Ike
Reighard

Dr. Dwight “Ike” Reighard’s purpose statement reflects his own life story: Helping people exchange ordinary living for an extraordinary life.

Born in Andrews, NC, in 1950, Ike experienced the difficulties of growing up in an unchurched family, being the “different” kid in school, and dealing with the touch issues of adolescence while growing up in inner-city Atlanta. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 22.

After Ike gave his life to Christ, he returned to college. The once-struggling student graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Mercer University. He has a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary, as well as honorary doctorates from other seminaries and universities.

Ike’s love for people and his devotion to Christ has culminated in dynamic growth for two metro Atlanta area churches. For eighteen years he pastored New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville. During his tenure, New Hope Baptist Church became the second fastest growing church in the Southern Baptist Convention and the fastest growing church of any denomination in the state of Georgia.* He now pastors NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, Georgia. As the model church for the North American Mission Board’s Mega Church Focus, NorthStar is the fastest growing church start in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention.

His unique approach to speaking engages and encourages his listeners through humor, energetic delivery and a humility of “having been there” himself. As a result, Ike has excelled as a speaker to a wide variety of audiences, including pastors, youth and management for companies such as Delta Air Lines, Inc., Chick-Fil-A, BellSouth Telecommunications and others. Ike wants those who listen to him to have a sense of affirmation; he wants people to believe in themselves the way God believes in them. Whether he speaks on goal-setting, dealing with death, or real discipleship in a self-focused culture, his teaching is rooted on Biblical truths and his personal conviction that no one can be complete without knowing and loving Jesus Christ.

Dr. Reighard is the author of Treasures From The Dark, the autobiographical account of the tragic death of his wife, Cindy, and their unborn child. The book includes an expanded workbook section to promote recovery and healing. Discovering Your North Star, his current release, is designed to help people accelerate their potential in their careers and personal lives. Ike has also written a companion book, The North Star Journal, a daily devotional, reflection, and application guide.

Ike and his wife, Robin, have two children, Abigail and Danielle. The family resides in Powder Springs, GA.


* Ministries Today, Nov/Dec 1987