About Overseer Danelle M. Stephens
Overseer Danelle M. Stephens was born on March 4, 1961 to the proud parents of the late Pastor E. H. Stephens Sr. and Bertha J.Stephens in Memphis, TN. Overseer Danelle Stephens has one sibling Bishop E. H. Stephens, Jr. In 1968, Overseer Stephens accepted Christ at Oak Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of his father. Due to the untimely death of his father in 1972, his mother persisted in keeping Overseer Stephens and his brother in church. Overseer Stephens gives credit to his mother for being a single parent and spiritually mentoring him in the things of God. In 1973, his family moved their membership to New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where his grandfather, the late Reverend Hugh Morris served as founder and pastor. He served as a junior deacon, ordained deacon, percussionist, and transportation specialist.

Overseer Stephens graduated from Treadwell High School in 1979, and later attended Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis, TN. During his formal years of education at Lemoyne-Owen, he served as president of the Student Government Association. Under his tenure, he was instrumental in changing the law to make Martin Luther King Day a national holiday. In 1982, Overseer Stephens relocated to Nashville because of his employment with FedEx. In 1983, he united with Temple Church. It was there that he announced his calling to the ministry under the tutelage of Bishop Michael Graves, thereby becoming a fourth generation preacher. Shortly after announcing his calling, Overseer Stephens united with Golden Gate Baptist Church under the direction of his brother, Bishop E. H. Stephens, Jr. During his membership at Golden Gate, he worked faithfully in the ministry. In 1996, he was pivotal in organizing Full Gospel in Nashville, TN. His dedication to the Fellowship has been noted through the various capacities in which he has served.

Overseer Stephens has owned two successful transportation and limousine companies. He is a member of the IMF (Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship) and served the AFLCIO. He served under two Presidential administrations at Fisk University. Overseer Stephens has also pastored Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Smyrna, New Life Ministries in Murfreesboro and Columbia, and Mt. Sinai Presbyterian in Nashville. In 2001, he served as Youth Advisor at Temple Church. None has been as fulfilling as his current assignment as Pastor & Visionary of Ezra Emmanuel Ministries which commenced in March 2004. Under his leadership, Ezra Emmanuel Ministries has shown spiritual, financial, and numeric growth. In March 2007, he was appointed District Director of the Mid West Tennessee District in Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. In August of the same year, he was blessed to be elevated to District Overseer.

In February 2007, Overseer Stephens joined in covenant with the woman of his destiny, Lady Cosonya Stephens. He is the proud father of three gifts, Carmen, Kristofer, and Khristian.

About Lady Cosonya Stephens
Lady Cosonya Stephens affectionately called “Lady C” is a native of Southern California. She is the daughter of Minister Wesley Thomas and the late Kathy Thomas of Claremont, CA. She is a woman known for her love and dedication to God and ministry. She is a woman of virtue and grace. Lady Stephens is honored to share her life with Overseer Danelle Stephens, and blessed to be given three earthly treasures, Carmen, Kristofer, and Khristian. As first lady of Ezra Emmanuel Ministries, she seeks to serve humbly and lead by example.

Lady Stephens received her Associate Arts degree in Liberal Studies at Mt. San Antonio College in 1994. In 1997, she received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In 2004, she received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. She has worked 15 years in the area of church finance, and is currently an executive staff member at Ezra Emmanuel Ministries.

Lady Stephens has always had a heart for women. With the blessing and encouragement of her husband, she began writing a newsletter devoted to women entitled “Beauties for Christ.” It is her earnest desire to touch and encourage women. To assist them in becoming all that God has purposed and destined them to be spiritually, emotionally, and financially. She endeavors to be instrumental in the development of Daughters of the Promise women’s ministry at Ezra Emmanuel Ministries.