Dr. Woods holds a Bachelors Degree in Business from Upper Iowa University. He also earned a Master of Divinity Degree and a Doctorate of Ministry from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University.
He is also the author of four books, “You’re the Pastor, Now What?”, “Think Like a Fish: Seeing your Church through the Eyes of the Unchurched”, “The 30 Day God Challenge: 30 Days to Spiritual Fitness” and “Ten Tips for a Better Church Website”, all of which are available on Amazon.com.
Dr. Woods enjoys being an AME pastor and has been such for over twenty years. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of First AME Church in Gary, Indiana and the Co-Director of Church Growth and Evangelism for the Fourth Episcopal District. He has recently become the Dean of the AME Church Growth and Development Conference and continues to serve on the Indiana Conference Board of Trustees and Indiana Annual Conference Finance Committee.
He has served his community in a number of capacities including the Boys and Girls Club Board, Golden Apple Board and Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther King Scholarship Program designed to serve African-American males going to college. He was recognized by Rockford’s Minority Business Owners as Community Leader of the Year in 2010 in Rockford, Illinois. He continues to serve through a variety of additional volunteer opportunities.
He enjoys reading, graphic design, photography, golf and playing chess. His personal motto is “No Unemployed Christians”; emphasizing his firm belief that everyone has a role in building God’s Kingdom.
His preaching style is informative, inspiring, entertaining and is often described as “keeping it real”. His greatest joy is knowing that someone’s life has been improved as a result of God’s work through him.
He is also the founder of Woods Digital Solutions. His company offers affordable graphic design and website management options to ministries and organizations that better the community. Having been in business for over ten years, it continues to serve an expanding portfolio of churches, ministries and businesses.
He defines himself as a living bridge between church and online technology.