CHRIST THE LIVING WORD CHURCH

Executive Pastor Miracle Burleson is a native Houstonian. She was raised in church under the leadership of her biological father, the late Pastor Nathaniel T. Burleson. She served under her Fathers’ leadership as the Sunday School Secretary, and Choir Director (from age 14). At the age of 19, she was called by God to serve and learn at one of the largest churches in the country for seven years. She was quickly elevated to the full-time staff filling two positions; Children’s Church Musician and Assistant to the Senior Music Director.

Miracle was a staff song-writer /producer and wrote an entire CD for the Youth Choir, as well as many original prophetic songs. She is also a published author. Pastor Miracle’s Ministry experience also includes the following: Founder of the “Breakthrough Buddy” Prayer Line (everyday) for 5 years from 5am – 6am where many people received prayer partnership and reported miracles everyday.

With a servants heart, Pastor Miracle was ordained as a pastor and founded G.O.D.S. House Church Int’l. For six years, she garnered valuable experience in frontline leadership which is useful to this day. Miracle is well-known in the Houston and surrounding areas as a faithful and anointed musician, singer, music educator and preacher. Formerly trained and educated in vocal music and piano, she loves to worship and train voices. God is glorified through her commitment to serve with humility; and teach the Word of God uncompromisingly, as she loves Gods’ precious people.

Dean came to Christ and started his daily walk with the Holy Spirit at age 28. Two years later, he was led

to return to college and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering while working full time to support

his family. In his work career, Dean was blessed to originate 13 US & European Patents and author 12

technical papers while serving the well completion sector of the Energy Industry. Having retired from

that industry, he now provides for his family as a Project Manager for TRC Land Barons, LLC.

In over three decades of service to the Lord, Dean has served in several churches as a church member,

adult & youth Sunday school teacher and deacon. Most recently, Dean and his wife Lavonne serve the

Lord as members of Christ The Living Word Church with a combined service as Worship & Praise Team

Leader, Elder, Finance Committee member, Sunday School teacher and Secretary of the Board of

Directors. Dean and Lavonne have six children and nine grandchildren and live in Houston, TX.

Pastor Brenda Pore was born in Sun Valley California. She was nine years old when she gave her life to

Jesus Christ. She attended Christian Day School prior to moving on to the public school system. She has

two beautiful daughters and four grandsons. She became a Lay Minister at Lakewood Church serving

with Celebrate Recovery and the Choir (Singing and as a Prayer Partner).

Her passion is to help the Hurting and praise and worshiping the Lord in song. She also trained with the Healing Rooms of West Houston and served in 2016 and 2017 praying for hurting people. She went on to be Ordained by Joan Hunter Ministries April 22,2017 and is still in good standings with the ministry. After joining Christ the Living Word Church and serving in the Media and Music departments she was Ordained by Christ The Living Word Church Senior Pastor Apostle Donald Rawls on November 19, 2017. She has now moved to Huntsville Alabama and still serves remotely as a Pastor on the Morning Bible study for Women’s Wednesday and Sunday Morning Service using the FACEBOOK platform. She strives to always have Jesus Christ’s light shine in her brightly. 

Shelia accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at the tender age of nine years old. She began serving in God’s Kingdom following her confession of faith. 

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Houston, Shelia began her professional career in Wholesale Marketing with Valero Oil Company where she was responsible for billing and implementing price changes for major oil companies. 

However, after a profound change in her life, Shelia moved to California the day before 9/11/2001. She awoke in a new place with the opportunity for a new beginning. She left the corporate world and decided to be reconciled back to Jesus. In 2002, Shelia accepted her Call into Ministry and began serving at International Crossroads Community Church (ICCC) under the leadership of Pastor Reginald Grey as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She also served as an ICCC Administrator and leader of multiple ministries. 

Shelia’s journey of spiritual training continued as she was led by The Holy Spirit to join Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship (FGBF) under the Leadership of Bishop Paul S. Morton in which she became a member of New Praise Nondenominational Church led by Pastor Joaquin Hobdy where she served as Regional Secretary and Missions President. After her studies at the School of Elders and service as Secretary in the Ministers Alliance Regional Mission, Shelia received her certifications from FGBF International and served as a Licensed and Ordained Elder, Celebrate Recovery Facilitator and Intercessory Prayer Team Captain for the Equipping the Saints Ministry.

Since Pastor Taylor has always had a burden for hurting people of all ages, The Holy Spirit has birthed new visions through her. One such vision manifested in her work as Manager of the Southeast Texas Dream Center in Orange, TX, which is a transitional home for women. Current visions that God has also entrusted to Pastor Taylor include "That Day", "W.H.Y." and "Places for Memories".

Currently, Pastor Taylor is a member of Christ The Living Word Church (CTLWC) in Houston, TX under the leadership of its Founder and Senior Pastor- Apostle Donald R. Rawls where she earned her ordination as Pastor Shelia Taylor in 2018. She serves in our nondenominational church in multiple capacities including:

• CTLWC Leadership Team Member
• Youth Program Director
• Hospital Healing Ministry Team Member
• Finance Committee Member

My desire is to live a life pleasing to God (Galatians 1:10) as Jesus and The Holy Spirit help me fulfill my Destiny...…. Pastor Taylor

Faithful and very active member of CTLWC. Pastor Stephens is passionate about helping people and serving God through ministering to young people and helping them to become successful.