The Emmanuel Fellowship of Dallas

                       Dr. Royal is the son of the late Rev. Dr. S. J. Royal, corresponding secretary to the National Baptist Convention, Inc. and Mrs. Latona Royal, an educator. He has four brothers, who are all Baptist pastors, and a sister in full time Christian mission work. His formative educational experiences occurred in the public school systems of Louisville, Kentucky and Forth Worth, Texas. After attending Morehouse College for three years majoring in religion, he received his B.A. in History from Augusta State University.

Securing a M.Div. from the Morehouse School of Religion with honors, he attained the Dean’s List and Exceptional Student Award for every semester enrolled. Realizing the need to continue crafting his gifts for ministry, he is a graduated Woods/Thomas doctoral fellow of the United Theological Seminary of Dayton, OH. His Dissertation was entitled, “Empowering Laity Through Revelation: A Model of Proclamation that Fosters Lay Participation in the Local Church.”

                                                     An informal, humorous and anointed preaching style and delivery have garnered him attention from both the ecclesiastical and academic worlds. Among the ten awards received at ITC, he twice received the prestigious Isaac Clark award for preaching. The award is named for the famed Interdenominational Theological Center professor of Homiletics. He also made the dean’s list and superlative student award every semester enrolled. Furthermore, he is highly sought after as a revivalist and lecturer in the Church. The Minister’s Alliance of Columbia TN, Next Level Conference of the AME pastors in Tallahassee Florida, the Testimonial Pentecostal Conference of Memphis, Texas BM& E State Convention Late Night, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the National Baptist Publishing Board December Conference are a few sites where he has proclaimed the Gospel. While in Memphis, a local African American newspaper, the Tri-State Defender, recognized him as one of the city’s leading pastor.

                                             Cited as a leader in the public school classroom, Dr. Royal is a graduated Sid Richardson Fellow of Texas Christian University.  He is also the senior Assistant Principal at the Historic Dunbar High School of Fort Worth Texas where he leads community initiatives, the Humanities Department and Special education.

                              Dr. Royal is a strong advocate for denominational work on the local state and national level. Having served in the Memphis district congress, the Minister’s Division of the TN BM&E state convention, the National Baptist Publishing Board Advisory Committee.

                             His deep love for for people is also expressed in his several church and community related affiliations.  Dr. Royal is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a proud Past Master of Rescue #20 Lodge MWPHGL of Texas and the Most Wise of Fort Worth Consistory #281.

Licensed and ordained by Pastor C. D. Britt at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas, has served churches in GA, NY, and TN.

The Lord has blessed him to relocate home to the great state of Texas where he is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of the Emmanuel Fellowship of Dallas Texas. He also serves on the New Church Work Committee of the Dallas Baptist Association and is the Dean of the Congress of the Northwestern Baptist Association.

 

                                                      He is happily married to the former Faith McCrone, a school counselor and licensed TX LPC associate.  Faith is also an honor graduate of Spelman College.  They are blessed with two children, Imani Eliana Royal, a Senior Social Work Student at Tarleton State University, and Artis Jr. a Junior at the prestigious Young Men’s Leadership Academy.

 

                                                              His favorite scripture is Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”