The
Black Fire Ministries
Advisory Board
Meeting the Board Members of Black Fire Ministries
is like standing in the midst of a blazing inferno
of passion and purpose.
Each individual is a trailblazer,
igniting the flames of faith
to fulfill the Great Commission with unwavering commitment.
It's an honor to have each of them as part of the journey
and story of Black Fire Ministries.
THE IGNITERS
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Bishop Richard Howell. Jr., the 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Senior Pastor of Shiloh Temple International Ministries (STIM), Minneapolis, and the Minnesota; Diocesan of the 7th Episcopal Minnesota Wisconsin, Dakotas District Council, carries a well-earned mantle that identifies him as a man of God in both the House of God, and Government spaces. He serves on the executive boards of several organizations and is recognized by the City of Minneapolis as the first recipient of the John Lewis Justice Award in the State of Minnesota. Bishop Howell has a working relationship with the Governor, other state officials, City of Minneapolis Mayor, and Chief of Police. He is known for leading the march with other clergy and protestors during the George Floyd murder investigation and trial. In 2023, he was a Black History Month honoree, which aired on the local CBS News Affiliate. Bishop and Pastor Bettye Howell have two adult children, Richard, III (Michelle) Howell, and Dr. Andrea (Felix) Langford, and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren.
Shiloh Temple International Ministries
FUN FACT: At one point in his young life, he wanted to wear his like the one of the Beatles...but just couldn't keep the 'mop top'!
Pastor Ben Griffin is a strategic facilitator and experienced pastor. He serves as the CEO of LINC, a national nonprofit focused on citywide Gospel movements and empowering grassroots leaders. He is also a teaching pastor at Westwood Community church.
Other roles Ben has held are the founding pastor of theAlley church and as an outreach pastor at Woodbury Lutheran church.
In his personal life Ben and his wife are empty nesters with three young adult children, he produces ministry related videos and watches too many superhero movies.
FUN FACT : Ben was in a movie with Matt Damon and Bill Clinton. Technically speaking it was a documentary about Starfish Throwers (people of impact) and was interviewed regarding a partnership with the local Minneapolis/Saint Paul hero, the Sandwich man.
Pastor Stephanie Williams O'Brien is the Lead Pastor at Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis. She is also a professor of ministry at Bethel University and Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Stephanie has opportunities to coach leaders around the world through speaking, developing resources and her podcast Lead Stories with her friend Jo Saxton. She is a sought after leadership coach, helping women and men to be intentional with their influence in all aspects of their lives. Pastor Steph is passionate about communities and individuals participating in the mission of God to the world.
She is the author of two books – Stay Curious: How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith. and her latest book Make A Move: How to Stop Wavering And Make Decisions in a Disorienting World. Connect with Pastor Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com.
FUN FACT : She is a Lego fanatic! Some of her friends got her an exact Lego replica of Mill City Church!
1st Lady Nisaa Borer Nelson was born in Harrisburg, PA. She has lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota since she was 5 months old. She has been married to her amazing husband, pastor, and childhood friend, Jordan since Nov 2014. They have 6 amazing children and a pretty cool cat. Together, she and Jordan started Foundations Church from their garage in 2020 and have been going strong by the GRACE OF GOD ever since. She also does street ministry through her nonprofit #YouMatterMN.
FUN FACT : When Nisaa was around six years old, she was watching cartoons that suddenly went on a commercial break. The commercial depicted starving children in Africa, sifting through garbage in search of food. This scene deeply touched Nisaa's heart. One night, she decided to secretly place extra food in the garbage for these children to eat. However, her actions were discovered by her mother, who praised her for her compassionate heart but guided her towards a more effective way to help. Nisaa and her mother then began serving food to the homeless in their community.
Pastors Stacey and Tryenyse Jones bring over three decades of individual experience in ministry and leadership, and have collectively served for 25 years. Their journey has taken them through diverse contexts locally, nationally, and globally, including urban church planting, Kingdom arts, education, entrepreneurship, nonprofit development, and leadership. With a passion for utilizing every gift, talent, skill, and ability bestowed upon them, they actively share, teach, and train based on their life and ministry experiences. Pioneering Kingdom missions and movements hold a special place in their hearts.
You can explore their work at:
FUN FACT : Their son Priest "PJ" Jones released his first EP hip hop album when he was 11, and continues to light up stages all over the world with the hope of Jesus to the next generation!
Elder Colin S.G. Miller, born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Queens, New York, has a distinguished background in both the secular and spiritual realms, including over 25 years in IT, and significant roles in ministry within the COGIC and Assemblies of God. He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Howard University, a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University, and a Master of Science in Data Science from Eastern University. Colin has served in various capacities, including Director of Soul Winning and Regional Missions Director, and has been on missionary trips to numerous countries. He is the Director of the School of Technology and Assistant Professor of Technology at North Central University, MN, specializing in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics. In 2008, he founded Christ Saving Grace Church in Crystal, MN, where he serves as pastor, demonstrating his commitment to preaching, teaching, evangelism, and community building.
FUN FACT : Colin is a huge Marvel fan.
Bruce and his wife Teresa lived in the Midwest for their entire lives until God instructed them to move away from everything they had known. They left behind both of their families, community, and careers at the age of 52. God granted them a vision of a home atop a hill surrounded by grapevines, precisely where He relocated them, and which they now call their home. They have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and numerous spiritual families scattered across the country.
FUN FACT : God brought Teresa and Bruce to Oregon's wine country where they tend vines, host a wine ministry gathering neighbors, church friends, and family to harvest grapes, make wine, and share meals and community. Bruce, trained by God for 25 years, handles winemaking while everyone pitches in to bottle and enjoy time together.
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Pastor Shawn Basson is the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Light Church in South Africa. Born in 1977 to Dave and Elbi Basson, Shawn grew up in ministry, experiencing the culture of revival and church planting since a young age.
He studied at the Rhema Bible Institute in Johannesburg South Africa and worked as youth and student pastor at various ministries in the Gauteng Province after graduation.
During 2007 he relocated to Cape Town to help his father with the new church plant of Kingdom Light Church with various campuses across the Western Cape Province.
In 2015 after serving faithfully, Dave handed over the reins of the ministry to Shawn and he became the new visionary leader of KLC. Shawn operates in the ministry gift of teaching and the prophetic. He is also an author and a passionate musician who strongly believes in Spirit filled worship. He is also husband to his beautiful wife Esther.
FUN FACT: Shawn has done the Camino de Santiago in Spain
Originally from Southern California, Dave now calls the occasionally frozen tundra of Minnesota home. He's a multifaceted individual, serving as a podcaster, financial advisor, land flipper, and tax lien investor. Dave is also known for his role as the host of the Land UnConference and other land mastermind events. Above all, he takes pride in being the devoted husband of Cyrena Denniston, founder of Black Fire, and father to their two incredible daughters.
FUN FACT: Dave is a die hard Los Angeles Lakers Fan