Pastor Lafayette Kelly, is a native of Fort Worth, Texas-raised in a community on the Eastside of the city name Eastwood. Loved and reared by a loving family, it was obvious and evident that God had special plans for his life. Plans to lead God’s people to a place of promise holistically. God used his season of responsibilities in corporate America to cultivate his communicative and personal skills preparing him for his purpose to fulfill his Kingdom assignment. It’s not ironic that God gifted Pastor Kelly with interpersonal skills in which would be needed to shepherd God’s people. Upon receiving his call to preach the gospel in November of 2002 and preaching his first sermon on the first Sunday evening in January of 2003, while growing and serving under the leadership of His father in the ministry Dr. Roy Elton Brackins, he realized the importance of being equipped to be effective to give the Holy Spirit more to work with. He began his studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently continuing his theological studies. Pastor Kelly served faithfully at his home church, the Grace Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of founding Pastor Dr. Roy Elton Brackins. He served in multiple leadership roles during his tenure there. Those roles of responsibility were, Church school teacher, Deacon, Armor bearer, Men’s Ministry Leader, Ministries Coordinator, Youth Pastor, Minister of Christian Education, and Pastor’s Assistant as well as outreach and other need meeting ministries. During his season of serving faithfully, it conditioned him for the call to serve as the founding Pastor of the Abundant Life Church.  The Biblical premise of the ALC is John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)He echoes the mission of the ALC, “Settling is not our standard of living but soaring to the level God has mandated through His word for our lives.” He recognizes that we are here not to exist but to GROW to God’s glory. Pastor Kelly has authored his first book entitled, “It’s My Fault” which was released in June of 2016. The premise of his book conveys that in order to change your current reality into a new reality, you have to take responsibility. It’s a resource that focuses on adults in whatever capacity they serve in and there is an adolescent focus for youth application as well. Pastor Kelly emphasizes that he could not be effective in ministry without the prayers and support of His wife Caleisha and family. He and his beautiful wife Caleisha have 5 incredible children, Larry, Lafayette, Angel, Chloe, and Larenz.