Rivers Of Life Christian Ministries

Pastor Lance Alexander

Pastor Lance Alexander was born in Port Arthur Texas. He is the husband of Vernell Alexander. He is a loving father and grandfather. His parents are Lloyd and Betty Jean Alexander. He has the heart of a true servant and walks in the fear of the Lord. He is a man of great wisdom, respect, honor, integrity, and love for God. The favor of God is upon his life and the ministry that God has called him to.

In earlier years when Pastor Alexander graduated from college, he knew that very day that God had a call upon his life to be active in ministry. Even though his family did not have funds to send him to college, he believed God to bring him through school and God did just that. He received an Associates Degree of Divinity from Heart of America Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Technology Science from Prairie View University in Texas. For the past 25 years, he has worked in management for two Fortune 500 companies; Proctor and Gamble and General Motors Corporation.

With over 25 years in ministry, Pastor Alexander has served God’s people in Texas, New York, Missouri, Michigan, Kansas, and currently in Louisiana. He is an experienced instructor, teacher, effective facilitator, counselor, organizer, and Minister of the Gospel. As an anointed professional drummer, his talent has blessed many through praise and worship. For over 20 years, Pastor Alexander effectively and faithfully committed his life to support and assist other Pastors and evangelists in ministry. He accepted his call to Minister and later received his license to preach under the leadership of E. C. Morton of Deeper Life Christian Ministries, Kansas City, Missouri, where he served approximately 10 years. During his service there, he served as deacon, associate Minister, financial advisor, trustee, Sunday school teacher, and pantry coordinator for annual outreach programs. Pastor Alexander served as an associate Minister and special remodeling project coordinator at Gethsemane COGIC under Elder Zack Smith in Flint Michigan. He also faithfully served under Rev. Gray at Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas for over 6 years as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Minister, soul winning and outreach minister.

In January 2003 after God directed him to move to Shreveport Louisiana, a ministry was born, “Rivers of Life Christian Ministries” based on the Word of God in Ezekiel 47:9. He began ministering out of his home until the Lord led him to meet at the La Quinta Inn, on Financial Plaza. In June 2004, God lead him to purchase a building for the ministry. With fervent prayers and supplications for all, Pastor Alexander continues to reach souls that can come into fellowship and enjoy living by the Kingdom principles that God intended for his people to live by.

Vernell Alexander

Vernell Alexander is a passionate Christian soloist and anointed worship leader. She is a woman of integrity and is known for her God given vocal talent. She has served as a committed and faithful Minister of Music for many years.

Vernell is the devoted wife of Lance Alexander, Pastor and founder of Rivers of Life Church International, Shreveport, Louisiana under the spiritual covering of Drs. Rick & Barbara Layton of Word of Faith Church International. She is the youngest of 11 siblings; they have five children and eight grandchildren. She is a graduate of Career Point Business College in Kansas City, Missouri where she majored in Business Administration & Secretarial Science. Vernell has been devoted to helping her husband in Ministry since they moved to Shreveport in 2002. She serves graciously as Minister of Music, Worship Leader, Business Administrator, and Associate Bible Teacher.

Vernell’s music teacher and mentor was her mother, Golden McMillon, also a committed Minister of Music. Vernell has traveled to various cities throughout the United States proclaiming the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ through song. She has released two CD’s, the first entitled, “Rivers of Life” and the second entitled “The Lord Reigns”. Both recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. Because of this, an open door was set before her to minister at the final event of the Houston Astrodome in 2005.

Vernell’s greatest desire and goal is to continue to impact the Kingdom of God by bringing in those who need to know that Jesus Christ Loves them! Weather at a nursing home, church ministry, in front of 2 or 2,000, Vernell is committed to sharing the Gospel of deliverance with men, women, and children so that they will know that their lives can be changed forever by hearing and living by the anointed Word of God.

Pastor Lance Alexander answered the call to Pastoring in July 2001 while living in Kansas City, Missouri. Rivers of Life Christian Ministries was born based on the inspired Word of God. God gave Pastor Alexander the vision to begin this ministry in order to reach souls and minister to the needs of children and families in the community by preaching and teaching the word of God. Pastor Alexander and his wife, Vernell Alexander, were the first two members of the church. They continued in the word in their home until God inspired Pastor Alexander to move “South” to Shreveport Louisiana in June 2002.

The Lord led Pastor Alexander and his wife to look for a larger facility to accommodate the ministry. While searching the Shreveport area, the Holy Ghost led him to exit off of I-20 and go into the LaQuinta Inn and Suites and said that he would find a room there. We had our first meeting at the LaQuinta Inn, at 6700 Financial Circle in Shreveport Louisiana in January of 2003. On that day, we had rain, sleet, and a little snow but it did not hinder us from meeting. Four members were added to the church that day. By the end of the year, we grew in number to 26 souls.

We were thankful for the La Quinta Inn where we were able to gather and proclaim the gospel. We saw lives changed. We had the opportunity to minister healing and restoration to many travelers who stayed at the La Quinta Inn. Some were from Pennsylvania, Texas, New Jersey, Missouri, West Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, and California. Pastor Alexander was led to move on from the Inn. It was his desire and vision to purchase our very own church building that would accommodate our growth, would not limit us to time and space constraints, and we could freely minister the Word of God.

Pastor Alexander came very close to purchasing two different buildings. Each time the Holy Ghost said “not this one, I will lead you to the right one”. So he waited. In May 2004, by the leading of the Holy Ghost, Pastor Alexander found a building located at 2516 McCutchen in Shreveport Louisiana. Within 21 days, we signed the contract and closed on the purchase of the building. After 2 months of working on the building, our first service was held on August 1, 2004. We give Glory to God for his presence dwells there. We are grateful for the Anointing, and for the vision God has given to establish Rivers of Life Christian Ministries to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the community, to this city, and to the world.