Byron Fitchpatric is a Memphis, Tennesse native who was called to ministry. Fitchpatric is the Senior Pastor of Crosstown Church of Memphis. When he was 22-years-old, he relocated to Des Moines, Iowa after his family helped him extricate himself from a destructive life. Through a series of events, God got his attention and led him and his
wife to the ministry. For 20 years, he worked full-time in ministry at Cornerstone Family Church. In October of 2016, he and his family answered the call to move back to Memphis to establish a new church, Crosstown Church of Memphis. Fitchpatric who is a proud father shared what fatherhood has taught him.
What legacy are you leaving for your children and the children of your community?
Wisdom and knowledge are valuable things to leave as a legacy. The wisest thing we can do is get wisdom and the smartest thing we can do is gain knowledge. [My legacy] is to leave wisdom and knowledge to my children and others, hopefully, they won’t make the same mistakes I made.
Which fatherhood experiences have taught you the most about yourself?
Raising my son has taught me no matter how well I think I’ve done; I made a lot of mistakes. A child’s mind doesn’t perceive things like an adult, it is very important to have detailed conversations with children to make sure you understand them, and they understand you.
What insightful advice would you suggest about building a network?
Warren Buffet once said that building a strong network is not about what others can do for you, but what you can do for others. It’s also important to choose your network circle carefully. You will move in the direction of the people you network with.
Why should you read every day?
Reading stimulates our minds to think, imagine and dream. The more we think, imagine and dream, the less likely we are to become complacent and the more likely we are to achieve our goals and dreams.
Name one life lesson that no one taught you, but should have.
No one taught me how to be a man or a father. In order to be a good father, you must first be a good man. A good man loves God and loves people. A good man leads with love and loves to lead.
What advice would you give on being responsible for your own dreams?
Only share your dreams with people you can trust with your life. Those are the ones that will support and help you. If you can’t trust someone with your life, you can’t trust them with your dreams. Dreams need support or they’ll get cut short.
Share one of your fondest memories you’ve experienced with your father, grandfather or father figure.
My fondest memory with my father was watching him hold my granddaughter the first time he saw her. The smile on his face was priceless. He shared how he never knew his great-grandparents but is blessed that his great-granddaughter will know hers.
