Pastors

Dr. E. Marcel Jones

Senior Pastor

Cummings Street Baptist Church, Memphis, TN

Teaching 2 sessions at CFTF 2026

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About

Biography

Dr. E. Marcel Jones is an accomplished educator, pastor, and author whose career spans more than twenty-five years of service in education, ministry, and community leadership. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Jones has served as a middle school principal and district-level administrator overseeing Human Resources for Shelby County Schools. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Christian Brothers University, where he helps prepare and develop the next generation of educational leaders.

In 2017, Dr. Jones answered God's call to pastoral ministry and became the Senior Pastor of Cummings Street Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Under his leadership, the church has experienced significant growth and continues to impact lives through worship, discipleship, outreach, and community engagement.

Dr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Policy Studies. He is also a prolific author, having published more than 90 books spanning leadership, education, faith, and personal growth. Several of his works have earned recognition as Amazon #1 New Releases. Dr. Jones resides in Memphis, Tennessee, with his wife and their two children.

2026 Teaching

Classes & Sessions

Dr. Jones is teaching 2 sessions during Contending for the Faith 2026.

Day 2 · Workshop C

Peer Pressure vs. God Pressure — Dr. E. Marcel Jones

Wednesday · 10:40 AM – 12:00 PM

Every leader faces pressure. Sometimes it comes from the culture. Sometimes it comes from the congregation. Sometimes it comes from fellow believers. In a world where popularity is often rewarded, and conviction is often criticized, how do spiritual leaders discern the difference between pleasing people and pleasing God? This practical and thought-provoking workshop explores the tension between peer pressure and God pressure. Participants will examine biblical examples of leaders who faced intense opposition, learn how to recognize unhealthy influences, and discover strategies for making decisions rooted in God's calling rather than public opinion. Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, teacher, or servant leader, this session will challenge you to lead with courage, conviction, and clarity. There's this horizontal pull from peers and people vs. this vertical pull from God that creates this cross conundrum — sacrificial tension that rises with every decision, every sermon, every interaction with the people we lead. Because let's be honest, we all enjoy the applause from people! But we also chase the affirmation from God.

Class details →

Day 2 · Workshop D

Peer Pressure vs. God Pressure (repeat) — Dr. E. Marcel Jones

Wednesday · 1:15 – 2:30 PM

Every leader faces pressure. Sometimes it comes from the culture. Sometimes it comes from the congregation. Sometimes it comes from fellow believers. In a world where popularity is often rewarded, and conviction is often criticized, how do spiritual leaders discern the difference between pleasing people and pleasing God? This practical and thought-provoking workshop explores the tension between peer pressure and God pressure. Participants will examine biblical examples of leaders who faced intense opposition, learn how to recognize unhealthy influences, and discover strategies for making decisions rooted in God's calling rather than public opinion. Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, teacher, or servant leader, this session will challenge you to lead with courage, conviction, and clarity. There's this horizontal pull from peers and people vs. this vertical pull from God that creates this cross conundrum — sacrificial tension that rises with every decision, every sermon, every interaction with the people we lead. Because let's be honest, we all enjoy the applause from people! But we also chase the affirmation from God.

Class details →

Schedule