Dr. Stacy L. Spencer is arguably becoming one of the country’s emerging pastoral leaders and visionaries. He serves as Senior Pastor, New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. The man of humble beginnings now leads one of the country’s fastest growing congregations with a membership of more than 13,000 members in only 7 years.

The Olmstead, Kentucky native started New Direction as a church plant of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in 2001 with roughly 60 members. Throughout the organization’s brief history, the ministry has created numerous avenues for God’s vision to manifest. In 2004, Dr. Spencer donated New Direction’s original facility including a 14,000 square-feet Sprung structure to a Hispanic congregation, Nueva Direccion.  Nueva Direccion Christian Church now ministers to more than 600 Hispanics weekly. In March 2005, New Direction opened its second location, New Direction Collierville, to service the emerging diverse community beyond Memphis.  In 2007, New Direction expanded internationally with the launch of New Direction Christian Centre in Dutwya, South Africa.

New Direction’s global ministry continues to grow with the January 26, 2009 launch of the ministry’s own online radio station, PowerZoneRadio.org. This 24-hour weekday format will feature sermons and devotions by Dr. Spencer, and other notable pastors, contemporary gospel, gospel jazz, Christian Hip Hop and talk shows.  Dr. Spencer is a tech-savvy pastor as he ministers to thousands throughout cyberspace using FaceBook.com, Twitter.com, YouTube.com and MySpace.com. People can also connect with the ministry Tuesdays at 10 a.m. on Comcast’s Channel 17 and through live streams of Sunday and Tuesday worship services via N2Newdirection.org.

Dr. Spencer serves as Chairman, Board of Directors, for the Power Center Community Development Corporation. The independent non-profit Power Center CDC launched in 2006 with the focus to “RESTORE” the economic, educational and social foundation of Hickory Hill through empowering initiatives designed to instill hope, pride and a sense of community. In August 2008, Power Center CDC launched the Power Center Academy, a Memphis City Schools Charter School, educating more than 100 sixth grade students. The school focuses on high technology, financial literacy and community service and has plans to add grades 7th and 8th over the next two years.  Through a partnership with Apple Computers, students are given laptops and are taught comprehensive online skills. In partnership with Sun Trust Bank, students gain hands-on experience balancing their finances and entrepreneurship through Sun Trust’s only on-site student branch.

Dr. Spencer also serves as an officer of Power Center Enterprises, parent company of Soul Café restaurant and Fillin’ Station and Fillin’ Station II Bookstores.  Soul Café is the first of its kind in Memphis offering an upscale yet casual dining experience in an eclectic setting with wireless high-speed Internet connections and live Christian entertainment.  Soul Café employs more than 20 employees. Located at 3557 Ridgeway, the eatery is the site of the Dr. Spencer’s popular Power Lunch series held Wednesdays at noon. He teaches marketplace leaders inspirational business and life principles to take their spiritual, business and personal skills to the next level. Power Lunch is streamed live via stacyspencer.org and features an online chat where viewers can pose questions to and interact with Dr. Spencer.  Fillin’ Station Bookstores offer the latest in Bibles, contemporary Christian best-sellers, reference resources, inspirational novelty items, apparel and Dr. Spencer’s sermons. 

Because he is so passionate about building positive economic enterprises and a sustainable Hickory Hill, he has invested his personal resources to launch a new business venture.  February 1, 2009, Dr. Spencer will launch Wash & Cuts, a full-service upscale barber, beauty and car care salon in the heart of the Hickory Hill community, located at 3581 Hickory Hill. The business hopes to employ nearly 20 employees including barbers, hair stylists, nail technicians, a concierge, detailers and auto mechanics. Beyond bringing a positive business to the community, Spencer wants Wash & Cuts to give back more with a Gifted Hands program, an apprentice program to help young people learn relevant skills and trades.

Dr. Spencer will add author to his long list of accomplishments in 2009 when he releases his book, Naked & Unashamed. The book will be a guide to help Christian married couples return to living naked and unashamed. The impetus for the book was his widely successful Bible study, 40 Nights of Great Sex.  More than 400 diverse couples attended the 5-week marriage seminar. The interactive classes, co-facilitated with his wife, Rhonda F. Spencer, were profiled in Time Magazine and garnered international attention from France and Germany.

He and Rhonda are the proud parents of 4 sons: Calvin, Omari, Jordan and Jaden Lynn.

Dr. Spencer’s Personal Achievements

Educational Experience

• Doctorate of Ministry, Drew University, Madison, New Jersey  - 1999
• Masters of Divinity, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY - 1993
• Bachelors in Broadcast Communication, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY – 1990

Community Leader

• 2003 – Current - Serves on the Board of Directors  - Civil Rights Museum
• November 2005 – Named one of Memphis’ Top 40 Under 40 by the Memphis Business Journal
• September 2005 – Chairperson, Lifeblood’s Hope 4 Healing Campaign
• May 2005 – Pastor of the Year, Memphis Gospel Bridge Awards
• April 2005 – Selected among 60 pastors in the Tri-state area for the Sustained Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program
• 2001 – Recognized as a “Top Gun Under 40 in Memphis” by the Black Business Directory
• Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated

Published Works

• 2007 – Abbingotn Press. He wrote a daily devotional featured in 365 Meditations for Men by Men
• 2001 - Judson Press. Sermon featured in the Top 20 Pastors Under the Age of 40 in the African American Pulpit
• January 2001 - Sermon featured in the African American Pulpit, “Little People Can Do Big Things Too” This sermon is personally close as Dr. Spencer’s son, Jordan, has Achondroplasia.

If you are interested in inviting Dr. Spencer to speak at an upcoming event, please contact Lori McGee, Executive Assistant at (901) 433-3871 or at mcgee.lori@n2newdirection.org. To learn more about New Direction Christian Church, Dr. Spencer or any of the aforementioned initiatives, visit www.n2newdirection.org, www.stacyspencer.org, soulcafememphis.com, powerzoneradio.org, powercentercdc.org or washandcuts.com.