, NC, in 1995. He received his Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education from Hood Theological Seminary; Salisbury, NC, in 2002. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Hood Theological Seminary; Salisbury, NC, in 2009 with a concentration in practical theology.
The Grove Theological Staff
Jeanne Adams-Taylor, M.B.A.
Jeanne Adams-Taylor (Administrator), is an accomplished Business Analyst Leader and Manager with the ability to effectively integrate managements skills with technical expertise in the financial and insurance industries. Highly skilled in requirements gathering and analysis, conducting User Acceptance Testing and documentation of test cases. Strong analytical, problem solving and technical abilities in leading various system enhancements, conversions, and business integrations from design to implementation. Extensive experience in insurance and annuity commission processing, commission management, and commission systems. Known for ability to develop and manage project schedules, and for working well with cross-functional team to achieve on-time project completion.
She received a Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude in 1999 and a Master of Business Administration in 2003, both from Montreat College, Montreat, North Carolina.
Rev. Carolyn L. McFarley, M.Div.
Rev. Carolyn L. McFarley (Administrator) was licensed as a local preacher on March 17, 1996 in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Ordained as a traveling preacher in 2000 in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Licensed as a Chaplain with International Fellowship of
Chaplains, 2021. Notary Public Signing Agent
She received a Bachelor of Science, Management, from Montreat College, Charlotte,
NC, 2010. In 2017, she received a Master of Ministry, Biblical Counseling (Suma Cum
Laude), Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla GA. She is currently pursuing a
Ph.D. in Christian Education at Andersonville Theological Seminary.