The Fourth Temptation
Rev. Reginald Wayne Sharpe, Jr. 

Rev. Sharpe explores the challenge of overcoming the pressure to please others and the inner conflict that arises when the desire to gain approval occasionally wins. He acknowledges that the need for external validation is a natural part of the human experience, but it emphasizes the importance of not allowing that desire to dictate one’s life decisions or self-worth.


The Reverend Reginald Wayne Sharpe Jr., first born child of Reginald Sr. and Fay Phillips-Sharpe, serves as Senior Pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Sharpe is a proud

native of Lithonia, Georgia, and a son of The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church ~ The House of Hope Atlanta.


Sharpe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia (2013), a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee

(2016), and a Master of Theology degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia (2018). Currently, Sharpe is pursuing a Ph.D. in African American Preaching and Sacred

Rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. Reverend Sharpe is one of the proud charter members of the Academy of Preachers and was one of the youngest inducted into The Martin

Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 2018. He also taught as an adjunct professor in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Morehouse College. Among his many distinctions,

Reverend Sharpe is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Reverend Sharpe faithfully served as Campus Pastor of the House of Hope Macon for 3.5 years. 


Under Sharpe's dynamic and Spirit-led leadership, the church experienced astronomical growth both spiritually

and numerically. Since December 31, 2019, Reverend Sharpe has faithfully served as the Senior Pastor of the historic

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Sharpe is honored to follow in the pastoral lineage of the late Reverend Clay Evans and Pastor Charles Jenkins. Under the leadership of Reverend Sharpe, Fellowship

Chicago has experienced astonishing growth in all aspects of ministry, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. After suspending in-person worship in March 2020, Fellowship launched #TheVirtualShip, a virtual extension of the church’s ministry, which engages an average weekly audience of 25,000 people.

Sharpe unrelentingly believed that, “Although the building was closed, the church was still open.”


While Reverend Reginald Wayne Sharpe Jr. is mostly known for his preaching ministry, those closest to him know that he values quality time with family and friends, is a committed student of theology and

homiletics, and believes in the virtue of kindness. In December 2015, Reverend Sharpe married the gifted and talented, Brianna Sullivan Sharpe. Together they serve in ministry and currently live in Chicago, Illinois.

More About the Speaker

  • Discussion Guides

    These discussion guides are designed to help small groups, Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and individuals engage the content of each TheoEd Talk more deeply. 


    Click Here to Download
By Cole Arthur Riley November 9, 2024
In this talk, Cole explores how individuals can maintain their faith in a seemingly silent God, particularly in times of suffering and distress. Cole delves into the complex relationship between trauma and spirituality. Cole suggests that, rather than losing belief, individuals can engage in practices that foster a deeper presence to both themselves and the world around them, even in the absence of clear signs of God’s presence.
By Dr. Moshe Szyf November 9, 2024
Dr. Szyf delves into the fascinating science of epigenetics and its profound implications for understanding intergenerational trauma. Epigenetics refers to how environmental factors—such as stress, trauma, and life experiences—can influence gene expression without changing the DNA sequence itself. This talk explains how trauma experienced by one generation can leave biological marks on the genes, which may then be passed down to subsequent generations.
By Sister Theresa Sullivan November 9, 2024
Sister Theresa Sullivan discusses the profound impact of serving others, emphasizing that it's not just an obligation but a gift. She explains that seeing service as a privilege, rather than a burden, can transform the way we approach helping others. The talk highlights the deep responsibility that comes with caring for those around us, acknowledging that it requires effort, empathy, and sometimes sacrifice.
More Talks
Share by: