[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 203 (Monday, December 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  CELEBRATING THE 25TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP LESTER LOVE AND 
                  PASTOR FRAN LOVE OF THE CITY OF LOVE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 11, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 25 
years of faithful, phenomenal leadership from an outstanding New 
Orleans Co-Pastor couple, Bishop Lester Love and Pastor Fran Love.
  Bishop Lester Love is the Lead Pastor of the City of Love. He 
possesses unique leadership skills, and yet, widely recognized for his 
ability to organize a team of people, energize them to accomplish any 
challenges that are set before them, and provide them with strategies 
for implementation. Bishop Love was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on 
April 1, 1965, and currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the 
Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He received his 
license to preach in 1989, and was ordained on May 1, 1992 under the 
administration of Bishop of the Paul S. Morton, Sr.
  On December 22, 1997, then interim Pastor Love of Greater Antioch 
presented his first message. One year later in April of 1998, both the 
Co-Pastor couple were installed as Pastors. In July 2005, he was 
consecrated to the highest position in the church, the office of a 
Bishop. He began his leadership as the Lead Pastor of the Greater 
Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church in 1993.
  Bishop Love, always seeking to make the Word of God as clear and 
relevant as possible, was asked constantly about the meaning of the 
word ``Antioch''. The Bible states that Antioch was the first place 
that the followers of Jesus were called Christians because of the love 
that they showed to one another and to the community at large (Acts 
11:26). Thus, in 2009, the name Greater Antioch Full Gospel Baptist 
Church was changed to The City of Love. Pastor Fran was elevated to the 
office of Prophet in August 2022. Currently, the membership has 
exceeded 2,000 active members.
  Bishop Love has published several books including Synergy, Catching 
the Mantle and The Art of Armor Bearing: God's Blueprint for Effective 
Servanthood, which quickly became the ``how to'' book for leadership 
and excellence in service for churches and corporations. His latest 
book ``Whatever It Takes''encourages us to maximize our potential.
  His many talents also include singing. He was the featured soloist on 
the CD ``Where Love Abides,'' which won the Big Easy Award (New 
Orleans' version of the Grammys) for Best Gospel Artist. He has also 
garnered national attention for his YouTube ``Love Songs'' clip, which 
has millions of views.
  Bishop Love has served as the host of the Essence Music Festival 
Gospel Tribute for several years and daily radio host on WBOK for ``The 
Lester Love Show.'' He's been crowned ``The Voice of Hope'' by many and 
this title is fitting of Lester Love--Senior Pastor of The City of Love 
in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lester Love's messages of hope, positive 
thinking and empowerment are sustaining and motivating both young and 
old across the country. His motto ``Living the Good Life'' encourages 
us to `Think Bigger, Dream Bigger, Live Better.'
  Although Bishop Love's leadership abilities have been recognized 
across the globe, in addition God has sent him on a mission to fulfill 
his calling to teach and train the people of God on how to effectively 
serve the men and women of God.
  Prophet Fran Love serves as the Co-lead pastor with her husband, 
Bishop Lester Love, at The City of Love in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a 
devoted wife and dedicated mother, Prophet Fran is listed among the 
most influential and socially engaged women of our time. Bishop Love 
and his wife Fran are the proud parents of three girls, Joy, Faith, and 
Angel Love.
  From pulpits to street pavements, Prophet Fran's commitment to 
providing relief to the social issues affecting all mankind birthed the 
ministry of Daughters of Life and Love (DOLL) and nonprofit Love 365 
where she leads an effort that cares for those suffering from a lack of 
food and homelessness.
  Prophet Fran's kinetic faithfulness for a victorious living is deeply 
rooted in biblical principles. The totality of her essence firmly 
stands on her confession from James 1:4: ``I am perfect, I am complete, 
wanting and lacking nothing.'' Boldly leading revolutionary ministries, 
this award-winning humanitarian, spiritual leader, scholar, and actress 
is devoted to influencing people into higher levels of unity, 
forgiveness, fulfillment, and purpose.
  After meeting in college, Lester and Fran Love were an immediate 
``can't miss'' couple. Thirty-one years and three daughters later, this 
couple is still flowing together. Bishop Lester and Pastor Fran Love 
lead The City of Love Church, a loving, vibrant experience with its 
heart entrenched in New Orleans, LA. The Loves are touted by local and 
national organizations and media for their philanthropic community 
work. Through the church, they lead LOVE365, a community outreach 
organization that has fed upwards of 2,000 homeless and hungry people 
at the Salvation Army, Duncan Plaza and the Hollygrove Community per 
week. Bishop Love and Prophet Fran have been a part of the Essence 
Festival Celebration for several years.
  Prophet Fran also leads a women's empowerment group, ``Fridays with 
Fran''. Together they were inspired to create The I AM Prayer Journey, 
designed to lead people into a simple, yet deeper relationship with 
God. The Greater New Orleans Community is blessed to have them as 
spiritual leaders to so many. I am proud to call them friends for over 
25 years. What a blessing to have spiritual friends, a Bishop and 
prayer warrior throughout my political career. I am forever grateful 
for their friendship, love, and guidance as I serve the Constituents of 
LA02. I congratulate them on 25 years of spiritual leadership, and may 
they see many more years serving individuals across the country.

                          ____________________