Historical Background
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Historical Background:
On March 24,1992, Rev. Larry L. Brandon, Jr. and six members met to organize the Praise Temple Missionary Baptist Church. The church began, originally, with prayer services and bible study in home of Deacon and Sister Charles Williams, Sr. at 1504 Lampkin Street in Bossier City Louisiana. In this modest beginning, the church committed to the great commission of our Lord to evangelize and win the lost at all costs.
In April of 1992, the church was incorporated as a non-profit organization. On Sunday, April 19, 1992, the church held its first worship service at 3146 Midway Avenue, in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the Midway Christian Church. The membership immediately grew from seven to thirty members. The church remained at this location until September 1992. In September the church moved to the Villa Norte' Apartments Complex's Leasing Office/Recreation Room. During the second year of existence, Praise Temple became known as the "Church where the doors swing on the hinges of love. The Temple also coined the phrase " Spiritual Hospital" and " House of Refuge" due to the heightened care and concern for God's people. In September of 1993, Praise Temple's growth accelerated beyond the capacity of this building. In October, 1993, the church moved to 2015 and 2017 Nelson Street. Once again growth accelerated tremendously to approximately two hundred members. On Easter Sunday, 1996, Praise Temple formed a motorcade and entered our current location at 4820 Greenwood Road, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Praise Temple's dedication to Bishop Paul S. Morton and the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship was so vast that in May 1997, the name of the church was officially changed to Praise Temple Full Gospel Baptist Church. On Easter Sunday, 1997, Praise Temple expanded their current ministry and branched into Bossier City, Louisiana making them known as "One Church in Two Cities." The Bossier Temple, was officially named Temple of Praise on January 1,2000, and Elder Mildred Williams was installed as Pastor. The Lord has certainly placed an Apostolic anointing on the life of Bishop Brandon. In view of this, in August 2000 Praise Temple made plans to expand again to Dallas, Texas. The first official service in Dallas was held December 24, 2000, and every Sunday thereafter. Praise Temple is currently organizing the Refuge Temple Full Gospel Baptist Church in Greenwood, Mississippi.
Praise Temple currently has more than nine hundred members on record including ten Pastoring sons. The Temple is currently associated with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. The ministry is affiliated with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Thirteenth District Association. Praise Temple was also affiliated with the Unity Celebration Fellowship of Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana and in June-July, 2000 the Temple participated with Good News Shreveport/Bossier.
The hand of the Lord has certainly been upon Pastor Brandon. On June 16, 1995 Bishop J.D. Wiley and State Overseer Eugene Harris installed him as Louisiana's first Northern District Overseer of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. In January of 1997, he was elevated to State Overseer of the State of Louisiana of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Finally, on July 16,1999, during the International Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Conference, he was elevated to Bishop-Elect for the State of Louisiana. His official consecration was held November 12, 1999, in Little Rock, Arkansas,
during the Annual Pastors and Leaders Summit. Bishop Brandon is the first Bishop for the State of Louisiana. This elevation set a new standard of excellence in the Temple, thus making us known as Praise Temple Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral (the seat of the Bishop).
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