Our Faculty

Dr. Bettye W. Knighton, a native Floridian, was born in Deerfield Beach in Broward County. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Riviera Beach and later received the Associate of Arts degree from Palm Beach Community College. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University with a major in Management Science and Systems and a minor in Computer Systems. She was a student in the pilot program of Urban Church Ministry offered at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She received a Master’s degree in Religious Education and a Doctor of Theology from Evangelical Bible College and Seminary.

Dr. Knighton retired from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft where she was a Senior Systems Analyst/Programmer. She left corporate America to satisfy her entrepreneurial spirit and started a building maintenance firm that competed for, and won, contracts in the public and private sector throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

Dr. Knighton served for four years as the Director of Workshops for the Women’s Department of the Ministers and Deacon Union, Northern Division which serves the area from Pompano to Cocoa Beach. She also served the Florida East Coast Baptist Association (FECBA) as the Editor for The Voice Newspaper that was distributed among 110 churches from Homestead to Cocoa Beach. She is also on the ministerial staff at Pleasant Heights Missionary Baptist Church and serves as the Director of Christian Education. 

With over 35 years experience, Dr. Knighton shares her knowledge as a minister, business executive, author, publisher, and entrepreneur through motivational speaking, keynote addresses, and team building sessions.  

Dr. Bettye is the CEO/Founder of Emerge Publishing Group LLC and has helped many authors publish their first book. She is the author of three books and six Christian Education Handbooks.

She is the wife of Deacon Otis Knighton, Jr. and the mother of five. Dr. Knighton has eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  

 Dr. David Donnally was ordained in 1977. He married Dr. Tami Donnally (the love of his life) in 1978 and they have been partners in ministry ever since. He holds three doctorate degrees including a Ph.D. in education. He has authored a book entitled “From The Pond to the Palace” and is working on a second book, “Life in the Palace.”  He is President of the Evangelical Bible College and Seminary, Senior Pastor of Legacy Church and the founder of   Interdenominational Ministers Association, House of Bread and Compassionate Heart Counseling Center.  Dr. Dave and Tami Donnally have been part of Legacy Church Ministries since 1980 when they helped Drs. Chad and Mariam Donnally start Greenacres Christian Academy. Dr. Donnally has been instrumental in helping launch others into ministry all over the world as Pastors, Teachers, Missionaries, Evangelist, Chaplains, & Counselors. He has traveled to other countries  (Nigeria, Trinidad, Israel) bringing words of truth and hope.  He has a strong passion for missions and the desire to see people saved and equipped to serve and become ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.  Dr. Donnally also serves on many boards, and is currently on the boards of the  Global Embassy network,  Community Life, and the Florida Council of Private Schools. He brings the Word with a wonderful sense of humor and knowledge of the Bible. Under the anointing & inspiration of the Holy Spirit and years of experience, he has helped many people learn how to Love, Laugh, Let go & Let God! 

 Dr. Jeremiah Ramberg is a graduate of both Greenacres Christian Academy and the Evangelical Bible College and Seminary. He holds a Doctorate in both Religious Education and Ministry.  Dr. Ramberg has been with Legacy Church Ministries for over 20 years. Over the years, he has served many roles at Greenacres Christian Academy. At Legacy Church, he is currently the Worship Leader, Youth Director and Associate Pastor. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Judi, and they have one son, Gabriel. Dr. Ramberg is a wonderful help to our ministry and Legacy is blessed to have such a great man of God.  

  Dr. Ralph Leslie comes to us as a highly qualified professor holding three PhDs. In Religious Education Theology and  Biblical Counseling. His straightforward approach is refreshing and has earned his students respect. In addition to all of his Christian studies. Dr. Ralph Leslie completed a 20-year military career in the United States Air Force. He later worked in corrections at Palm Beach County sheriff's office & by 1992 was a duly certified correction and law-enforcement officer. After retiring from the sheriff's department Dr. Ralph worked as a private investigator and criminal defense investigator. His many years of experience in real-life circumstances merged with his wealth of knowledge make him a real asset to this institution. We are pleased to have him as our co-laborer for God's Kingdom. 

 Dr. Jim Collins is the pastor of  Victory In Christ International and is also the founder of Beyond Positive Thinking Ministries.  He has authored two books: “Beyond Positive Thinking: Success and Motivation in the Scriptures” and “The Secret to Abundant Living”.  Dr. Collins is available to present at motivational seminars for churches, businesses, associations, and civic organizations.   His "positive" approach to teaching makes him an excellent addition to our faculty.

Dr. Rick attended Central Bible College in Springfield Missouri for two years and finished his basic education through  College Home Studies. Rick and his wife Liz went on into ministry. They have three grown children, Ricky, Jonathan, and Victoria, along with 4 wonderful grandkids.

Dr. Rick Kendall travels extensively in a speaking itinerary and has a passion for mentoring emerging as well as seasoned leaders. Rick is the Lead Apostle and President of The Global Embassy  Network birthed in 1998 to interconnect ministers and ministries together as a Network of fitly framed connected parts in South East Florida, as well as global members in 5 Countries.