Grant AME Church

Reverend Leslie Raphael White was born in the City of Roses, Portland, Oregon in 1955. He is the third child born to the union of Charles and Perlene White. He has two elder brothers, Manfred and Cedric; one elder sister, Laura; and one younger sister, Irene. Reverend White's mother and father passed away in January 1991 and January 1994, respectively.

He is married to a wonderful young lady by the name of Yolanda Renee. Yolanda completed West Georgia in 1979 and received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas in 1984. Their union has been blessed with two sons: Christopher Raphael and Jason Rashad.

Reverend White accepted the call to preach in the summer of 1969. He was licensed to preach in Bethel A.M.E. Church, Portland, Oregon, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend A. Lee Henderson. At the age of seventeen, he pastored his first church, Bailey A.M.E., Everett, Washington. In 1980, he received a Master's of Divinity from Turner Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

Pastor White's pastoral journey has been filled with an abundance of blessings. He was assigned to Grant A.M.E. Church in December 1994. Under his visionary administration, Grant continues to grow and serve:

  Periodic events have been established focusing on spiritual development, stewardship and evangelism.

  The Scholarship fund continues to assist both youth and adults in furthering education (nearly $180,000 distributed over six years).

  The After-School Community Training Service (ACTS) receives grants and member donations for continued service to the community.

  Pastor White established the Grant A.M.E. Food Ministry, serving hot meals each Thursday.

  Several parcels of land have been purchased for near future housing and commercial development.

  Pastor White initiated the Watts Multi-Denominational Thanksgiving Day Celebration and Watch Night Services.

The Grant Music Ministry has diversified to reach the masses.

Pastor White has led the Grant Family to great works in God's vineyard. He has inspired even stronger teaching in stewardship, tithing, and spiritual well-being. The focus of bible study, prayer meetings, and evangelism studies are "To Seek-To Save-To Serve". He continues to encourage full, open worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We thank the Lord that we have a Pastor with a vision that touches all aspects of our church life and equips us to become more contagious in our Christianity. We thank the Lord for a First Lady, who walks in the love and strength of the Lord as she serves in His vineyard.

E-mail Pastor Leslie White