HAWKINS, TX — Jarvis Christian University is proud to announce that Rev. Olujimi Brown, a distinguished alumnus from the Class of 1999 and the founding pastor of Impact Church in Atlanta, Georgia, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2025 J.N. Ervin Founders Convocation. The celebration will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the historic Smith-Howard Chapel on the university’s campus.
Themed “Lean In, Move Forward, Elevate,” this year’s convocation will honor the university’s founding legacy while challenging students, faculty, alumni, and the greater Jarvis community to embrace purpose, progress, and spiritual growth.
Rev. Brown is widely known for his dynamic leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to empowering others through faith and service. As the founding pastor of Impact Church, one of Atlanta’s fastest-growing and most socially engaged congregations, he has built a ministry rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and community transformation. Under his leadership, the church has become a vibrant hub for spiritual renewal, education, and outreach, touching thousands of lives both locally and beyond.
“It is a tremendous honor to return to Jarvis Christian University to speak at the J.N. Ervin Founders Convocation,” said Rev. Brown. “My years at Jarvis shaped not only my faith but also my identity as a leader. I look forward to pouring back into a place that has poured so much into me.”
A proud graduate of Jarvis Christian University, Rev. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and later earned advanced degrees in theology and pastoral leadership. His career has spanned education, nonprofit management, and ministry, but he is perhaps most widely recognized for his passionate preaching and his ability to connect faith with action in the public square.
Rev. Brown has been featured in national faith conferences, podcasts, and publications, and continues to be an advocate for social justice, youth development, and civic engagement.
The J.N. Ervin Founders Convocation is one of the university’s most cherished traditions, held each year to commemorate the founding of the institution and to honor the legacy of Rev. J.N. Ervin, the first African American president of Jarvis Christian University. The convocation not only honors the past but also challenges the current generation to rise with faith and purpose.
“This year’s convocation speaker is especially meaningful,” said Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt, President of Jarvis Christian University. “Rev. Olujimi Brown embodies the very spirit of Jarvis—a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and servant leadership. We are proud to welcome him home.”
The event is open to students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the public.
For more information about the 2025 J.N. Ervin Founders Convocation or to explore other Founders/Homecoming Week events, visit www.jarvis.edu.
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