FAMILY PHOTO FROM LEFT—BRADLEY FLOOD (GRANDFATHER), PAYTRA FLOOD (YOUNGER SISTER), JIAHNA FLOOD-FRANCIS (OLDER SISTER) PASTOR LAPHON T. FLOOD-FRANCIS,TYRRIBEA FLOOD (MOTHER), AND REV. ALICE FLOOD (GRANDMOTHER). (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)
by Karen Harris Brooks
For New Pittsburgh Courier
His words bring forth praises for his God in a way that emits the trust of David, the faith of Job, and the wisdom of Solomon. Stepping onto the sacred pulpit of the Second Baptist Church of Homestead, 27-year-old Reverend Laphon T. Flood-Francis brings forth a message of joy and passion as he touches hearts and souls throughout the Sunday morning service at the 119-year-old church.
Absent without a Senior Pastor since the retirement of the late Reverend Donald P. Turner in 2019, the power of his preaching word and the dedication of this enthusiastic man of God propelled him to the leadership position of Pastor-Elect at the Homestead church on the hill.
Whether one seeks the study of God, a touch of comfort or a place of reflective solace, the gifted theologian delivers electrifying, thought-provoking sermons to those in attendance.
While other 5-year-olds had dreams of being Spider-Man, Flood-Francis had dreams of becoming a preacher. At that tender age, he began his steps on a path that led him to the foundation on which he stands today. His desire to become a minister was fueled by the excitement he experienced whenever he attended worship services or made visits to senior facilities with his grandmother, Reverend Alice Flood.
“Before he could legibly utter words,” she stated with pride, “Laphon was trying to preach the word of God.”
REV. LAPHON T. FLOOD-FRANCIS’ PASTORAL INSTALLATION, SATURDAY, NOV. 9, 2024.
Admitting he “developed a passion to serve,” he was leading a youth ministry at the age of 13. Throughout his high school years, he continued to encourage his peers as he delivered powerful lessons at youth events. At the age of 18, the teen received his license to preach at the Morningstar Baptist Church of Clairton, Pa. He describes his passage as a “unique experience while knowing that I was being used by God, regardless of my age.”
With humility, he continues, “Ministry became an instrumental part of my life,” as he remembered the experiences that carried him throughout Pittsburgh’s faith community.
Graduating with honors from West Mifflin Area High School, he left his hometown to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta with a plan to major in Pre-Law. However, his focus turned to Black faith, social justice, and gospel, thereby graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy. Possessing a leadership style that was uniquely his own, the young civil rights activist achieved a myriad of awards, including the 2019-2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar and the 2022 George Sweazy Award for Excellence in Homiletics.
With a soul reminiscent of accomplished civil rights leaders, Flood-Francis followed a path that led him to Princeton Theological Seminary. Initiating change and declaring the need for diversity, his leadership at the prestigious institution forged dynamic inroads. While achieving his Master of Divinity degree, he also served as Chaplain of the Association of Black Seminarians.
Commissioned an ordained minister of the Gospel on July 4, 2021, Rev. Flood-Francis owns a dossier that lists his ecclesiastical service as a Pastoral Intern at the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta. His service continued to grow as he mentored college students and young adults at the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Elgin, South Carolina. Appointed the Associate Pastor of Missions, Evangelism and Social Justice at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J., his spiritual leadership continued to inspire the Christian community.
The young man with the old soul is currently generating change at the corner of West 12th and Turner’s Place in Homestead, Pa. His plans include “building up a church that maintains traditional values yet aspires to do it in a new way.”
He also declares the need to be active in the community. “Black churches should have a mandate to advocate for our people.”
Armed with his garment of righteousness and his sword of truth, along with “a vision and strategic planning,” it does appear that the church on the hill is rising to meet God’s call.
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