The Most Reverend

Sterling Lands, II
Presiding Bishop of Family Life International Fellowship
ChurchFamily Life International Fellowship
SeeGreater Calvary Bible Church
Orders
Consecrationby Russell McClanahan
Personal details
Born
Sterling Lands, II

(1944-11-11)November 11, 1944
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
ResidenceAustin, Texas, U.S.
Children2
OccupationPastor, author, community activist, entrepreneur

Sterling Lands II (born November 11, 1944) is an African-American minister and senior pastor of Greater Calvary Bible Church,[1] formerly Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Lands is also the founder and first presiding bishop for Family Life International Fellowship,[2][3] a civil rights and community activist, and author.[4][5]

Biography

Lands was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a graduate of the Southern University School of Engineering, with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.[2]

Moving and living in University City, Missouri, Lands was president of the St. Louis chapter of the Center for Non-violent Social Change.[6] He was coordinator and president of the Association for the Nonviolent Social Change in America (ANSCA) from 1980-1984.[7][8][9][10]

Lands pastored the Second Baptist Church, Frankford, Missouri, which merged with the 117-year-old Maryland Street Baptist Church, Louisiana, Missouri in 1981-1984. Lands founded the Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Austin, Texas September 1984, and the Family Life Bible Church in Desoto, Texas in December 2005.[11]

Lands moved to Austin, Texas in the fall of 1984. Lands continued his movement for justice, quality education and equity for African-Americans. Lands founded the Eastside Social Action Coalition in 2000. The coalition was listed in the Progressive and Activist Organization in Austin, Texas.[12][13][5][14]

In a historic ruling, Lands and his church was awarded temporary parenting responsibilities for two children.[15]

Lands served as chair of the Community Action Task Force, a subcommittee of the Baptist Ministers' Union 2000-2006. Lands led non-violent marches[16] in protests of racial discrimination and for equal rights and equitable protection to African-Americans residing in Austin, Texas.

Lands, a former member of the citizens panel for the police monitor's office accused the Austin Police Department of racial discrimination and shootings by the department of unarmed people of color criminal. Lands coordinated a forum for community leaders and the Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo to discuss race relations.[17][18]

In 2022, Lands as a bishop within the Evangelical Episcopal Communion joined the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches (a Christian denomination in the Convergence Movement) through one of its provinces; while in the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches, they continued affiliation with the Evangelical Episcopal Communion.[19][20]

Youth advocacy

Lands is the founder of Greater Calvary Rites of Passage,[21] a 501c3 non-profit organization that aims to improve the transition of black youth to adulthood through character education and development. Youth remain in the program for thirteen years.[22][23] Notable graduates include jazz artist Dana Clark,[24] and gospel songwriter, Monae Miller.[25]

Music

Lands is a "protege" of Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee Reverend Cleophus Robinson.[26] Lands is the founder and lead musician of the Warrior Gospel Band.[27]

Community development

Lands is the founder and CEO of Rites of Passage Development, a company that specializes in affordable housing.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Greater Calvary Bible Church International". www.greatercalvary.org. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  2. 1 2 "Presiding Bishop". Family Life International Fellowship. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  3. ↑ "New Austin Bishop Suffers Heart Attack". Myfoxaustin.com. 2010-11-11. Archived from the original on 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  4. ↑ "Archbishop Sterling Lands II: Uniting with Pastors Across Texas to Bring Change". MissionBox. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  5. 1 2 Smith, Jordan (January 12, 2001). "Sterling Lands' New Mission". Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  6. ↑ St. Louis Argus;"Minority Postal Union Celebrates 70th Anniversary", October 6, 1983 Issue, Malaika Horne
  7. ↑ Group Analyzes 'Non-Violence' As Civil Rights Tool, Veronica L. Banks
  8. ↑ Globe Democratic. "Activist may leave one of his posts", Leslie J. Allen, September 26, 1983
  9. ↑ Local Non-Profit Groups Oppose Federal Rule Change, Johnson Y. Lancaster
  10. ↑ St.Louis American; "Black St. Louisans Divided Over U.S. Roles In Beirut, Grenada, October 27, 1983-Vol. 55 Number 32, Judy Howard
  11. ↑ "Church History". Greater Calvary Bible Church International. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ↑ "Naked City: The Power of Separation". Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25.
  13. ↑ Cuban, Larry (2010-02-25). As Good As It Gets: What School Reform Brought to Austin. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-03554-6.
  14. ↑ "After Mosley Murder, Tough Questions About AISD Campus Violence". Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25.
  15. ↑ "Grandma loses out as judge takes chance on pastor's parenting 02/26/1993". Chron.com. 1993-02-26. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  16. ↑ "African American News&Issues". Archived from the original on 2006-11-05. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  17. ↑ "APD Chief, community leaders talk race relations in Austin - YNN - Your News Now". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  18. ↑ Brulliard, Karin (May 23, 2004). "Police shootings study leads to racism accusations". Chron.com. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25.
  19. ↑ "Leadership". Evangelical Episcopal Communion. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  20. ↑ "Clergy Directory". The African Episcopal Church. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  21. ↑ American Statesmen;"Rites of Passage", October 26, 1992, Chuck Lindell
  22. ↑ "Rites of Passage". Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  23. ↑ "Church celebrates high school seniors' 'Rites of Passage' - YNN - Your News Now". Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
  24. ↑ "Women in Jazz: The Performers: Dana Clark". Archived from the original on 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  25. ↑ "Monae Miller | Music". Archived from the original on 2012-04-21. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  26. ↑ Ankeny, Jason (1932-03-18). "Rev. Cleophus Robinson". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  27. ↑ "Show Details 'The Warrior Gospel Band'". Festivalplace.ab.ca. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  28. ↑ "The Final Curtain - News". Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2012-02-01.

Sources

  • Lowes, Robert. "Largely white U. City PTO re-elects black president". Globe-Democrat.
  • (April 1, 1981). "Special School District Candidates", St. Louis Star.
  • (April 2, 1981). "District 6". St Louis Globe-Democrat.
  • (April 5, 1991). "21 Candidates for 4 Seats in Special District". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • (August 25, 1983) "King's Dream Lives on, Son Says". Globe-Democrat.
  • Vogel-Franzi, Jeane. (June 15, 1983). "U City Parents Threaten To Shut Down Schools". Clayton Citizen Journal.
  • (September 22, 1983). "Lands Recognized at Testimonial Dinner". The St. Louis Sentinel.
  • Rivers, Reggie. "Minister's talk to kick of King Week Activities". Austin American Statesman.
  • Dayna, Finet. (July 1999). "By The Content of their Character-Sterling Lands (Gospel of Faith and Justice). The Good Life Magazine.
  • Lindell, Chuck (February 5, 1995). "Man of His Word". Austin American Statesman.
  • Lindell, Chuck (October 26, 1992). "Rites of Passage (Church using rituals to teach youths)". Austin American Statesman.
  • Lindell, Chuck. "Midnight Mission". Austin American Statesman.
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