I was born in Houston, TX and was raised in East Palo Alto, CA. I was raised in church and have always been helped those in need. I earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University and later earned a M.B.A. in Marketing from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California. After graduating, I worked for the Hewlett Packard Company, where I served in a diverse number of positions for over 14 years. In 2001, I left HP and helped launch the Men of Valor Academy in Oakland, CA, a program focused on helping ex-offenders where I served as the Executive Director.

In January 2003, I established Genesis Worship Center. I have established over 25 ministries and we were selected from among 17 churches to purchase a 16,000 square foot church facility. Since 2003, we have completely renovated the church twice. Currently, Genesis Worship Center is providing Case Management, Job Readiness, and Computer Training classes to ex-offenders every Tuesday and Thursday. We have a partnership with the College of Alameda’s Open Gate Program (A reentry program for the formerly incarcerated) and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Operation Hometown Program (A reentry program for ex-offenders released from Santa Rita). We also have a weekly feeding program that supports those in need of food.

In 2009, I went back to school and graduated in 2012 with a 2nd Masters degree, a Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy from Liberty University. In 2013, I completed four units (1600 hours completed) in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Stanford Hospital, Kaiser Hospital, Sutter Hospital and San Francisco Theological Seminary. I currently serve as Chaplaincy Director for Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Detention Centers, Santa Rita, Glen Dyer Jail and Juvenile Hall Probation where I supervise a staff of 8 chaplains and 250 volunteers.

February 2003, Pastor George Matthews established Genesis Worship Center. In June of 2003, Genesis moved into the Snow Building at the Oakland Zoo. Over 300 people attended the first Sunday service held in the new location and many people joined the movement. The church continued to grow, and soon outgrow the building and moved into a new location. In October 2003, over 25 ministries were established to meet the needs of the people in the community. In December of 2005, Genesis purchased a 16,000 square foot church at 2708 Ritchie Street Oakland, Ca. The building was renovated inside and out with new restrooms, dining hall, overflow area, chandeliers, seating, carpeting, state of the art video technology, air conditioning and a brand new parking lot, transforming it to a immaculate place of worship.

Genesis Worship Center established “Fresh Start Academy” which provides Case Management, Job Readiness, and Computer Training classes to ex-offenders every Tuesday and Thursday. We have a partnership with the College of Alameda’s Open Gate Program (A reentry program for the formerly incarcerated) and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Operation Hometown Program (A reentry program for ex-offenders released from Santa Rita). We also have a weekly feeding program that supports those in need of food.

We are now in the process of establishing 5 housing units to help address the housing crises in Oakland. These affordable housing units will be rented to members in the community with Section 8 vouchers.

This loan will help the church business grow because it will net generate $96,000 per year which will help our church expand our program offerings to help those in need. The net proceeds will allow us to support the programs that we have not been able to currently fund. The funds used from this loan will help us complete Phase 1 of the project and help us to begin Phase 2.