Ministerial Staff
Praise Temple Apostolic Faith Church of Virginia
Elder Victor R. Cooper, is from Raleigh, N.C. and was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost June 1977 under the leadership of Pastor Marie D. Battle of Praise Temple Apostolic Faith Church, Inc. Elder Cooper attended Elizabeth City State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, May of 1982. In April of 1983 he met and married his wife and soul mate Minister Cassandra Cooper.
Being obedient to the voice of the Lord, Elder Victor Cooper accepted the call to preach the gospel under the watchful eyes of District Elder Vernon L. Spinks in September 2001.Having a zeal for God’s Word he enrolled in Virginia Baptist College June 2005. He received his Master Degree in Theology May 2008 specializing in Ministry Counseling. Elder Cooper has served his community by mentoring refugees, teaching in senior homes, mentorship program and missionary work. He was a Field Worker in the PCAF and Eastern & Southern State Council from January 2007 - 2010 where he evaluated other churches Sunday School Departments.
Elder Victor Cooper has served at Praise Temple Apostolic Faith Church in the following positions; Executive Board and Board of Director Member, Pastor Aide Chairperson, Brotherhood Chairperson, Bus Ministry, Facility Manager, Sunday school Superintended, Instructor for Evangelical Training Association and church custodian. He is faithful unto the Lord and enjoys fellowshipping with the saints of the most High God.
Minister Brian Aaron Gaines, Sr. is from Cincinnati, Ohio, where at the age of 7, he was baptized in Jesus name at Bethlehem Temple under the late Bishop Young. He was filled with the Holy Ghost on September 2, 1990 at the Labor Day Weekend Convention (LADWEC) of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith (PCAF) under the leadership of Bishop John T. Leslie, Jr., Pastor of Church of Jesus Christ in Washington. D.C. Minister Gaines married LaShahn Gaines on June 6, 1992 and from this union came three beautiful children: Brian, Jr., Brittany and BreShahna. Minister Gaines has traveled all over the United States throughout his trucking career. As well as endeavoring in a business venture to Africa in 2006.
Minister Brian Gaines, Sr. gave his initial sermon on June 12, 2010. He serves as Minister, Board of Director Member, Sunday School Assistant Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, and Brotherhood member at Praise Temple Apostolic Faith Church of Virginia. The Lord has anointed his hands to serve as the Minister of Music and he avails himself as a servant unto the Lord. He also has a special gift mentoring and working with young men through sports. Minister Gaines earned both the Standard and Advanced Evangelical Teachers Association (ETA) Certifications in July 2011. Minister Gaines’ favorite scripture is Job 14:14, “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come”.
Minister LaShahn Gaines is from Washington D.C. Minister Gaines was filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gave utterance on April 14, 1991. She was baptized in name of the Lord Jesus Christ on June 1991 at Church of Jesus Christ where the pastor is Bishop John T. Leslie, Jr. She earned her Bachelor’s of Accounting Degree from George Washington University 1992 and later earned her Master’s of Accounting Degree from Strayer University in May 2009. Minister Gaines is currently pursuing her Doctorate at Agrosy University. She is currently a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Public Manager (CPM), and Chief Financial Officer for the Spotsylvania County School System. Minister Gaines married her soul mate Brian Gaines, Sr. on June 6, 1992 and from this union they have three beautiful children, Brian, Jr., Brittany and BreShahna.
In November of 1999, Minister Gaines received the call to preach God’s Word and gave her initial sermon on December 5, 2009. She currently serves as a Minister, Sunday School teacher; Chairlady of the Women’s Ministry, Program Coordinator, Vacation Bible School (VBS) Coordinator, and Instructor for the Evangelical Training Association at Praise Temple Apostolic Faith Church of Virginia. Minister Gaines loves the Lord and her family with all of her heart, mind and soul. Minister Gaines’ favorite scripture is Habakkuk 2:3, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry”.
Evangelist Joyce Carnegie was born in Nathalie, Virginia. She was baptized in Washington, DC under the leadership of Elder Lee Sanders of Straightway. She was filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues in 1988 while attending a United Pentecostal Church.
Evangelist Carnegie is passionate in ministering the Lord’s Word. She is anointed and compassionate in ministering to broken vessels. Evangelist Carnegie has served as a missionary for many years. In addition, she has had a successful Nursing Home Ministry. She is currently attending Fredericksburg Bible College to enhance her biblical knowledge. She has two daughters Jessica Nicole Carnegie, Jacqueline Lauren Carnegie, and a Toy Poodle Andy whom she loves very much.
Evangelist Carnegie is experienced in various professions. She is currently a Real Estate Associate Broker with RE/Max. She was blessed to become a Mental Health Counselor in 2008. She currently serves as the Women of Virtue Mother, Board of Director member, Finance Committee member, Missionary Chairperson, and usher. She is currently working on her business degree at Strayer University. As a hobby, Evangelist Carnegie enjoyed working with the Rescue Squad. With the call of an Evangelist and Kingdom mindset, she has ministered to many souls as she traveled throughout her life. Evangelist Carnegie’s favorite scripture is Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”. In the past few years, God has increased her burden for the unsaved with an urgency to reach thousands for His Glory.
Minister Cassandra Cooper was born in Louisburg, North Carolina. On April of 1983, she met and married her husband and soul mate Elder Victor Cooper. Minister Cooper was filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost on July 13, 2003 and that same day was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, under the leadership of D/E Vernon L. Spinks of Praise Temple Apostolic Faith Church of North Carolina.Minister Cooper has a B.A (Bachelor of Science) and M.B.A (Master of Science) in Accounting. She has more than 20 years of experience in Federal Government Contractor accounting. She is currently employed with USmax Corporation, as the Manager of Corporate Operations.
Minister Cooper was called to the ministry and preached her first sermon on April 17, 2011. She has served faithfully in many capacities of ministry in her local church, namely as Treasurer and Finance chairperson, Board of Directors member, Sunday school Teacher, Secretary for Sunday school, Young’s People chairperson, usher, Praise Team and the Choir. Under the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith Association International, Inc. she has completed both the Standard and Advance Evangelical Training Association Certification Courses. She is certified to teach as a Sunday School teacher. One of her many favorite Scripture is 1 Timothy 1:12 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful putting me into the ministry.”
