Sterling Lands II


Sterling Lands II is the senior pastor of Greater Calvary Bible Church, formerly Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He is the founder and Presiding Bishop of Family Life International Fellowship, 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.

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.

Community activism

While living in University City, Missouri, Lands was president of the St. Louis chapter of the Center for Non-violent Social Change. He was coordinator and president of the Association for the Nonviolent Social Change in America from 1980-1984.
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.
Lands served as Chair of the Community Action Task Force, a subcommittee of the Baptist Ministers' Union 2000-2006. Lands led non-violent marches 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.

Legal

In a historic ruling Lands and his Church was awarded temporary parenting responsibilities for two children.

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.

Youth advocacy

Lands is the founder of Greater Calvary Rites of Passage, 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.
Notable graduates include jazz artist, Dana Clark, and gospel songwriter, Monae Miller.

Music

Lands is a "protege" of Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee Reverend Cleophus Robinson.
Lands is the founder and lead musician of the Warrior Gospel Band.

Community development

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