Our Staff.
Meet the People Behind Our Ministry
Established in 2018, our center is blessed to have the following people in its ministry.
Dr. James O. Parker, III, Pastor
Dr. James O. Parker, III, is a native of Hampton, Virginia. He was born in Newport News, Virginia, and he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. In 2001, he accepted his call into the ministry and was ordained by Pastor Steve Parson, Sr., who is the Pastor of Richmond Christian Center, Richmond, Virginia.
Equipped to move forward in ministry, he served faithfully in the following churches: Ivy Baptist Church, Christian House of Prayer, Richmond Christian Center, and Faith Alive International Ministries of Washington D.C, and Washington Community Church, where he was the Pastoral Counselor. He is the Pastor of Great Faith Christian Center and teaches at the School of Ministry at Great Faith Christian Center, equipping ministers to teach the word of God.
God has allowed him to travel the World, Nationally and Internationally, to preach at various functions. In August 2007, he ministered faithfully in Tikrit, Iraq, for one year. In 2008, he ministered in Asaka, Japan, while on military duty with my unit. He has ministered to numerous other events since 2008. He also traveled to Ireland, Canada, and Germany and ministered to the Word of God in each country. We have over 1.5 million followers worldwide, including Germany, Afghanistan, Costa Rica, Uganda, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, and many more.
He earned his Bachelor's in Governmental Administration from Christopher Newport College, Newport News, VA, in 1987. In 2001, he completed Biblical Studies at the Richmond Christian Center Bible Institute in Richmond, VA. In May 2007, he completed his MBA in Logistics with a concentration in Supply Chain Management from Touro University out of California and a Master of Art in Theology with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Pastoral Counseling from Ohio Christian University 2015. In 2015, he wrote a counseling book being sold worldwide, Basic Crisis Guide for Pastors, Leaders, and Ministers. In 2015, he received an honorary Doctorate from the Los Angeles Development Church & Institute in Christian counseling. In 2023, he received his Doctor of Theology degree from Northwestern Theological Seminar, with a concentration in Christian Counseling.
He retired from the United States Army on 31 December 2017 as Captain. He served in the military from 1987 to 2017. Commissioned Officer from 1987 – 2000, served on active duty and achieved the rank of Captain. He also served from 1995 to 2000 in the United States Air Force as the Assistant Chief of Supply, and in 2000, resigned from his commission in the military. However, in 2003, God guided him back into the military as an enlisted soldier, where he continues to serve proudly with the 29th Division senior logistician under a two-star Command.
He has been married to his best friend, the exquisite Brenda D. Parker, for over 35 years, and we have been blessed with four children: Brittney (38), James IV (35), Jody (34), and William (28).
His ministry goals are to continue moving forward in God's word and growing his ministry as he continues to follow his will. His goal is to continue moving forward in God's Word, expanding the reach of the Gospel and the impact of His love on every corner of the world. He is committed to growing the ministry that God has appointed him to and to aligning his goals with God's will, ensuring that God's purpose and power always guide his efforts. Through relentless faith, dedication to serving others, and a heart for global evangelism, he aims to increase his presence and continue meeting the spiritual and practical needs of those he serves.
Elder Brenda D. Parker, Praise and Worship Leader
Brenda D. Parker is a native of Hampton, Virginia, and has been in ministry all her life. Her family is a military family, so she travels to many places worldwide. She received Christ and was baptized at an early age.
She was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2000 under the Leadership of Pastor Steve Parson, the Pastor of Richmond Christian Center. In 2004, she became the Minister of Music for Faith Alive International Ministries in Washington, DC, under the leadership of Pastor John Brewer. She faithfully held this position until June of 2014.
Brenda loves it when people get caught up in worship. She states, "There are times when we are worshipping that I sense God's approval, and that's what it's all about, doing what is pleasing to the Lord. It's during these intimate times with God that lives are being transformed."
As the wife of a Pastor, she has a heart for God's people and has traveled with her husband, worshiping God in song. As a dynamic duo, she and her husband set hearts ablaze with a zeal to help people find more of God.
Minister Stephon A. Winder Church Administrator
Minister Stephon A. Winder is from Hampton. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. On the 10th day of February 2019, he accepted his call into the ministry: Dr. James O. Parker III., Pastor of Great Faith Christian Center International pastor, ordained minister Winder.
Minister Winder is a 12-year veteran of the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, he served in two different capacities. A Nuclear Weapons Specialist, He Inspected, maintained, assembled, and dissembled America’s Nuclear arsenal. Also, He served as a Communications- Computer System Comptroller, better known as a “Water Walker.” Water Walkers monitor and control Computer Communications for the US Air Force. Minister Winder is still serving his country as an Air Force Civilian with the Office of Special Investigation.
Even while serving in the military, God had a calling on Minister Winder’s life. Minister Winder has traveled the world to serve as a missionary for Christ. During his time as a missionary in Uganda and Guatemala, he utilized his knowledge of construction to help build Churches and dig wells for the people.
In his early years, Minster Winder served as a teacher of the youth at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Minister Winder nurtured his talents as lead for Washington Community Church’s Audio and Visual ministry. He provided Leadership for the WCC ushers and Men’s Ministry. He was the first lead for WCC’s Armorbearers.
Minister Winder is currently the administrator of GFCCI ministries. He directs GFCCI’s Heroic Leadership ministry team. He assists the Pastor and Elders of GFCCI by facilitating many ministries.
Stephon and Ramona have been married for almost 25 years. God has blessed their union with 3 fantastic children.
