Phillip Finley grew up in Pratt, Kansas. He is the third son born to Travis and Johnnie Finley (deceased). Dr. Finley enjoys reading during his spare time and writing as often as he can about his life growing up in Kansas and Oklahoma. Throughout life, he has been surrounded by a host of friends and family and loves to speak on the impact of those relationships as often as he can.

     The stories that Dr. Finley has written are clear illustrations of his conviction to Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. Dr. Finley periodically teaches at the Atlanta Mission, and is a men’s small group leader at Buckhead Church, under the ministry of Andy Stanley.
     Dr. Finley is the proud father of Lauren Ashley Finley, a student at Valdosta State College, Valdosta, Georgia.

     In 1996, Dr. Finley took up running to stay in shape and since then he has been blessed to have run over 14 marathons, 2 Boston’s, numerous road races, and 2 Ragnar Relays (200-mile relay races with a team of 6 runners). Running is a passion that he enjoys because it provides the perfect outlet for listening and speaking to God while moving along the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. The challenge and inspiration Dr. Finley finds in running has enabled him to be a successful writer.

     Dr. Finley has also been blessed to have lived and traveled to numerous African and European nations. Three of the highlights were seeing the Great Pyramids in Cairo Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, and the great city of Istanbul, Turkey.

     During his teenage years, Dr. Finley and his family relocated to Duncan, Oklahoma, where he excelled in high school basketball and baseball. Dr. Finley went on to receive his B.A. in Sociology in 1989 from Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Finley then obtained his Masters in Public Health from Emory University in 2004, and a Doctorate in Health Science from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2007.

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• Why All of God's Children Eat Cereal (Finley Publishing, 2014)
  
• TheDream: Reflections on the African-American Experience, fromKansas to Africa (Finley Publishing, 2013)
  
• Confirmation From My Father (Finley Publishing, 2012)
  
• Rebounding For Christ (Finley Publishing, 2011)
  
• Growing Up Pratt (Finley Publishing, 2011)
  
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   I owe my character, love of God, and love of life to growing up in Pratt, Kansas. The environmental area encompasses 7.5 square miles. The current population of Pratt is round 7,500 but I am certain in the mid 60s to early 70s the population hovered around 5,000. Despite it's large size, it is difficult to fathom what beautiful peopole and experiences I encountered as a Pratt kid. There were the lovely snowfalls during the winter, my short walk from 720 S. Hamilton to Southwest Elementary School, the long awaited 4th of July fair, and the taste of sweet watermelons picked fresh from the Buckner's farm south of town. Halloween was not bad either. My family and friends would walk for several blocks or go to homes at the request of my parents, but the very last stop or sometimes the very first was always the popcorn balls up at Annabelle Bright. Here we would show up cold, tired, and awaiting a fresh hot popcorn ball.

      We wore sneakers as often as possible and my mom would go barefoot throughout the summers. I do not understand why, and I do not recall flip-flops even being in existence as if they were, I never saw her wear them. As far as Annabelle's popcorn balls, my folks entertained a sense of frugality when it came to consuming one of those softball shaped, sugary morsels freshly made up the block. What I mean to say is that we would only get a bite or two per day. This treat would sometimes last several weeks maybe even into the Thanksgiving Holiday. Everyone in town, black or white, know about the popcorn balls and often times you would find complete strangers showing up to get thiers.
---from Growing Up Pratt

      I have been truly blessed to have been chosen by God to be a part of a Christian men's group through Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia. This small group environment has been blessing and a catalyst in sustaining my faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. During this season in my life, the men that have helped facilitate my spiritual development are Mark Shull, Director Men's Groups, Buckhead Church; Curtis Wooten, Darrell Whatley, Keith Palmer, LArry Bobo, Matt Sherman, Michael Milligan, Richard Smith, and Todd McClellan.

      Mark is a man of God whom I had the courage to sit down with one cool breezy evening at Caribou Coffee on Peachtree Road, to meet and discuss my commitment and the church's approval to lead a men's group. I don't know for sure, but I would assume that Mark was thinking, "Does Phillip know about Christ? Does he love God? Does he fear God? Can he speak the truth to a group of men who may or may not want to listen?" Midway through our talk, Mark stated that "the goal of this ministry is to bring men into a closer realtionship with Jesus Christ."

           The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
           wisdom and knowledge of the holy is
           understanding. (KJV: Proverbs 9:10)
---from Confirmation From My Father

• Dr. Finley's Website
• Dr. Phillip Finley's Blog
• Dr. Finley "Order" on YouTube

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