Sterling Lands II

Sterling Lands II (born November 11, 1944) is the senior pastor of Greater Calvary Bible Church,[1] formerly Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He is the founder and Presiding Bishop of Family Life International Fellowship,[2][3][4] a civil rights and community activist, youth advocate, and author. He participated in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. He has been active in the NAACP and Operation Push. He is a member of the Warrior Gospel Band.

Sterling Lands II
Born (1944-11-11) November 11, 1944
Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
United States
OccupationSenior pastor of the Greater Calvary Bible Church

Early life

Lands was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a graduate of the Southern University School of Engineering, with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Master's International School of Divinity.[5][6]

Community activism

While living in University City, Missouri, Lands was president of the St. Louis chapter of the Center for Non-violent Social Change.[7] He was coordinator and president of the Association for the Nonviolent Social Change in America (ANSCA) from 1980-1984.[8][9][10][11]

Lands moved to Austin, Texas in the fall of 1984. Lands continued his crusade for justice, quality education and equity for African Americans. Lands founded the Eastside Social Action Coalition in 2000. The Coalition is listed in the Progressive and Activist Organization in Austin, Texas.[12][13][14][15][16]

Lands served as Chair of the Community Action Task Force, a subcommittee of the Baptist Ministers' Union 2000-2006. Lands led non-violent marches[17] in protests of racial discrimination and for equal rights and equitable protection to African Americans residing in Austin, Texas.

Lands, a former member of the citizens panel for the police monitor's office accused the Austin Police Department of racial discrimination and shootings by the Austin Police Department of unarmed people of color criminal. Lands coordinated a forum for community leaders and the Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo to discuss race relations.[18][19][20]

In a historic ruling Lands and his Church was awarded temporary parenting responsibilities for two children.[21][22][23]

Pastor

Lands pastored the Second Baptist Church, Frankford, Missouri, which merged with the 117-year-old Maryland Street Baptist Church, Louisiana, Missouri in 1981-1984. Lands founded the Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Austin, Texas September 1984, and the Family Life Bible Church in Desoto, Texas in December 2005.[24]

Youth advocacy

Lands is the founder of Greater Calvary Rites of Passage,[25] a 501c3 non-profit organization that aims to improve the transition of black youth to adulthood through character education and development. Youth remain in the program for thirteen years.[26][27][28] Notable graduates include jazz artist, Dana Clark,[29] and gospel songwriter, Monae Miller.[30]

Music

Lands is a "protege"[31] of Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee[32][33] Reverend Cleophus Robinson. Lands is the founder and lead musician of the Warrior Gospel Band.[34][35]

Bibliography

Lands is the author of:

  • Character centered leadership: moving to next level leadership[36]
  • Fathers make the difference: effective fatherhood survey results[37]
  • Inside out!: character development and abstinence education[38]
  • Parenting by faith[39]
  • A winning season - developing the character centered leader[40]
  • Integrity first : a process for developing character centered leaders of high moral character[41]
  • The main ingredient : a 10-step process to develop servant warrior leaders committed to building character centered families and character centered communities[42]
  • Evolution of a character development model that works[43]
  • Increase twelve principles of increase Bible study and discussion manual[44]
  • Lyrics for living holy[45]
  • Nothing short of grace[46]

Community development

Lands is the founder and CEO of Rites of Passage Development, a company that specializes in affordable housing.[47][48]

Sources
  • Lowes, Robert. "Largely white U. City PTO re-elects black president". Globe-Democrat.
  • (April 1, 1981). "Special School District Candidates", St. Louis Star.
  • (April 2, 1981). "District 6". St Louis Globe-Democrat.
  • (April 5, 1991). "21 Candidates for 4 Seats in Special District". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • (August 25, 1983) "King's Dream Lives on, Son Says". Globe-Democrat.
  • Vogel-Franzi, Jeane. (June 15, 1983). "U City Parents Threaten To Shut Down Schools". Clayton Citizen Journal.
  • (September 22, 1983). "Lands Recognized at Testimonial Dinner". The St. Louis Sentinel.
  • Rivers, Reggie. "Minister's talk to kick of King Week Activities". Austin American Statesman.
  • Dayna, Finet. (July 1999). "By The Content of their Character-Sterling Lands (Gospel of Faith and Justice). The Good Life Magazine.
  • Lindell, Chuck (February 5, 1995). "Man of His Word". Austin American Statesman.
  • Lindell, Chuck (October 26, 1992). "Rites of Passage (Church using rituals to teach youths)". Austin American Statesman.
  • Lindell, Chuck. "Midnight Mission". Austin American Statesman.

References
  1. "Greater Calvary Bible Church". Greatercalvary.org. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  2. Family Life International Fellowship. "Family Life International Fellowship". Famlif.org. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  3. "New Austin Bishop Suffers Heart Attack". Myfoxaustin.com. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  4. Davis, Jo Ann,(June 3, 2012)"Dr. Sterling Lands, II" Ordained A Bishop NOKOA Newspaper
  5. Family Life Church Fellowship
  6. Personal Testimonials from D.D. Graduates
  7. St. Louis Argus;"Minority Postal Union Celebrates 70th Anniversary", October 6, 1983 Issue, Malaika Horne
  8. Group Analyzes 'Non-Violence' As Civil Rights Tool, Veronica L. Banks
  9. Globe Democratic. "Activist may leave one of his posts", Leslie J. Allen, September 26, 1983
  10. Local Non-Profit Groups Oppose Federal Rule Change, Johnson Y. Lancaster
  11. St.Louis American; "Black St. Louisans Divided Over U.S. Roles In Beirut, Grenada, October 27, 1983-Vol. 55 Number 32, Judy Howard
  12. Naked City - The Power of Separation
  13. East Side Action Coalition Report
  14. Cuban,Larry,As good as it gets 'What School Reform Brought to Austin', Copyright 2010 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College.
  15. Sterling Lands' New Mission: Eastside Social Action Coalition Confronts the Public Schools
  16. After Mosely Murder, Tough Questions About AISD Campus Violence
  17. Baptist Ministers’ Union leads non-violent march in Austin
  18. APD Chief, community leaders talk race relations in Austin
  19. Police shootings study leads to racism accusations - KARIN BRULLIARD, Copyright 2004 Special to The Washington Post
  20. Sanders lawsuit deal troubles council
  21. "Grandma loses out as judge takes chance on pastor's parenting 02/26/1993 | Archives | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. 1993-02-26. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  22. George, Patrick (2009-06-28). "Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business". Statesman.com. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  23. The Austin Chronicle; "Sterling Lands' New Mission The Eastside Social Action Coalition Confronts the Public Schools", January 12, 2001, Jordan Smith
  24. Church History
  25. American Statesmen;"Rites of Passage", October 26, 1992, Chuck Lindell
  26. Texas Youth Commission Prevention Summary 'Rites of Passage'
  27. Greater Calvary Baptist Church's Rites of Passage
  28. Church celebrates high school' seniors 'Rites of Passage'
  29. http://www.womeninjazz.org/ht/dclark.html
  30. http://monaemiller.com/
  31. Canada.com 'A rich musical past grows and adapts'
  32. Ankeny, Jason (1932-03-18). "Rev. Cleophus Robinson". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  33. "Rev. Cleophus Robinson". LiveMyGospel.com. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  34. Arlington Chamber Community Calendar - The Warrior Gospel Band
  35. Festival Place|Show Details 'The Warrior Gospel Band'
  36. Character centered leadership: moving to next level leadership
  37. Fathers make the difference: effective fatherhood survey results
  38. Inside out!: character development and abstinence education
  39. Parenting by faith
  40. A winning season - developing the character centered leader
  41. Integrity first : a process for developing character centered leaders of high moral character
  42. The main ingredient : a 10-step process to develop servant warrior leaders committed to building character centered families and character centered communities
  43. Evolution of a character development model that works
  44. Increase twelve principles of increase Bible study and discussion manual
  45. Lyrics for living holy
  46. Nothing short of grace
  47. "Austin Achievement Zone: Board of Directors". Austinaz.org. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  48. "The Final Curtain - News". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
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