Faculty & Staff
Our Faculty
Dr. Kenneth Samuel, D.Min, M.Ed, B.Min
Vice President, Board of Director, Theology Dean & Faculty
Kenneth D. Samuel was born in Brooklyn NY and raised in The Bronx. After graduating from Christopher Columbus HS he spent the next several years with an evangelistic ministry, spreading the gospel, and developing his teaching skills in NY, MA, PA, and NJ. Kenneth is trained as a journeyman electrician and was a member for many years of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Kenneth holds an Associate’s degree in Biblical Studies, a Bachelors degree in Theology and a Masters degree in Educational Administration and a PhD in Theology. He discovered early on that teaching and training would be a major component of his life’s work. He has travelled internationally as a teaching associate with Leadership Training International a ministry dedicated to equipping third world Christian leaders with tools and training to carry out the Great Commission. Those travels have taken Kenneth up and down the east coast of the United States as well as to Europe and several African countries. Kenneth has worked as a special education teacher instructing students with severe and profound disabilities as well as students with hidden disabilities.
Kenneth was appointed by the governor of Virginia to serve on the state Board for Career and Vocational Education. He also served as a regional trainer for the Institute in Basic Life Principles, a Christian international ministry dedicated to giving clear training on how to find success by following God’s principles as found in Scripture. Kenneth is an entrepreneur successfully selling real estate, mortgages and the owner of an insurance firm.
Kenneth is currently the education manager for the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in Central Virginia. Kenneth is also the Vice President of Seraphim Ministries International Bible College in Hopewell Virginia. He is the Father of four grown sons, 5 grandchildren and the husband of the lovely Dorothy Jones Samuel.
Apostle Edward Blackwell, Jr. M.Div, B.Min
Board of Director & Faculty and Director of Zion Hill Campus
Apostle Blackwell is a member of the Board of Directors and Dean of Spiritual Growth at the Zion Hill (West Hopewell) Campus with Seraphim Ministries International Bible College.
He attended J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, Virginia Union University School of Theology via the Evans Smith Institute, Seraphim Ministries International Bible College where he holds a Bachelor of Ministry Degree and a Master of Divinity Degree from Seraphim Ministries International Bible College.
Apostle Blackwell is the senior pastor of Zion Hill Temple of Prayer Church and the presiding prelate for Strait Gate Outreach Ministries. He is also the Chaplain and Reentry Program Grant coordinator at the Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George, Virginia
Pastor Laura Amison, ABD, M.Div., BBA
Administrator/CFO, Advisor & Faculty
Pastor Laura Amison is a native of Petersburg, Virginia. She is the wife to Joseph Amison and mother of one son, Moses. She heard the voice of God speak two simple words “Go Minister!” She diligently thereafter has pursued her calling. In May of 2007, Pastor Laura received her License to Preach the Gospel from Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia. In 2009, Pastor Laura was ordained under a pastoral call from Seraphim Ministries International, where she is a member and serves. In between that time, she has earned a Bachelor in Business Administration and since then her Master in Divinity and soon to obtain her Doctorate in Divinity upon completion of her Dissertation. She serves as an Associate Pastor, Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Praise Team Leader and on the Board of Elders at SMI Life Center. She also serves as an Instructor and Administrator for SMI Bible College. But above all of this, she says: “I’m not what I should be, but I’m not what I used to be; I’m not perfect but forgiven and I strive to make my today more pleasing to God than my yesterdays, because I love the LORD.”
Elder Barbara Smith, ABD, M.Ed, BA,
Board of Director, Faculty, Dean of Christian Education & Advisor
Elder Barbara Smith is a native of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and resides in Petersburg, Virginia. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Virginia State University. She recently retired after 40 years of service in various educational settings.
She truly believes if someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.
Rev Darrell Hughes, B.Min
Faculty
Rev. Darrell Hughes holds a Bachelor of Ministry degree; he serves as Assistant Pastor and Board of Elders Chairperson of SMI Life Center.
Apostle Claudine G. Lee, MS, BS
Board of Director, Dean of Christian Counseling, Faculty & Director of Petersburg Campus
Apostle Claudine G. Lee is dedicated and committed to the growth, empowerment, and advancement of the Kingdom of God. She is currently the Founder, Pastor, and Episcopal Overseer of Tabernacle of Praise International Church, Incorporated located in Petersburg, Virginia and the Spiritual Officer & Presiding Prelate of the Tabernacle of Praise Fellowship Alliance.
Her passionate and wise teachings stem from her profound Hebraic roots and experiences as a member and previous student at Emmanuel Worship Center’s Biblical Institute. As a lifelong learner and wholeheartedly dedicated to self-improvement, Apostle Lee has earned an Associate degree in Business Management, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She also was inducted into the Chi Upsilon Chi Chapter, National Honor Society of Counseling and is a resident with the Virginia Board of Counseling. As a mandated disciple, messenger, and carrier of the word of life, she does not take her work for granted as it involves the expansion of the Kingdom.
Apostle Lee is on the Board of Directors, Dean of the Counseling Department, and an Instructor of Seraphim Ministries International Bible College.
Pastor LaTonya Cain, M.S.W., B.A. Psych.
Faculty
Pastor LaTonya Cain is a native of Petersburg, Virginia, where she received her secondary education. Her academic background also consists of a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a master’s degree in Human Behavior with a specialization in Mental Health Services. She is also an inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success with a Certification in Foundations of Leadership. In the marketplace, she has established a career in the field of human services assisting disenfranchised populations as an employment coach, case manager, and counselor specializing in crisis intervention and substance abuse. As a gift to the Body of Christ, she labors as the Founder and Senior Pastor of Bethel Revival Church in Emporia, Virginia – a Judeo-Christian congregation continuing the works of Jesus Christ to empower the present generation to live victoriously. Pastor Cain is also called upon to render powerful conferences and workshops pertaining to prayer, leadership development, women’s enrichment, and her first love: praise and worship. As an anointed worship leader and psalmist for over 20 years, her passion is to unite the glory of the Lord with the hearts of His people. Her passion and gift have made room for her and afforded opportunities to share platforms with many notable Gospel Music artists. Of all she has been fortunate to achieve with God’s help, Pastor Cain’s greatest ambition is to assist others with connecting to God and His purposes for mankind. While operating with zeal and wisdom beyond her years, she is committed to walking in the grace afforded to her to