CECILIAPONDERTime Of Inspiration

Keynote

Keynote Address

Erik G. Williams

Erik Williams Foundation · Dallas, TX

Central State University

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3× Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys and Central State University (HBCU) alumnus. Founder of the Erik Williams Foundation, providing scholarships and grants in faith, education, athletics, and job training for underserved youth.

Ponder Legacy

Legacy of Inspiration

Cecilia Ponder Time Of Inspiration

Canton Community · Canton, OH

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The Cecilia Ponder Time Of Inspiration honors Cecelia Louise (Reed) Ponder through a named Classic Weekend gathering that brings the community together through music, arts, and special messages before kickoff. Remembered in Canton for decades of service in the medical field and as an avid football fan, her legacy continues to inspire this annual moment of faith and community.

Ponder Legacy

Classic Community Liaison

Ron Ponder

PonderSystems Media · Canton, OH

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Ron Ponder is a longtime Canton civic and community leader. His public service has included roles as Deputy Mayor, President of the Stark County NAACP, and a Salvation Army board member. A former WHBC host and CEO of PonderSystems Media, he has also consulted for PBS affiliates and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Classic Weekend involvement includes helping organize the Cecilia Ponder Time Of Inspiration and other community activities.

Benediction & Dismissal

Elder David L. Reliford

The Light Church · Akron, OH

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Elder David L. Reliford is an ordained elder at The Light Church and a longtime member of the Ohio North Jurisdiction #1 Church of God in Christ Ordination Board. Holding a Master of Divinity and a B.A. in Business Management, he leads in ministry, business, education, and community service. As president of Cornerstone Executive Search Group and Cornerstone Info Assurance, and through his work with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the Kappa Tau Scholarship Fund, he has advanced opportunity, mentorship, and college access. His interfaith commitment is rooted in compassionate service, meaningful dialogue, and shared purpose. He offers the Benediction and Dismissal for the seventh annual service.

Introduction to the NWFFL

Yuri Averette

NWFFL · Chicago, IL

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Yuri Averette is the founder of the National Women’s Flag Football League (NWFFL) and a service-minded leader committed to expanding opportunity through sport, leadership, and community engagement. His work is grounded in more than 17 years of volunteer service, including ministry-based outreach and leadership with the American Red Cross of Northwest Illinois. Averette brings a people-first vision to the field—building spaces where athletes, families, and communities can grow, compete, and thrive.

Welcome

Honorable Chris Smith

City of Canton · Canton, OH

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The Honorable Chris Smith serves as Ward 4 Council Person for the City of Canton. Her public service includes chairing the Rules Committee and serving on committees focused on community and economic development, public property and capital improvement, and finance. As the owner of Chris’ Talk of the Town Beauty Salon, she pairs civic leadership with longstanding local business experience. She offers the official Welcome to the seventh annual Interfaith Sunday Service.

Memorial Service

Rev. Dr. Sharon R. Johnson

Healing Waters Ministries Church · University City, MO

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Dr. Sharon R. Johnson is a Canton, Ohio native, entrepreneur, ordained minister, Elder, Evangelist, and respected community leader. She is the owner and operator of The Hair Gallery Enterprises, Incorporated and has decades of leadership experience within the Ohio Association of Beauticians, Inc., including service as its 20th State President. Dr. Johnson is the founder and leader of WOMEN WITH the WORD of GOD Ministries (WWWofGOD). She also serves through W.H.I.P. — Women Hallowed In Prayer — where she leads a Prayer Line, and as a minister on a Prophetic/Healing Team. A woman of faith with a heart for ministry and service, Dr. Johnson is passionate about sharing the goodness and redeeming power of God while encouraging and uplifting the lives of others.

Old Testament Reading

Rabbi Matt Cohen

Temple Emanu El · Orange Village, OH

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Rabbi Matt Cohen has served Temple Emanu El since 2022. Ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 2012, he brings nearly 30 years of worship leadership across congregational, camp, religious-school, and youth settings. Active in interfaith and civic engagement, he joins the Cecilia Ponder Time Of Inspiration to offer the Old Testament reading from Joshua 1:8–9.

Altar Call

Pastor George Lancaster

Zion’s Temple Church of God · Canton, OH

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Pastor George Lancaster is the Senior and Founding Pastor of Zion’s Temple Church of God in Canton. For more than 30 years, his ministry and community work have served youth and families through behavioral intervention, school-community support, law-enforcement chaplaincy, and family-strengthening programs. A certified Parent Project facilitator, co-founder of the Tyler Scott Lancaster Diabetic Foundation, and Interfaith Coalition Council member, he brings a deeply local commitment to unity, care, and restoration to the Altar Call at the seventh annual service.

Music Ministry

Pastor Lance Bell

Mount Olive Baptist Church · Akron, OH

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Pastor Lance Bell is an Akron faith and music leader whose public Gospel Sundays work spans at least 2017–2025. A minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church, he performed with the Mount Olive Praise Team in the series’ sixth year and later became its organizer, bringing free outdoor gospel concerts, church choirs, and local artists into welcoming community spaces. A longtime DJ and advocate for connecting younger audiences with gospel music, he opens the seventh annual service with Music Ministry.

Announcements

Pastor Dr. Eugene Norris II

Mountain of the Lord Fellowship · Akron, OH

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Pastor Dr. Eugene Norris II is the Senior Pastor and Founder of Mountain of the Lord Fellowship in Akron. His ministry brings together pastoral leadership, neighborhood service, community development, and a longstanding commitment to strengthening families. He has also been recognized for civic and cultural engagement across Summit County. During the Interfaith Sunday Service, he shares announcements for the Business Reception, Tailgate, Concert and Game, and Trophy Presentation.