Cory W. Ferguson is a native Daytonian and graduate of Colonel White High School for the Arts, class of 1995. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies and Worship Ministry from Cincinnati Christian University, where he also received the Excellence in Worship Leadership Award and scholarship from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. While in Cincinnati, Minister Ferguson was appointed Minister of Youth and Worship at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church. There, he founded Upward Bound Youth Ministries from which Created 2 Praise Ministries, a community performing arts program for children and youth, was born. 

Minister Ferguson holds a Master of Ministry degree from Cedarville University and is licensed to minister through Liberated in Christ Ministries, Inc. He has served as a musician, choir director, children’s pastor, and worship leader in numerous churches in the tri-state area, and has shared the stage with notable artists like Kirk Franklin and Mark Lowry.

Minister Ferguson has been an educator in the Dayton area for over 20 years and a member of the Ohio Music Education Association and National Association for Music Education. He taught in Dayton Public Schools, at the Dayton Academy, and currently serves as elementary principal at East Dayton Christian School. At EDCS, Minister Ferguson taught middle school reading and middle school/junior high Bible, founded and supervised the school’s Music and Worship Arts program, and currently facilitates the school’s spiritual life initiative. 

Minister Ferguson continues pursuing opportunities to learn and grow as an educator and administrator. As an educational leader, he endeavors to ensure all students feel safe and loved, parents feel empowered and heard, and educators are supported and encouraged. He also specializes in cross-curricular instruction, Social-Emotional Learning, biblical integration, family engagement, and classroom management.

Most recently, Minister Ferguson has been called to launch Community Christian Learning Center, an independent microschool, where he will continue preparing the next generation of Kingdom builders: heart, soul, mind, and strength. In his spare time, Minister Ferguson enjoys biking, roller blading, hiking, working in the yard, cooking/baking, and watching old sitcoms. When asked how he would best describe his life’s purpose, he quickly refers to Psalm 71:18, echoing the same sentiment as the psalmist, stating, “Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”