The story of the apostle Paul will be the focus of a series of lectures held at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Talladega given by Dr. Christopher N. Jeffries, provost and vice president for academic affairs for Talladega College.

Jeffries and his wife, Wanda, have recently joined the membership of Mt. Canaan.

Jeffries’ book, “Inspired Leadership-The Apostle Paul’s Example for Today’s Leaders,” is the basis for his presentation Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Mt. Canaan.

Jeffries is an assistant Sunday School teacher for the church, working with Mt. Canaan’s Men’s Class.

He is a native of Greensboro, N.C., one of six children of James and Cora Lee Jeffries.

He is a graduate of James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro and received his bachelor’s degree in economics from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., and his master’s degree in economics from Ohio University. Jeffries received his Ph.D. in economics from Florida State University.

He has been a professor for Jackson State University, Columbus State University, Bennett College and Florida A&M University. Jeffries is an award winning educator and the recipient of a Fulbright Lecturer Award to the People’s Republic of China.

In addition to two visits to China, Jeffries has traveled in professional pursuits to Japan, South Korea, South Africa and Brazil.

Jeffries spent his youth attending a United Methodist Church before joining the Baptist denomination as an adult.

He has been an active member of Fourth Street Baptist Church in Columbus, Ga.; Greater Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss.; First African Missionary Baptist Church, in Tuscaloosa; Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas; and Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Talladega.

In the congregations, Jeffries has served in a variety of capacities, including as an adult Sunday School teacher, a church trustee, as director of Christian education, as assistant superintendent of Sunday School, a youth speaker, Men’s Day speaker and as Christian education workshop presenter.

Jeffries has served as provost/vice president for academic affairs at Texas College in Tyler, Texas. Prior to being promoted to executive vice president, Jeffries was vice president for academic affairs for Stillman College in Tuscaloosa.

An award winning senior university professor, Jeffries has taught at several colleges and universities in the Southeast.

He was selected as a Kellog Leadership Fellow with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education in 2004-2005. The Kellog MSI Leadership Fellows Program is designed for the most senior level administrators to strengthen their leadership skills and to increase familiarity with issues confronting higher education.

Jeffries attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University, where critical leadership issues at colleges and universities are examined and learning effective approaches to balancing internal and external leadership roles is studied.

The community is invited to attend Jeffries’ presentation at Mt. Canaan.