The Congregation
* denotes members of AEA (Actors Equity Association)
Shelton Jolivette (Pastor Lance Stevens) Rev. Shelton Jolivette is a true Renaissance Man. Jolivette is a native Houstonian who has deep roots in Southern Louisiana. Jolivette was identified at an early age to have a unique gift and passion for people. As a child growing up he worked in ministry by serving as a vocalist and percussionist for the gospel choir as well as working with officiating ministers during worship service. Rev. Jolivette is ordained minister, an accomplished actor and writer, a vocalist, percussionist, a professional drag bike racer and the CEO of his own production company, NPTT Productions. His greatest joy is being the proud Husband of Ianthia M. Jolivette of 12 years, and the father of 6 beautiful children. His acting credits include but are not limited to : AWJ Production – “My wife and the Other Woman”, “The Man I Love”, Yolanda Burroughs’s Hit stage play “I Can’t Fight the Feeling” Mo’Vet Entertainment – “Cora’s Sons” and “There’s one in Every Family”. And Film credits are SaDan Entertainment – “Napoleon’s Curse” and “Triple Cross”, Universal Pictures – “Friday Night Lights” and Cross Wind Productions “The Saber” Look for the his highly anticipated freshman project” “BURNED” the movie and novel “Jolivette”, Mr. Renaissance man of God indeed.
Evangeline Gabriel Young (Sister Finley) Yes, her name speaks for itself. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, raised and educated in Houston, Texas.
Evangeline is a natural on stage when it comes to singing and acting. She has performed in stage play productions such as Black Nativity, When Loves Walk Away, Everybody’s Man, and Everybody’s Woman, Cora Sons/There is One in Every Family, Will I Ever Find A Good Man, Replay, The Chronicles of 4 Mothers and The Masquerade. She has been privilege to share the stage with some of the world’s finest actors such as Keeona Gabriel, Jalene Mack, Clifton Powell, Shirley Murdock and Curtis Von.
Her film productions include Mike Jones American Dream, Queen Pin, Waters Rising, There Is One In Every Family, and Under Cover Christians .
She has had the opportunity to shared the spotlight with nationally acclaimed talents on filmed such as Shakira Gamble, Tamela Jones, Khalil Kain, Jalene Mack,Keisha Knight-Pulliam, Carl Payne 11, Clifton Powell and Curtis Von, just to name a few.
She is also a recording artist and songwriter, having sung background and lead vocals with various groups and choirs. Evangeline has work with some of the world’s finest directors and musicians such as Gregory Curtis, Shirley Joiner, Jimmie A. Parker Jr., Carl Pierce and the late great Edward B. Artis.
Evangeline is forever grateful to God for every door of opportunity He has open. She is also most thankful for the endearment and encouragement of her loving husband, family and friends.
Jennifer Montgomery (Sister Betty-Jean) was born and raised in Houston, Tx. on August 21, 1971.She is a graduate of R.S. Sterling H.S. Her parents are the late Pastor Johnny Montgomery & First Lady Josephine Montgomery of Bayou Estate M.B.C. where her father labored in the Lord for 42 years! Jennifer is the proud mother of Jajuan and Tajuan (twins), Tyrone & Ronald. In addition to her lovely kids she is married to the love her life Raymond. Gospel music is something that has been in her DNA. She has recorded with Kathy Taylor and the Choraleers, Rock of Salvation Mass Choir (song...Jesus, I Never Forget), Anchored (song...So Good) & many, many local artist. She started ministry acting many years ago under the leadership of Essex Branch in several stage plays. More recently, she played the role of the Diva Choir Director in Yolanda Burroughs’ I Can’t Fight the Feeling! In her spare time, she likes to do family-night-outs, fishing, crabbing, writing plays and songs. But most importantly, she loves serving Jesus! “I give Him all glory, honor, and sacrifice of praise!
C. Moore- Toussaint (Sister Sable) Originally from the town know as the red stick (Baton Rouge, LA), C. Moore- Toussaint has had a love for the stage since she started talking. She is excited to join the cast of Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife. At the Baton Rouge Little Theatre she was an ensemble member in The Wizard of Oz, and Stepping Out, the musical. She served as Praise & Worship leader at The Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge LA. She has recorded with Terrell Griffin & Revelation. C. Moore- Toussaint served as section leader for the Southern University Concert Choir. She hails form a lineage of singers and piano players. Currently she is a member of the choir at Lakewood Church under the pastoral-ship of Joel Osteen and she is working on her solo project.
D.C. Hartwell (Deacon Finley) The true comedian is like cayenne pepper. Zesting the repetition of life with spice and merriment. Effortlessly, he renovates the human experience with witty conversation and sidesplitting visuals. He leaves us erupting with laughter until we must clutch our sides and curl forward in our seats. We cry tears of mirth and struggle happily to catch our breath. And when he exits the stage, we feel we’ve added another member to our family - a member we can’t wait to experience again. This is the essence of the true comedian. This is the soul of Decebian Hartwell.
Under the moniker of DC the Comedian, Decebian approaches comedy with a style that dismisses the profane while securing his talents with standup and situational comedy that is hilarious for all audiences.
The Houston-bred comic discovered his penchant for arousing crowds with laughter while serving in the U.S. Military. Back on U.S. soil, his determination to test his chops came after witnessing an open mic comedy performance. Inspiration led him to create a comedy act of his own, which he performed the following week at the same venue. Once the crowd erupted in laughter, DC knew he’d entered his calling.
Since that initial leap of faith, the husband and father of three has been proactively honing his craft. Opening for such comedians as Jonathan Slocumb, Marcus Wiley, Sister Cantaloupe and Ezra has given DC a taste of the infectious life of producing laughter. DC credits great humorists such as Bill Cosby, Sinbad and Chris Tucker as major influences on his career. Like these comedians, his path to greatness is through clean, respectable humor.
“I want to do comedy that my kids and entire families can enjoy,” DC says. “I aim to appeal to everyone – from the gang member to the church member.”
DC endeavors a career laced with versatility and towering success. Having starred in various stage plays as well as having produced his own stand up comedy DVD entitled, “All Laughed Out,” DC is molding himself to be the next superstar of comedy.
“My goal is to be the best; to be that name everyone is talking about. I want my career to expand beyond comedy and into movies, television and books.”
DC the Comedian is quickly positioning himself for stardom – the kind that speaks longevity in the bosom of the smoking mic, the silver screen and the laughter of the crowd.
http://www.myspace.com/dchartwell
Greg Johnson (Deacon Jenkins) grew up in the small town of Thompson, TX . While attending B.F. Terry High School Gre received numerous awards in theatre . He has placed first in UIL vocal solo and Poetry and Prose. He is currently worship leader at Pilgrim Journey Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond, TX. Greg is the proud father of two children Paris and London. Being a former Flight Nurse for the United States Army, Greg has lived in Vicenza, Italy. While living in Italy he has performed with great Italian artists and in great venues like the Palladio in the Square Market of Italy. At this time Greg continues to preach and sing for the Lord. He has been nominated for a Texas Gospel Excellence Award . He has also written two gospel stage plays. Lord Help Me To Hold Out.
Sharod Choyce (Deacon Sable) is originally from Dallas. He is currently attending Prairie View A&M University, and graduates in May 2009 with his Bachelors in Theatre. Sharod plans on going to the prestigious American Conservatory Theater to further his education in theatre and after that pursuing his career in theatre, television, and the silver screen.
Derrick Brent (Deacon Williams) is a native of San Antonio, TX, and this is his first non-education performance production. He is a graduating senior of Prairie View A&M University, crossing its stage in the spring of 2009. Derrick has recently manned the theatrical frontlines in productions such as Lend Me a Tenor and Oedipus Rex: Slammed. In his passion for the craft, and his continual rapid growth and expansion, Derrick will place all of his primary energy into Acting, both in Theatre and Film. Other venues such as modeling and tech will be taken as well. As his journey continues through Faith and much Hard Work nothing will hinder him from competing with the best of the best. All readers, please expect this man to expand in this journey the Creator has set out for him, and to witness that nothing is impossible.
Sloane Teagle (Jalyn) Is a product of the Young Performers Program at the Ensemble Theatre, and a member of the Broadway Bound Youth Musical Theatre Company . She is a graduate of the Johnston Middle School Performing Arts Academy’s Advanced Dance Ensemble and the Varsity Treble Choir. She is a member of the Anointed for Christ Praise Dance Ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church. Stage credits include: You’re a Good Man Charlie brown, Dreamgirls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Porgy & Bess, Cats, Grease, High School Musical, Annie, and The Wiz. She thanks God from whom all her blessing and talents flow, and her family for all their support .
Jarred Lockett (Lance Jr.) is a Freshman at La Marque High School. He is a member of the LMHS Choir. He has performed at the Galveston Oprea House in Mazoola Children's Theatre productions.
Raishein (Vivian) Raishein, gospel pop music’s new crowned Princess, is an anointed singer, songwriter, actress and recording artist. She is originally from New York and relocated from Orlando, Florida to Houston, Texas four years ago. She is currently one of the Praise and Worship Leaders at Trinity Fellowship Church. Raishein uses her talents prophetically to reach the world with God's message of love, grace and hope in spite of trials and tribulations. She uses her unique voice, love for people and heart after God to inspire others to realize that in spite of your past, you can make it with Jesus. Raishein is about to deliver an impressive, powerful, and moving debut album entitled, “Believe” which is set for release on 2-10-2009. With the completion of this adroit album and as this album unfolds, Raishein leads audiences deeper into her world, walking them through a place of worship through her experiences and emotions. To learn more about Raishein visit www.raishein.com or www.myspace.com/raishein.
Robbyn Mathews* (Marilyn Steele) is a proud member of Actors Equity and is happy to making her return to the theatre. Her theatre credits include: CheckMate (Ensemble Theatre), Through the Eyes of a Black Woman.
Warren Blackmon (Marcus Graves)
Sabrina Braxton (Kayla/ Choir Director) Sabrina Braxton, a native of Houston, TX, began singing at the tender age of five years old. At the age of 16 she began using her gift of directing choirs. Since then, her gift has been utilized throughout numerous churches in the state of Texas. She is a member of The Greater Vision Church in Houston, where she serves as the Music Director.
As an undergraduate at the University of Houston, she has participated in the University Chorus, and as well as the Good News Gospel Choir. She also is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Sabrina holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Houston, and she has a Masters Degree in Reading from Prairie View A&M University.
Sabrina has had the opportunity to minister at several events throughout the city of Houston, and currently ministers with National Gospel Recording Artist Cedric Ford and Heart of Worship. She has had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at The National Gymnastics Invitational at the George R. Brown Convention Center for several years. She has appeared in The Ensemble Theatre’s Black Nativity, Harlem After Hours, and Pure Gospel Christmas: Coming Home. She was also in the Great Caruso Dinner Theatre’s 1950 Doo Wop, and was recently seen in the stage play, The Man I Love. While acting and singing is a talent she loves her students. Sabrina is a 6th grade teacher in the Houston Independent School District.
Diamantina Browdy (Sister Peterson)
Lloyd Sowell (The Bishop) was last seen as Ray Sr. in Bryan-Keyth Wilson’s Hood Boy. He has played Tiny Joe Dixon in Bryan-Keyth Wilson Production of Dreamgirls. Lloyd is a graduate of La Marque High School Lloyd is an accomplished spoken word artist. He is the president of Psalms 100 Gospel Choir and the Associate Pastor of Redeeming Ministries. Lloyd is truly a family man and loves his soon to be wife Kendra Sowell. His passion for prose started more than ten years ago.
