J.Bernard Braswell, II, is the second of three sons born to Deacon and Evangelist Abel C. Braswell, Sr. in
Lowndes County, Georgia. He was educated in the Lowndes and Valdosta School systems, graduating from Valdosta High School in 1990. He furthered his education at Gupton-Jones College in Atlanta, GA, where he received his Mortuary of Science Degree. As a youth, Braswell was raised in a godly home by godly parents and served in many capacities in his grandfather’s church, Braswell Temple COGIU. In August of 1995, he answered the call of God into the ministry as a member of Evangel Temple under the leadership of Dr. Henry E. Wright, II. He was ordained as a Baptist Minister in December 2002 at the Greater Union Baptist Church.
God’s hand and anointing is evident in his ministry. His oratorical gift and unique but practical delivery of the Word of God has enabled him to preach, teach, reach and serve this present age. With the anointing upon his life and being faithful over a few things, God saw fit to call Minister Braswell into the Pastoral Ministry. He was installed as Senior Pastor of the New Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Ashburn, GA, in February 2003, where he served faithfully for eight years and God was with him. In July 2011, Pastor Braswell accepted the call to pastor Christian Love Bible Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia and again, God was with him.
As he begins this new chapter in ministry as the Senior Pastor of New Life Ministries, the excitement of what God has in store cannot be measured. “For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”. Along with the divine duties of serving as Senior Pastor of New Life Ministries, Braswell also serves as General Manager and Licensed Funeral Director of Godfrey Funeral Home,LLC in Valdosta, GA. He is married to the beautiful, former Carmella Denise Williams and they have four children; Cedric, James III, Carmen and Cameron.
Bishop Larry D. Manning, Sr., born January 22, 1956, was the fourth child of the late Mrs. Louise Manning and the late Mr. Tommy Manning. Reared in Brooks County, Georgia, he graduated from Brooks County High School in 1974. He later enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving his country for more than twenty years. Bishop Larry D. Manning, Sr. founded New Life Ministries on April 28, 1991. For more than seventeen years, he led the ministry as senior pastor and Bishop. Bishop Manning dared to be different by crossing denominational, racial, social, and economic lines through his powerful messages that spoke directly to the issues of men and women. Through his bold and practical preaching, the body of Christ understood that “they were not here to co-exist; they were not here to take sides; but they were here to take over by kicking in the very Gates of hell”! Bishop Manning was a mentor, a motivator, and a mountain mover! A retired Air Force Master Sergeant with twenty-one years of distinguished service, Bishop Manning earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Community College of the Air Force. He later earned the Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Ministry, and Doctor of Theological Studies degrees from Bethany Bible College and Theological Seminary. While at Bethany, Bishop Manning received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. In later years, he was named “Pastor of the Year by Sharper Entertainment”. He was a pioneer, a prototype, and a prophet. Together with his wife of thirty-one years, Pastor Angela Stokes Manning, Bishop lead New Life Ministries through a year-long Exodus, a hundred-fold increase in the body of Christ and the building of two edifices. Bishop Manning went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 19, 2009. Although he is no longer with us, Bishop Manning’s memory will forever live in the hearts and minds of the many lives he touched. His children, Vashti, Darnella, and Larry, Jr.; and grandchildren are testaments to his life and legacy. Bishop Manning loved God; he loved his family; he loved his friends; and he loved New Life Ministries.