How We Got Our Start
On March 24, 1992, Rev. Larry L. Brandon and six members met to organize the Praise Temple Missionary Baptist Church. The Church began, originally, with prayer service and bible study in the home of Dea. and Sis. Charles R. Williams, Sr. at 1504 Lampkin Street in Bossier City, Louisiana 71111. 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’ Apartment 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 a storefront at 2015 and 2016 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 Church 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 know 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 three satellite ministries in Ruston, Louisiana; Alexandria, Louisiana, and in the Allendale Community of Shreveport. The first bible study in Ruston was held November 24, 2003. The Alexandria location held its first bible study November 25, 2003 and the Allendale Community “House of Refuge” opened with a “Holiness in the Hood” worship service November 30, 2003.
Praise Temple currently has extensions in Louisiana which include Ruston, Monroe, Bossier, Lafayette. Praise Temple has been established in Stockton, California, Jamaica and Ghana. The mother church has more than one thousand active members including ten pastoring sons. The Temple is currently affiliated with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches of USA. 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 our founder, Bishop Larry L. Brandon, Jr. On June 16, 1995, he was installed as Louisiana’s first Northern District Overseer of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship by Bishop J. Douglas Wiley and State Overseer Eugene Harris. 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 19, 1999, during the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International 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 Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship’s Annual Pastors and Leaders Summit. Bishop Brandon became the first Bishop for the State of Louisiana. In addition, in May, 2001, he was appointed by Bishop J. Douglas Wiley as the 1st Assistant Regional Bishop. This elevation set a new standard of excellence in the Temple, this making us know as Praise Temple Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral (The seat of the Bishop). In July 2016 Bishop Brandon was appointed by Presiding Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III, as the Third Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, International.