Our Mission
Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church has been called to serve the community for GOD’s glory. We are committed to fulfilling GOD’s Kingdom mandate by, "Developing Dynamic Disciples through Discipleship, Discipline and Duplication.”
MEET OUR PASTORS
Bishop Larry Lawrence Brandon, DMin
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Pastor | Civic Leader | Educator | Author
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“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” ~ Psalm 37:23
This scripture powerfully reflects the life, legacy, and leadership of Bishop Larry Lawrence Brandon, a devoted servant of God,
builder of people, and transformative voice across spiritual, civic, and educational arenas.
A Legacy of Ministry & Vision
Bishop Brandon is the Founder of Praise Temple, one of the most vibrant and community-centered congregations in the
Shreveport–Bossier City region. For decades, he led with prophetic insight, organizational excellence, and deep compassion,
cultivating a ministry recognized for innovation, discipleship, and community engagement.
He served and retired as the Third Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, founded by his
pastor, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., and now led by Bishop J. Warren Walker. His influence also extended into worship and arts
as Chairman of Tehillah Music Group, along with numerous other initiatives that have impacted churches nationally and
internationally.
A gifted preacher, teacher, counselor, mentor, radio personality, and spiritual father, Bishop Brandon has shaped generations of
leaders. Through L.L. Brandon Ministries, Inc. and Brandon Group International, he provides strategic consulting to churches,
nonprofits, and small businesses, strengthening organizational health and expanding community impact.
A New Season at Evergreen
In 2022, Bishop Brandon was presented as the third pastor of the historic Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland,
California. Under his visionary and Spirit-led leadership, Evergreen has experienced renewed spiritual vitality, leadership
development, expanded outreach, and a strengthened commitment to prayer, discipleship, evangelism, and community
transformation.
Service Beyond the Sanctuary
A proud United States Air Force Veteran, Bishop Brandon’s dedication to service extends well beyond the pulpit. He is a Life
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a member of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, and formerly served as Chairman of
the Shreveport Regional Airport Authority Board, before stepping down to accept an appointment to the Louisiana State Ethics
Board, elected by the Louisiana House of Representatives.
In California, his civic leadership continues through key appointments and service:
• Former member, City of Oakland Community Policing Advisory Board
• Current member, Alameda County Mental Health Advisory Board
• Appointed by Mayor The Honorable Barbara Lee to serve on the City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission
His chaplaincy service includes:
• Louisiana State Police & Public Safety Services
• Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office
• Bossier Parish District Attorney’s Office
• Shreveport Fire Department
• Shreveport City Marshal’s Office
Bishop Brandon was honored to serve as Guest Chaplain for the United States House of Representatives, at the request of the
56th Speaker of the House, The Honorable James Michael Johnson, receiving the prestigious Honorary Guest Chaplain Pin. He
was also invited by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy to serve as Guest Chaplain for the United States Senate, affirming his national
spiritual and civic influence.
Community Builder & Organizational Leader
Larry Lawrence Brandon
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Biography
Bishop Brandon is a committed community architect whose leadership includes co-founding and serving on boards such as:
• Step Forward Children’s Education Initiative
• Adult Prisoner Reentry Initiative
• Rotary Club of Shreveport (Paul Harris Fellow, plus 7)
He currently serves as:
• Managing Partner, Brandon Group International LLC
• Facility Administrator & Center Director, L.L. Brandon III Transitional Home for Boys
• CEO & Executive Director, Northwest Louisiana Community Development Corporation
• President/CEO, Evergreen Terrace Housing Corporation
• President/CEO, Evergreen Annex, Inc.
• President/CEO, Evergreen Community Development Corporation
Additionally, he serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the College and Seminary Board of the National Baptist Convention of
America, Inc., contributing to theological education and leadership development on a national level.
Scholar, Educator & Chancellor
Bishop Brandon completed Episcopal Studies at the prestigious Joint College of African American Bishops in Vatican City,
Rome, Italy, and later completed the Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Program. He is a Certified Adverse Childhood
Experience (ACE) Educator and formerly served as Chancellor of the University Christian Preparatory School, overseeing Pre-
K3 through 12th grade education.
He currently serves as President and Chancellor of the Northern California Bible Institute, where he provides theological
formation, leadership training, and ministry development for emerging and established leaders.
He earned his Doctor of Ministry in Church Ministries and Leadership from Oral Roberts University.
Author & Thought Leader
A prolific and insightful author, Bishop Brandon’s works include:
• From Private Pain to Public Victory
• Treasures in the Darkness
• Holiness Is Still Right
• A Faith That Feels Like Lying
• The Success of Small Groups in the 21st Century Church
• You Complete Me (co-authored with First Lady Wanda L. Brandon)
Family, Faith & Guiding Principle
Bishop Brandon is a devoted husband, father, mentor, and spiritual guide. He is the proud father of five children—Queenesia,
Jasmine, Isaiah, Elijah, and the late Larry III. His lifelong prayer is that every person he encounters will be blessed, challenged,
inspired, and transformed.
His guiding motto remains simple yet powerful:
“We are better together.”
Lady Wanda Brandon’s
Biography
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Wanda Brandon was born in Panama City, Florida. She was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Progressive Village in Tampa, Florida. She was reared in San Antonio, Texas at the New Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church under Dr. D. H. Hall. She is a proud graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. There she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management. Most of her life she has worked in nonprofit organizations. Previously she has worked at Southwest Research Institute in the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analysis. She has served as Chief Operations Officer for Praise Temple Ministries and Program Manager/Grant Writer for the Northwest Louisiana Community Development Corporation, Grant Writer for the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center. She is currently serving as Grant Specialist at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in Oakland, California. She is a Certified Grant Writer and member of the American Grant Writer’s Association. She is also a member of the Grant Professionals Association. On several occasions, she serves as a grant reviewer for AmeriCorps, the U. S. Department of Education, and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.