The Rev. Dr. Latonya L. Agard is the eldest of four children born to Lindsey and Ethel McCall.  She was reared and educated in Montgomery, Alabama, where she began her Christian journey at New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.  There, she received Christ as a teenager and began to grow in the areas of Christian Education and public speaking.  During this stage, Dr. Agard fell in love with biblical stories, preaching, and worship.  Her spiritual growth was nurtured by loving, dedicated parents and her small, family-oriented community church.  After graduating from the Sidney Lanier Academic Motivational Program (LAMP), Dr. Agard attended the University of Alabama, where she acquired the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (1997) and the Master of Arts degree in English (2000).  In 2008, she received her Master of Divinity degree in theology (Magna Cum Laude) from Duke University Divinity School.  Most recently, she completed, with distinction, the Doctor of Ministry Program at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (2018).  Her passion for learning and life-long education are reflected not only on her own educational journey but also in her service in higher education at the University of Alabama, Miles College, Barton College, and Hosanna Bible College.

 

As a servant-leader in the Christian community, Dr. Agard has held positions, including Associate Minister, Pastor of Congregational Care, Senior Pastor, and most-recently church planter of Transformation Fellowship Christian Church (TFCC).  Her desire is to inspire others to hope in Christ for their soul salvation and strength to overcome the demands of daily life.  Her vision for Christian ministry is for believers to grow in their relationship with Christ so that they are empowered, equipped, and encouraged to call others into a life-giving relationship with our Lord.  Transformation Fellowship Christian is a new kind faith community for a new kind of season, one in which people crave connection, transparency, authenticity, and commitment to the Ultimate Reality, who is God.  Dr. Agard prayerfully leads TFCC to curate sacred space for #realpeople to experience #realchange in the context of #realrelationship with God and each other through #realfaith in the Living God. A staunch believer in collaborative ministry, Dr. Agard supports the Fuquay-Varina Community Collaborative, the Fuquay-Varina Interdenominational Minister’s Alliance, FACES (Family and Community Empowerment Services), formerly SWFCA, and One Wake, a local IAF Affiliate dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Wake County.

 

As a clinically trained Pastoral Counselor, Dr. Agard is committed to helping individuals and families find healing and wholeness through compassionate and competent spiritually integrated psychotherapy. In 2019 she earned her certification as a North Carolina Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor Associate and founded her business, BeSpeak Solutions, Inc.  Her company seeks to transform lives and communities through narrative-informed practices of pastoral counseling, mentoring, strategic planning, and consulting.  Through BeSpeak Solutions, Inc., “Dr. A” teaches clients to separate themselves, their BEings, from the assumptions and patterns of the toxic language systems they inhabit.  Clients then use this new self-knowledge to discover their unique gifts, find solutions to current problems, imagine new futures, and SPEAK them into existence. Finally, as a certified Transformational DEI Specialist, Dr. A works with organizations to embody just practices that honor the sacredness of those whom they serve and employ.

 

Her extensive experience, education, and training make her a widely sought-after preacher, teacher, facilitator, and clinician who prioritizes the growth and liberation of all people to help make the Beloved Community a concrete reality in the earth.

​

Dr. Agard is married to Sean D. Agard, who works as a Senior Business Analyst for Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC.  To this union, God has blessed the Agards with one daughter, Leah Marie, and a beautiful granddaughter, Kiya. 

 

​