For many are called, but few are chosen (St. Mt. 22:14). This is the scripture that best describes Rev. Dr. Debora C. Hooper, a unique gift to the Body of Christ, with a unique background.
The Beginning
Dr. Hooper is the second eldest of five children who was raised with a strong spiritual foundation by her mother, the late Missionary Carolyn Ann Hooper. With this foundation, Dr. Hooper began her initial start in church at the tender age of two at The Friendly Baptist Church (Bronx, NY), where Rev. Albert L. Sutton is the Pastor. Later she became an active, faithful member of two other churches, Greater Emmanuel Temple, (Bronx, NY) (the late) Bishop Allen McDaniel and the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem, (Harlem, NY) (the late) Bishop Charles J. Reed. While at Greater Emmanuel, Dr. Hooper became a Christian and later served as a Radio Broadcast Announcer, Church Announcer, Worship and Praise Leader and Sunday School Teacher. Notably, in 1993, she became the first woman in the ministry to be ordained as an Evangelist. When transferring her membership to the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem, she served as a committed Associate Minister and single-handedly as the Spiritual Supervisor of the Youth Department (ages ranging from 5 to 25).
The Rapper
Dr. Hooper, unlike most preachers, hails straight from the hip-hop world! At the young of 13, she became formerly known as M.C. Debbie D, one of the world’s first of three pioneer female rappers from the (South) Bronx, New York. Exalted for her extraordinary ability as a young female rapper, she hit the hip-hop world hard first working with other male groups and then as the first female soloist. She later recorded several rap albums and then became internationally known as one of the Us-Girls in the hip-hop movie, Beat Street (Orion Pictures), produced by renown actor and singer, Harry Belafonte. (Click top left to see a clip of this movie.) Lastly, she is accredited as a pioneer female m.c. in the hip-hop book, Yes, Yes Yall!, which is used in schools and black colleges around the country for studies on the culture of hip-hop.
The Evangelist
At the age of 25, the entertainment world became a dark place for Dr. Hooper and she sensed a need for a change in her life. Surrendering her former career, she gave her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and began to embark upon her spiritual journey and destiny. Through a strong commitment to prayer and Bible study, God began to do a “quick work” with Dr. Hooper and she soon emerged as a prolific Evangelist in the Body of Christ. In 1999, she was appointed as the National Evangelist and National Head of the Department of Evangelist of the Pilgrim Assemblies International in Brooklyn, New York, under the leadership of Chief Prelate, Archbishop Roy E. Brown. Over a twenty year span, Dr. Hooper's strong passion to teach and preach the Gospel caused many churches and major conferences to embrace her ministry gift worldwide. With God's blessings, thousands of souls were saved, set freed, and delivered. Dr. Hooper has always been abundantly thankful to God for being chosen with such a gift, but mainly, as she so often says, “for saving me, redirecting my passion, and putting the mic back in my hand!”
The Educator
Although Dr. Hooper holds one secular degree from LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, New York she has also, through her theological training, earned five theological degrees (all summa cum laude) with the last being her Doctorate in Ministry (2001) from the Hugee Theological Institute in Harlem, New York. Interestingly, although she began her studies there as a humble student who knew NOTHING about the Bible, she committed herself to biblical study and later matriculated to becoming a faculty member and ultimately a Professor of Undergraduate Studies, specializing in Greek New Testament and twice receiving The H.T.I. Greek Award. Presently, Dr. Hooper is a professor at The Living Water Bible School in Staten Island, NY (Satellite) Call 718-720-4733 for registration and further information.
The Author & Mentor
Blessed to receive a wealth of theological knowledge, Dr. Hooper's greatest influence and spiritual deposit was received from her spiritual father and Pastor, (the late) Bishop Charles J. Reed, Senior Pastor of the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem. For over a decade, while serving under his tutelage as an Associate Minister and Youth Spiritual Supervisor, Dr. Hooper became profoundly equipped with the skills of leadership, character, and protocol. These proficient skills, along with two decades of full-time evangelistic experience, would eventually prepare her to be the first African American, and woman, to write and publish a practical, non-denominational ministry handbook for new and aspiring ministers. This, her first book, entitled Hooper’s Evangelist & Minister’s Handbook (Everything You Need To Know Before You Go) (Xulon Press) is now noted among clergy as a “must read” for all ministers and is a sought after textbook among clergy and bible schools for clergy development. In addition, because Dr. Hooper has a passion to help and mentor new ministers and pastors, she holds Ministry Mentoring Seminars several times throughout the year for those who desire ministry excellence. Lastly, in an effort to reach a greeater audience, she has been a columnist for The Christian Observer (NJ) and the ministry etiquette writer for www.Preachingwoman.com. Her extraordinary ministry work has also been featured in The Amsterdam News and The New York Times addressing challenges with women in ministry.
The Pastor
To Dr. Hooper, ministry means people. Therefore, it came as no surprise that after two decades of serving as an Evangelist, Dr. Hooper would receive a divine call to undertake the ministry of the Pastor. Thus, on Saturday, June 6, 2004, her Pastor, (the late) Bishop Charles J. Reed, publically installed her as the Founder and Pastor of the Greater Works Worship Center located in The Bronx, New York. This sacred ceremony would always hold a special place in Dr. Hooper’s heart because her mother finally relinquished doctrinal differences and gave her prayers and blessings to her new divine assignment.
As a Pastor, Dr. Hooper is committed to discipling and growing strong, victorious Christians. Whether preaching or teaching, her ministry style is known to be simple, practical and relevant to the times, so that the Word can be easily applicable to the life of the listener. Dr. Hooper's ministry also has a strong emphasis upon healing and deliverance. In addition to one of empowerment, especially for women and teen girls. For this empowerment ministry for ladies, she has founded “Us Girls Can” and “Us Girls Can 2”.
The Woman
Dr. Debora Hooper is a happily, single woman who is also a parent aunt to her niece and nephew, Niesha and Isaiah. She loves to travel, watch drama movies, read, enjoy comedy and shop for clothing and antiques (especially cars and furniture). On a spiritual note, to know her is to know that she is wholeheartedly committed to the Lord and the work of the ministry. She gives God all the praise for the great things He has done in her life and ministry but yet believes that there is even a Greater Work still in store!
*Note: This bio is for website purposes only. Please email us for a shorter version for your program.
