Founder, Dr. Viola Hunter
Dr. Viola Hunter was born Viola Banks in Holly Hills, South Carolina to the late Dorothy May McMillan and the late Daniel Francis. One day by the providence of Almighty God her beloved praying grandmother, Della Gray became her guardian and raised her. She received her formal education at the Thomas Jefferson high School in Brooklyn, New York.
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Dr. Viola accepted Christ at an early age at the Saint James Holiness Church, Brooklyn, New York. She began her ministry by singing in the youth choir and later as Sunday school teacher. Today, she is an avid intercessor following the example of the anointed prayer warrior, Mother Della Gray, her grandmother. She married William R. Hunter Sr. on September 13, 1966. From this union, they have three children: the late Juanita, William Jr., and Daniel Hunter; six grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two adopted daughters and sons.
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In September 1970, the Hunters moved to Wilmington, DE and became members of Bethel Pentecostal Church 23rd and Pine Street, Wilmington, DE under the awesome leadership of the late presiding Prelate of Mount Sinai Holy Churches of America, Bishop Amy B. Stevens. During her tenure at Bethel, Dr. Viola Hunter held various positions such as choir member, ladies auxiliary member, assistant church secretary and Minister.
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A very successful entrepreneur, she started her own daycare, Viola's Christian Childcare, in October 1993. Caring for children is one of her passions--she and her husband are still continuing the business.
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in order to enhance her knowledge of God and the work of the ministry, she enrolled and attended the Jameson International Ministerial Fellowship. She was ordained as an Evangelist on January 1, 1996. The next year, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies Degree.
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The Lord impressed upon Dr. Hunter and her husband to begin a new work in ministry. Therefore, in May 1998, Faith Deliverance Tabernacle Ministries, Inc. was founded. Dr. Viola testifies today with great assurance that the Lord has chosen them to lead this unusual ministry. Souls are saved, minds are renewed, marriages are restored, sick bodies have been healed, the captives are set free and they are taught the word until Jesus makes his second coming to take us home.
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in June 1998, she completed and received a certificate for Christian Counseling. On May 30, 1999, she received her Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies degree. She began to further pursue her studies and receive her Doctorate of Arts in Theology Degree in June 2001, from The International Christian University of the Jameson School of Theology.
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She and her husband began assisting Pastor Pezavia White and his wife Mary at New Life Ministry in 2005. After his demise in 2006, they continued to work with Pastor Mary White until present day. In 2008, the Lord continued to deal with Dr. Viola to extend her prayer life by founding the prayer line ministry. That ministry today is known as Faith Believers Prayer Group and meets in prayer every morning at six o'clock, along with her prayer partner Pastor Barbara Brooks, along with over 30 plus prayer partners and continues to grow. For her obedience, this group have experienced extraordinary, supernatural results, including a fourth year anniversary celebration. To Almighty God she gives the glory!
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Dr. Viola Hunter is totally committed to pleasing God Almighty in faith by following the precepts and principles of the Holy Spirit and it's leadership and guidance.
Co-Founder Pastor Barbara Brooks
Late Pastor Barbara Brooks was a native of Wilmington, Delaware. She was the founder and pastor of Love is a Ministry, a non-denominational ministry which is also located in Wilmington.
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Pastor Barbara received the vision for Love is a Ministry (LIAM) back in November 2001, while she was actively serving as an Associate Minister at the Community Outreach Church (COC) of New Castle, Delaware.
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Although Pastor Barbara continued to serve COC in the same capacity; her vision was birthed in February of 2002. LIAM was the first to branch out of Community where Bishop Donny E. Skinner, Sr. was Pastor.
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LIAM began holding Bible Studies at the Quaker Hill High Rise, a facility also in Wilmington; and three years later after having been ordained a pastor, she began holding weekly services, which was ministering at the same faciltiy. Pastor Barbara's heart was full of compassion for lost souls and backsliders. She enjoyed preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and answered the call to teach and preach on many occasions, locally and afar.
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The word of God in Galatians chapter 5 verse 6 expreses that faith works by love; and Pastor Barbara expressed the same in her book. She encouraged and reminded others to know that faith will be tried. Believe that Christ is the author and finisher of our faith; and know that without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
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Pastor Barbara always closed with the expression.....
"BE EXPECTING!!!!"
Adjutant to Founder, Apostle Ora Gibbs
Pastor Ora was born Ora Marie Burton to Loretta Burton in Lincoln, DE. She is the second eldest of twelve children. She attended the Lincoln Elementary School and later attended Benjamin Banneker Middle, and finished her high school at James H. Groves High. At the age of 11, she gave her heart to Christ became a member of "Welcome Full Gospel Holiness Church of Lincoln" Delaware, under the direction of the late Reverend David Shockley.
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The family later continued attending the Welcome Full Gospel Holiness Church family in Georgetown, DE under the Faithful leadership of Elder James Hanser; she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at age 14.
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In 1966, she continued her church work with the Booker Street Church of God in Georgetown, DE under the dynamic leadership of Pastors Elzy and Elsie Savage. She was appointed President of the youth group, member of the choir, member of the Ladies Aide Auxiliary and directory of Children's Choir. It was there she met and married the love of her life and youth, Thomas L. Gibbs, Sr. on February 28, 1969. They have four sons, Thomas L. Jr, Kevin L., Anthony J. and Stephen E. Gibbs; 21 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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Pastor Ora relocated to Wilmington, DE in 1979 and began to continue her educational training at the O.I.C. Business school. She became a member of the Mount Sinai Holy Churches of America and joined with her children at the Bethel Pentecostal Church where she became, the church rector, choir member, youth president, usher, assistant Sunday school teacher, a member of the Ladies' Aide Auxiliary and armor bearer to the Late Bishop Amy B. Stevens.
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In March 1999, she was ordained an Elder under First State Restoration Ministries. She became the assistant Pastor to Elder Samuel Phillips; they continued the community outreach at the Boys and Girls Club where souls were saved and delivered by the power of God.
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She later moved to Florida and joined The Revival Faith Center Ministries International, Inc. under the anointed and dynamic leadership of the Presiding Prelate Bishop Janice L. Dillard, the Apostle. She also received many awards of appreciation for her work in the ministry. Pastor Ora worked as overseer of the Mothers' Board, Usher board member, a committee member of the Holy Convocation Committee, organized the first Women's Retreat for two years, and was a member of the Loving Hearts Ministry. She later became the co-pastor of Boca Outreach Ministries in Boca Raton, Fl.
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Pastor Ora went back to school to enhance her ministry and attended the Art Institute of Ft.
Lauderdale and received an Associates of Arts in Broadcasting Degree in September 2007. In 2008, lead of Holy Spirit she hosted "Mid-day Praise" on a local radio program for over a year. In 2009, she continued her education at City College to study business but later transferred to Lynn University and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree in 2011.
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She has now relocated to the State of Georgia where she has helped another ministry that had no shepherd. She is also one of the prayer leaders on the Faith Believers Prayer Line along with her husband Deacon Gibbs.
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Ministry has been challenging and constantly changing for Pastor Ora; however, she knows that she would have fainted if she had not believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, she serves the Lord with her whole heart. If it had not been for the Lord on her side she would have given up, but thanks be to God which has given her the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!
One of Pastor Ora's favorite scriptures: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1.