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Our Pastors

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Dr. Riva Watkins, Founder & Overseer 

Dr. Riva Watkins  is living the Majestic Life as a pastor, for more than twenty-five years, a mother, motivational speaker, and an entrepreneur. Dr. Riva’s inner beauty, gentle spirit and passion for Jesus are an inspiration to those who want to know Him. Through prayer, patience and perseverance, Dr. Riva is blazing a trail for God’s kingdom and is fulfilling her destiny. The Maryland native was raised in a Christian home with her identical twin sister, Rená. Excelling in her leadership roles in her church in Maryland, Dr. Riva was elevated through the levels of ordination as a Deacon, Minister, and Elder and eventually she was ordained a Pastor. Dr. Riva received her earned Doctorate Degree in Theology from Christian Bible Institute while simultaneously receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from St. Thomas Christian University.

 

With much prayer and counseling, Dr. Riva accepted the call and in September 2009, Majestic Life Ministries opened its doors as a local church. The mission of Majestic Life is to minister, motivate, and mentor members to mature in Christ and maximize their gifts in Him to live the Majestic Life!  She is committed to training leaders by hands on mentoring and cultivating.  She is also dedicated to the local community through many evangelistic outreach programs.

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Dr. Riva is the Host of the “Glory of Gospel” Radio Program on 94.5 FM. Dr. Riva was a Gospel Now Magazine 2010 People’s Choice Award nominee; she received the National Association of Professional Women Woman of the Year Award 2010/2011 and in 2012 Yolanda Adams presented Dr. Riva with the Lady of the Year Award.  In Jan 2017, Dr. Riva was a recipient of the prestigious President’s Lifetime Achievement Award presented on behalf of President Barack Obama. 

 

In 2019, District 5 Orlando Commissioner, Regina Hill officially proclaimed October 25th as “Riva Tims Day”. 

 

Dr. Riva’s book When It All Falls Apart was released in March 2012, her eBook Freedom Through Forgiveness was released in September 2016 and she completed her third book When It All Comes Together released in 2017.  Dr. Riva has also produced a CD project single “Incredible God” released August 2014 and on her record label Zion Records.

 

Dr. Riva has had the prestige honor of being recognized as a sought-after Speaker, MC and Conference host. Dr. Riva has made various national television appearances on Life Today with James and Betty Robison, The 700 Club, TBN and The Joni Lamb Show to name a few.  Dr. Riva has also ministered at the acclaimed Tom Joyner Family Reunion Gospel Explosion for several years. Dr. Riva ministers to thousands of women through her own nationally recognized Women’s Conference “Woman at the Well” in addition to sharing platforms across the nation for other women’s conferences.

Dr. Riva openly expresses her greatest joy in life is being a mother of love and excellence for her four adult children. In her quiet moments, she enjoys reading, performing arts, history.

 

In 2021 Dr. Riva married Dr. Robert J. Watkins and together they pursue both ministry and business endeavors alike while residing in Orlando, FL.

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Bishop Chauncey Brown, Lead Pastor

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Bishop Chauncey D. Brown is a native of Winter Haven, Florida.  He began his postsecondary education at Polk College majoring in Criminal Justice.  Next, he entered the Florida Theology Seminary in Lakeland Florida and International Theological Seminary.  Bishop Brown is a graduate of Boston University school of Theology Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence program. 

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Bishop Brown’s ministry experience spans over 20 years.  Bishop Brown began preaching when he was 18 and served as Associate Minster at St. James Freewill Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop H.J. Rodmon for five years.  Bishop Brown served as Senior Pastor of Mt. Calvary Freewill Baptist in Deland, Florida, Senior Pastor of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in Syracuse NY, and founder of Greater Grace Ministries. Bishop Brown served as the pastor of Greater William Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Homestead, Fl. for five years.   Bishop Brown also served as Annual Bishop of the South FL “B” Conference of the United American Free Will Baptist Church for 3 years. During his time in Homestead he  served as the chaplain for Homestead Police Department. He currently serves as the Staff Pastor at Majestic Life Church in Orlando, Fl. He has conducted countless crusades, revivals, workshops and conferences across the country.

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Bishop Brown has served in leadership capacity in several Christian and civic organizations.  These include Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, Religious Task Force for Domestic Violence, Urban Coalition of Pastors for Syracuse, Kingdom Connection Fellowship International, Executive Council Syracuse Healthy Start, National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, and Northeastern District Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education.  Former Director of the New York State Fair Gospel Weekend.

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Bishop Brown has also been recognized for his ministry and civic work.  He received the Crystal Apple Award from Deland Middle School, and was awarded as Clergy of the Year 2007 Syracuse, NY Above and Beyond Award.  Bishop Brown developed a home visitation program at Deland Middle School that resulted in him being awarded the Parent Involvement Award from the Florida Board of Education.  Central New York Magazine recognized Bishop Brown as one of the most influential people under 40 to watch for 2012. In 2015 Bishop Brown received the Lifetime Achievement award from President Barack Obama .

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Bishop Brown has a passion for enhancing the lives of youth.  He worked at Deland Middle School for four years as a student advisor.  After his work at Deland Middle school he became the Teen Outreach Coordinator for Syracuse Community Health Center providing HIV/AIDS pre- and post counseling, HIV/AIDS prevention classes, abstinence training, health and hygiene classes.The center continues to utilize the curriculum developed by Bishop Brown for youth development training.  Additionally, Bishop Brown’s worked with the Hillside Work-Scholarship as Director of Employment/Community Development helps families cope with adverse situations while ensuring they maximize all potential and learn how to help their children achieve success in school.  Pastor Brown served as  the Director of Engaging Men Program at Vera House, Inc. working to educate men to end domestic and sexual violence against women and children. Bishop Brown currently serves as a consultant to the Federal Government Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

Bishop Brown’s personal and ministry philosophy is that just as we have a mortgage or rent to pay for living in our homes, serving our community is our human mortgage or human rent for living on the earth that is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. 

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