"We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will, with all the wisdom and understanding that His Spirit gives?" Colossians 1:9b (TEV)

Meet the Pastor

The Reverend Frank Branch, III was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia and is married to the former Ernestine Bell, a native of Albany, New York. Pastor Branch began his ministry in Norfolk where he was licensed August 20, 1989 at the Abyssinia Baptist Church and later ordained on May 27, 1993 by the Old Dominion General Missionary Baptist Association.

After graduating from Norfolk State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Technology, he dedicated himself to becoming academically and spiritually prepared for a life of Christian service. He graduated cum laude from Virginia Union University in 1993 with a Master of Divinity degree. In 1995, Reverend Branch graduated from the Union Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology in Systematic Theology. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the Wesley Theological Seminary, with a concentration in Spirituality and Community Transformation.

Pastor Branch?s ministerial experience and service includes:

  • Sr. Pastor at churches in Newport News, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland
  • Assistant to the Pastor, Dr. Frank Guns, Sr., Abyssinia Baptist Church (1989-1996)
  • Chaplain, Chaplain Services of the Churches of Virginia, Inc. (1991-1993) [was assigned to two Virginia criminal justice institutions? Beaumont Learning Center, Goochland and Bon Air Learning Center, Richmond]
  • Intern Minister, Second Baptist Church West End, Richmond (1990-1992)
  • Founder, President and C.E.O. of Iama Family Life and Educational Center, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty and crime through education and job training
  • Associate Professor of Doctrine and Theology, the School of Ministry, Inc., Norfolk
  • Adjunct Professor of Humanities, Hampton University
  • Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship, the Evans-Smith Institute of the School of Theology, Virginia Union University
  • Pre-release Trainer/Counselor for the STOP Organization/Virginia CARES, Inc.

Reverend Frank Branch, III, privileged Founder and Pastor of Mt. Sinai Temple, Inc., held his first worship service on Palm Sunday, April 4, 2004.