David G. Evans Denial is the defense of failure. Company: DGEM, Inc. Location: Lindenwold, New Jersey Website: www.davidgevans.com

Biography:
Bishop, pastor, author, television and radio host, music producer, economist, business man, banker and visionary. Dr. Bishop David G. Evans defies all the titles he has rightfully earned. He is simply a man on a mission. He accepted the pastorate of a tiny church in New Jersey and in less than 20 years has transformed Bethany Baptist Church from 29 members into a 27,000-member congregation that boasts one of the most diversified memberships in the country.

Every church has a wealth of talent and gifts, says Bishop Evans, but many are not maximizing their God-given potential. We made a decision early on to make this a church where all ages, all races, all ethnic backgrounds could call home. It was an assertive and aggressive agenda, but we ve seen it work.

Seeing the potential in Evans own life was difficult when he was growing up in Philadelphia in a home with a mother who was a Christian and a father who was an alcoholic. Fortunately, I had a very strong grandfather, says Evans. He was a strong example of a man in my life.

With the encouragement of his grandfather, he graduated from Lincoln University in 1973 with degrees in economics and education and pursued employment in the corporate world. He became active in the gospel music
industry as a partner of Sweet Rain Records with an artist roster of hit makers such as Hezekiah Walker, the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, among many others. In 1989, Evans accepted his calling to pastor and was
licensed in the ministry.

Today, as Bishop and presiding officer of the Abundant Harvest Fellowship of Churches, Evans heads an international fellowship of more than 175 churches in the U.S., Africa and India. But beyond his
leadership in his church and denomination, Evans is a firm believer in being involved as a civic leader in the community. He was a HUD YouthBuild USA partner for South Jersey, a Fannie Mae advisory board member, and is the chairman of the National Home Owner Initiative, as well as the originator of Harvest Transitional Homes for Women. He also spearheaded the South Jersey Foster Care Provider Program. Since 1990, under Evans guidance, Bethany Baptist has grown into much more than a place of worship for their community. The church has built senior housing, a medical center, a recreation center and instituted one of the largest faith-based mortgage-lending institutions in the country which, even in the midst of the current recession, has experienced zero foreclosures.

There is a misconception about the separation of Church and State, says Bishop. That edict was never meant to restrict the church and the government from working together. It was drawn up to prevent the government from dictating who people should worship. But every king in the Old Testament had a priest.

In 2005, Evans released the critically-acclaimed book Healed Without Scars which sold over 400,000 copies, making him the best-selling author in Whitaker House history. Abundant Harvest Entertainment, Evans independent record label, followed up the popular book with a DVD of the same name with songs of healing and wholeness. The label s sophomore project, Bishop David G. Evans Presents Automatic Praise Live!, has
recently become the first recording in gospel music history to have three songs playing on four different radio chart genres: urban gospel, Inspirational, country and Southern Gospel. Recorded live at Evans' church, the CD was fashioned to be a multi-cultural offering, according to Evans.

You can look up on our platform on any given Sunday, and see people from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. The vision of our church has always been to have versatile and integrated worship. Abundant Harvest Entertainment has just released five DVD teaching series from Evans entitled Dare to be a Man, I Love You But I Don't Understand You, I Won't Let Go, The Power of Perception, and The Power of Your Voice. Evans will also be releasing a new book in the fall with Putnam Publishing entitled Dare To Be A Man, which is geared toward what Evans describes as teaching men to become a safe place for their loved ones, along with revealing information women need to know.

Bishop Evans is seen worldwide every Sunday during The Power of Revelation television broadcast, and he also hosts a live, call-in radio show called On Point every Saturday morning. From a church of less than 30 members to an internationally-renowned ministry, Evans continues to exemplify the excellence of potential for himself that he sees in every human being.

Availability:
Available as a speaker and expert.