Pastors Marcus & LaTerra share a similar love journey in their faith, although their beginnings did not share the same start.  Now if you ever met P. LaTerra, this next statement would not surprise you…"here is a woman who was born on the pew of the church,” as some would say, and between her natural home, Ms. Anita Williams, and her spiritual home, Church of Faith, in Philadelphia, she was constantly groomed for the ministry.  Although settling her final altar call to Christendom at ten years old, she spent most of her days, weeks, and childhood in church, five to six days a week! Having a grandfather who planted the Church of Faith, little did she know that he was planting a heritage of faith and ministry in her as she would eventually carry the torch of church planting herself. 

Having a spiritual IQ and an intellectual IQ goes hand in hand for Pastor and Prophetess LaTerra.

 Having a spiritual IQ and an intellectual IQ goes hand in hand for Pastor and Prophetess LaTerra.  After graduating 9^th in her high school class, she would attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for undergraduate work and earning a degree in nursing.  During her time at IUP, Bishop Melvin Jenkins, Victory Christian Assembly, Indiana PA, would further brighten the torch, as he gave her ministerial opportunities and helped her to “keep her burning while getting her learning.” Recognizing that there was more equipping for ministry, LaTerra would pursue a Master of Divinity at Oral Roberts University seminary.  Little did know that she would eventually receive her, “Mrs. Ruffin” license as well (as her husband says) as she met her husband to be at ORU too. LaTerra would take her next ministerial assignment in Palm Springs, CA and serve as associate pastor at Victory Christian Center (VCC), Rancho Mirage, CA. Due to intelligence in academia as well, she would eventually serve also as Principal of Victory Christian Academy.  During this time, she would marry her husband, Marcus Ruffin, and give birth to God ordained twins, King and Queen.  After serving ten years at VCC, she knew the torch needed to be carried to Moreno Valley, CA, where she would plant Life Empowerment Church in June 2008. 

We are just at the tip of the iceberg for what God is doing in our marriage and what he has planned for our congregation. We're moving from toiling to reaping...RIPE reaping!