Our Staff

BRENTWOOD STAFF

Executive Leadership

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff

The Reverend Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff is a native of Lumberton, North Carolina; where in 1962, he began his Christian journey by uniting with The Mt. Sinai United Holy Church of Lumberton. Seven years later, he answered his Call to Ministry while attending Morehouse College. He served as pastor of the Cobb Memorial United Holy Church in Atlanta, Georgia for eight years.

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff was elected as pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church of Houston, Texas in February 1980. He married Doris Ernestine Gardner in August of 1980. By the year 2000 had grown it from a 500 member congregation to a mega-church of 12,000.

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff has distinguished himself as a scholar-pastor in the African-American tradition of preaching and has sought excellence in numerous endeavors. Among them are these distinctions:

See Dr. Ratliff’s bio

Pastor

713-852-1400

jratliff@brentwoodbaptist.org

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff

The Reverend Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff is a native of Lumberton, North Carolina; where in 1962, he began his Christian journey by uniting with…

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff has distinguished himself as a scholar-pastor in the African-American tradition of preaching and has sought excellence in numerous endeavors. Among them are these distinctions:

See Dr. Ratliff’s bio

Administrators

Paul Jefferson

Paul Jefferson comes to us from Dallas, Texas, where he resided most of his life. Paul is the proud son of Thomas & the late Davella Jefferson. He has 5 brothers and 2 sisters and is a graduate of Richland College.

Prior to joining the staff at the Brentwood Baptist Church, Paul served as an independent Insurance Agent for Allstate, for over 20 years. In this regard, Paul enjoyed the honor of having one of the most successful agencies in the state, where he was honored for his stellar performance and achievements for 11 consecutive years. While an independent insurance agent for Allstate, he had a customer base of 2000 plus and an annual premium base of $2,000,000.

Although Paul Jefferson’s professional achievements are significant, he derives his greatest pleasure from his role as a mentor and spiritual leader. Paul served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park for over 15 years. Although this was his primary leadership role, Paul also served as the President of the 200 voice Male Chorus and as the Insurance Advisor for the church. Because of his maturity, keen discernment and loyalty, Paul served as a Special Advisor to Senior Pastor, J. Lee Foster.

Paul is active in his community, and seeks to make life better for all around him. God blesses all of us with one gift, but Paul Jefferson has been blessed with many gifts. While working in organizations which assisted the elderly with home repairs and maintenance, Paul also managed to coordinate reading programs for some of the local elementary schools in Dallas. He served in with inner-city youths, and he has been active in ministries involving feeding the homeless and African-American health issues. Paul is the proud godfather to Alicia, Jordan, Brandon and Devin.

Here at Brentwood Paul serves as the Church Business Administrator. His departments include: Accounting, Human Resources, Administrative Services and The Endowment Program. He is the Facilitator for the Brentwood Community Foundation, Budget Review, Center for Child Development, Federal Credit Union, Scholarship Committee, and Trustees.

Church Business Administrator

713-852-1433

pjefferson@brentwoodbaptist.org

Paul Jefferson

Paul Jefferson comes to us from Dallas, Texas, where he resided most of his life. Paul is the proud son of Thomas & the late Davella Jefferson…

Paul Jefferson

Rev. Mary A. Frazier

Mary Frazier has been actively involved in youth ministry since joining Brentwood in 1980. She has been Minister of Youth and College since February of 2006.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and works as an Office Manager with MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Mary is a native of Hemphill, Texas. She has been married to Tommy Frazier for 27 years and is the mother of three wonderful children.

Youth & College

713-852-1440

mfrazier@brentwoodbaptist.org

Rev. Mary A. Frazier

Mary Frazier has been actively involved in youth ministry since joining Brentwood in 1980. She has been Minister of Youth and College since February…

Rev. Mary A. Frazier

Mary Frazier has been actively involved in youth ministry since joining Brentwood in 1980. She has been Minister of Youth and College since February of 2006.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and works as an Office Manager with MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Mary is a native of Hemphill, Texas. She has been married to Tommy Frazier for 27 years and is the mother of three wonderful children.

Augusta Green IV

Augusta Green, IV, is the Director of the Joe Samuel Ratliff Lifelong Learning Center (LLC). He is a native Houstonian, the youngest of seven children of Augusta Jr. and Cora Green (both deceased.) Augusta accepted Christ as a young boy at South Union Missionary Baptist Church-Houston where he participated in several activities including president of the youth choir. Augusta’s education includes a degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute, Houston, a Bachelors of Art-Interdisciplinary Studies, from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ. and a Master’s of Science in Leadership, from the Grand Canyon University Ken Blanchard College of Business.

“Gus” as he is sometimes called, is a familiar face on the Brentwood Campus. He has been a Freelance Interior Designer over 25 years and was contracted to give the Brentwood Campus a facelift over a two-year period beginning in January1998. In 2000 he joined the Brentwood staff. He eventually landed the contract as Interior Designer for the Doris Gardner Ratliff Center for Child Development and the Joe Samuel Ratliff Lifelong Learning Center facility. His practical use of space, combined with eclectic furnishings, exciting colors and wall treatments, has produced a pronounced upscale look around the campus. It was inevitable that Mr. Green’s talent would be called upon again with the renovation of the Worship Center and the Staff Offices.

As Director of the LLC, Mr. Green and his staff of seven are responsible for balancing the schedule of events on the Brentwood Campus.

He always has a kind word to say and it doesn’t take much to get him to laugh. His attitude to make it happen, his dedication to excellence and his passion for flare are the ingredients that have help the LLC Building become another thriving community beacon to the Brentwood Baptist Church campus. He is the facilitator for the Book Club, Catering, LOVE Ministry, Scheduling, The Cancer Support Ministry, Senior Adult Ministry and the Wellness Ministry. In addition to his work at Brentwood Baptist Church, he is also a member of the Brentwood Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, a member of the NBLIC (National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer and the RCMA (Religious Conference Management Assoc.)

Lifelong Learning Center Director

713-852-1485

agreen@brentwoodbaptist.org

Augusta Green IV

Augusta Green, IV, is the Director of the Joe Samuel Ratliff Lifelong Learning Center (LLC). He is a native Houstonian, the youngest of seven children of…

Augusta Green IV

As Director of the LLC, Mr. Green and his staff of seven are responsible for balancing the schedule of events on the Brentwood Campus.

Kevin W. Williams

Rev. Williams, a native of Beaumont, Texas, is one of six children. Three of his siblings are pastors. He attended Starlight Baptist Church in Beaumont where he was a musician, playing the drums for nine years. Rev Williams moved to Houston in 1987 and united with Brentwood in 1988. He responded to his calling to the ministry in 1990, under Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff’s leadership. He completed studies at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary.

Prior to joining Brentwood staff as Minister of Facilities Management in January of 1997, he worked for the Santa Fe Railway for seventeen years. Currently Rev. Williams facilitates 13 of the 100 ministries that exist on the Brentwood Church Campus. He strives to enhance the church activities and facilities while reaching people, developing believers and engaging in missions. Rev. Williams and his lovely wife Allyson La’marr are the proud parents of five children, Courtney Rochelle, Kevin Wayne, II, Ayana La’marr, Malik Miles, and Kelsey Denise. They are also the proud grandparents of three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Facilities Management & Outreach

713-852-1416

kwilliams@brentwoodbaptist.org

Rev. Kevin W. Williams

Rev. Williams, a native of Beaumont, Texas, is one of six children. Three of his siblings are pastors. He attended Starlight Baptist Church in Beaumont…

Kevin W. Williams

Rev. Albert A. Kemp

Albert A. Kemp is a native Houstonian. He received his High School Diploma from Ross Sterling. Rev. Albert Kemp was trained in a family where his father was a pastor of churches in Richmond, Rosenberg and Houston, Texas. Both grandfathers on his mother and father’s side were preachers among other preachers and pastors in his family. He began his ministry of publicly proclaiming the gospel in 1977 under the late Rev. Dr. M.L. Price at Greater Zion Baptist Church, Houston.

Attending Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, he received his Associate of Arts Degree. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Scarritt College of Christian Workers in Nashville, Tennessee majoring in Christian Education. The Master of Divinity was earned from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Rev. Kemp has attended Seminars and Conferences throughout the United States. He has been the pastor of several churches in Texas.

Rev. Kemp is also an educator certified by the Texas State Board of Education in the areas of Special Education, Driver Education and English as a Second Language. He has worked for several Independent School Districts in the Greater Houston area. Rev. Kemp is licensed as a Realtor and Insurance agent in the State of Texas.

Rev. Kemp is married to Cynthia M. Kemp, a Counselor certified by the Texas State Board of Education. Together they have three children: Elise, Christopher, and Amaris.

Congregational Development

713-852-1439

akemp@brentwoodbaptist.org

Rev. Albert A. Kemp

Albert A. Kemp is a native Houstonian. He received his High School Diploma from Ross Sterling. Rev. Albert Kemp was trained in a family where his father was…

Rev. Albert A. Kemp

Rev. Kemp is married to Cynthia M. Kemp, a Counselor certified by the Texas State Board of Education. Together they have three children: Elise, Christopher, and Amaris. Read more

Dr. C. Clay Pickens

The Reverend Dr. Carolyn Clay Pickens serves as Social Justice Advocate and Staff Minister of Brentwood Baptist Church. Dr. Pickens passionately shares the Word of God through her teaching, lecturing, and preaching. She is an advocate for criminal justice reform, abolishing the death penalty and putting an end to the atrocity of human trafficking. She has a heart for social justice and serves as the facilitator of the ministries and organizations that follow. Dr. Pickens completed her Doctor of Ministry degree from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary (Waco, TX). She earned her Masters of Divinity degree from Houston Graduate School of Theology and her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of North Texas (Denton, TX). Rev. Pickens was licensed at Brentwood under Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff in 1986, and was ordained in 1988. She has served in full-time ministry on the Brentwood staff since 1994. Prior to Ministry, her corporate career included 20 years in the Aerospace and Banking industries in System Development.

Dr. Pickens has served multiple terms with the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and as a Board Member of both the Baptist Mission Center and Trinity Pines Conference Center. She has also served as an Executive member of the Associational Leadership Committee for Union Baptist Association. Dr. Pickens served as a volunteer Chaplain for the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center for over 15 years. She is a member of Leaders Edge and of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Clay Pickens is the daughter of the late Eleanor and Marshall Clay, Jr. of Tyler, Texas. She is married to Rev. Larry V. Pickens, a Baptist Minister and Educator. They are parents and the proud grandparents of 4 precious grandchildren. Her most impressive claim is as a “Child of God”.

Social Justice Advocate

cpickens@brentwoodbaptist.org

Dr. C. Clay Pickens

The Reverend Dr. Carolyn Clay Pickens serves as Social Justice Advocate and Staff Minister of Brentwood Baptist Church. Dr. Pickens passionately shares the…

Dr. C. Clay Pickens

Rev. Erick Powers

Reverend Erick Powers was born in Houston, Texas and has been a member of Brentwood Baptist Church since he was a child. At Brentwood, Rev. Powers founded The G.O.D. (Givers of Devotion) Squad; a youth ministry step team. Then while he was a student at Tennessee State University, under watch-care at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Nashville, he started a college ministry by using the church van to pick up students from Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University. He also started a youth bible study and drill team at the church.

Rev. Powers accepted his call to the Gospel Ministry and preached his first sermon on February 22, 2006. He currently serves as Minister of Young Adults and Marketing at Brentwood Baptist Church and works with the Children’s Ministry.

Rev. Powers is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and has served as Chaplain on the chapter, city, and the district level as the 9th District Chaplain which encompasses Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.

Rev. Powers is married to Mrs. Roslyn Ardoin Powers. They have been blessed with two beautiful children, Jordan and Maxwell.

Marketing & Young Adults

713-852-1439

epowers@brentwoodbaptist.org

Rev. Erick Powers

Reverend Erick Powers was born in Houston, Texas and has been a member of Brentwood Baptist Church since he was a child. At Brentwood, Rev. Powers founded…

Rev. Erick Powers

Rev. Powers is married to Mrs. Roslyn Ardoin Powers. They have been blessed with two beautiful children, Jordan and Maxwell.

Barba A Thomas

Rev. Thomas joined the Brentwood staff in 2001 and is a licensed and ordained minister. She is currently the facilitator for the Children’s Ministry, the Alzheimer Ministry, Baby Dedication and is the Meeting Planner for off campus events. Rev. Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has more than thirty years of experience in the field of clinical social work, providing individual and family psychotherapy.

Rev. Thomas earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Texas Southern University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston. She has received numerous awards and recognition for community service. Her honors include being inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame by Governor Ann Richards, Women’s Hall of Fame Texas Department of Human Resources and The Clinical Sage Award Optum Behavioral Health.

Rev. Thomas is an active member of several professional and community organizations. She has held offices with the Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas, National Vice-President and Houston Chapter President National Association of Black Social Workers.

Rev. Thomas is the author of six books – novel, poetry and spiritual inspiration. She is married to Frank Dan Thomas III. She has three children and two grandchildren.

Children & Events Coordinator

713-852-1441

bthomas@brentwoodbaptist.org

Rev. Barbara A. Thomas

Rev. Thomas joined the Brentwood staff in 2001 and is a licensed and ordained minister. She is currently the facilitator for the Children’s Ministry, the Alzheimer Ministry…

Barbara A. Thomas

Rev. Thomas is the author of six books – novel, poetry and spiritual inspiration. She is married to Frank Dan Thomas III. She has three children and two grandchildren.

Barba A Thomas

Rev. Thomas is the author of six books – novel, poetry and spiritual inspiration. She is married to Frank Dan Thomas III. She has three children and two grandchildren.

Music Ministry

vmmckay@brentwoodbaptist.org

V. Michael McKay

For more than fifty years, churches throughout the country have been inspired by the words and
music of V. Michael McKay. As a well-respected conductor,…

V. Michael McKay

For more than fifty years, churches throughout the country have been inspired by the words and
music of V. Michael McKay. As a well-respected conductor, clinician, speaker, songwriter, author,
and radio talk show host, McKay dedicated his earlier life to a greater level of ministry, with a
passion to meet the needs of people in the contemporary Christian community.
As a respected composer of Gospel songs, other national artists such as Yolanda Adams, Kirk
Whalum, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar, Brian
Courtney Wilson, Daryl Coley, Tramaine Hawkins, Byron Cage, Micah Stampley, Dorothy
Norwood, Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker, and many more have recorded his songs.
V. Michael McKay has conducted countless church music workshops and seminars, serves as a
church Minister of Music, and worked as an adjunct professor at Houston Community College.
McKay presently serves as Creative Director for the development of the Gospel Music Haus and
Museum in Houston, Texas, a vision in the process of becoming a reality, alongside his lifelong
friend and confidant, Yolanda Adams. Since the inception of the vision of the Gospel Music Haus
and Museum, he organized a multi-state leadership development program for young professionals
called Torchbearers.

Church Staff