About the Pastors

Earl and Linda are both natives of Memphis, Tennessee. They have been together for over thirty-seven years. They were introduced to each other over the phone by Linda’s cousin (who was also Earl’s schoolmate). Linda fell in love with Earl’s captivating voice which she believes he still has today. Their phone relationship lasted for a year before they met in person. They have a number of complimentary experiences/traits. Earl is from the country (suburbs) Linda is from the city (urban). Earl is a great listener, Linda is a talker. Earl is spontaneous, Linda likes things planned out. Earl loves to listen to music; Linda is a musician (singer, songwriter, etc.) While they’re both outgoing, Earl is a people person from his heart; while Linda is outgoing, but more project oriented. Because of their love for God, their children, and helping the hopeless and hurting makes for a great working relationship.

Earl is the oldest of twelve, and the oldest grandchild. Earl is an eternal optimist. He forever tells people “the difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer.” Linda is the oldest and has two brothers. She is a fighter because she was the first to live after her mother had three miscarriages. Earl is considered by many, on five continents, to be a master motivator and encourager. Linda is a perceiver, a true worshipper and carries both an anointing and passion to help women, particularly in hurting relationships.

As Founders of Freely Forgiven Community Church and Giving People Hope International Ministries they have learned through many adversities, afflictions, and struggles that what God values more than productivity or anything else is consistency and maintaining a fourfold alignment: alignment with God, alignment with self, alignment in relationships, and alignment in geography. Earl and Linda have entered into their designed destiny. A dynamic couple with a mandate to restore the fatherless and transform communities, cities and nations through the integration of three areas of coach-based training: destiny/purpose, family/marriage, and leadership. Coaching with mentoring is the hallmark of their ministry to develop individuals, families, and organizations. Their foundational philosophy is that

All people are the way they are because of why they are; they are PERFECT FOR THEIR PURPOSE;
All people are pregnant with promise and purpose;
All people’s pain is pregnant with potential and purpose; and
When you treat people as though they have hidden passion and purpose they will live up to the level of their true ability and designed destiny.

“Treat people as they are and you make them worse. Treat them as they ought to be and you will help them to become what they are capable of becoming.” -Goethe

Letitia graduated as Salutatorian from Bethel High School (Bethel, Connecticut) in 1980. She then entered the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland . In 1984, Letitia graduated from the Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree (major in English) and a commission as an ensign in the United States Navy.
She spent seven years on active duty, serving in a variety of leadership assignments at Naval Ocean Systems Center (San Diego, California); Naval Station Port Operations (Norfolk, Virginia); and Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center Atlantic (Norfolk, Virginia). She was honorably discharged from active service in 1991 as a Lieutenant. The most memorable times during her military career were training the freshman class and serving as Company Commander during her senior year at the Naval Academy, as well as her tour as the Ship's Berthing Officer at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia where she coordinated comprehensive logistic and pier side support for all ship moves for the Navy's largest Port Operations Department.
Since her retirement she has served as Assistant Director and Director of several early childhood learning centers, Manager for the Family Shelter of the Union Mission in Norfolk, Virginia; Chief Administrator of Holy Temple Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, and Assistant Administrator of Finance for the Virginia District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America.
Letitia was ordained an Elder by the United Holy Church of America in 2002 and is a certified Life forming Leadership Coach. She is the founder of IHS, Leadership Consulting and is the Training Director for Women in Shared Ministry. Letitia currently serves as the Executive Pastor of Freely Forgiven Community Church and Executive Director of HOPE Coaching & Relationship Institute (Lakeland, Florida).
A dynamic, inspirational communicator, Letitia excels at making difficult concepts easy to understand and apply. She has a passion to help leaders embrace their unique design, pursue their passion, and live their dreams.

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