Our Leaders

Assistant Pastor

ELDER MAURICE D. CRAFTON was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, a graduate of Dunbar High School. He received an Associates of Art Degree at Community College of Baltimore in Electronics. In addition, he became a member of East Baltimore Deliverance Center in 1972 whereas he served as a Deacon for over 20 years.

After leaving the army, he worked for the United Postal Office, a letter carrier until he retired after 28 years of service. He has been married to his lovely wife, Ronda Crafton for 34 years who has supported him in the ministry programs such as Vacation Bible School and Food Outreach Program at the Church. After surviving a cerebral hemorrhage, He recovered from surgery and rehabilitation to continue his normal way of life such as driving and studying God’s Word. He has two daughters, two great son in-laws and one precious granddaughter, mother, father and many other family
members that act as mentors and examples to follow.

In the year of 2000, He was ordained as an Elder. He served as Superintendent of the East Baltimore Deliverance Sunday School. In addition, he had the assigned task to train the Deacons of the Church until asked to consider in joining the Ministry Team as Assistant Pastor.

After surviving a cerebral hemorrhage, He recovered from surgery and rehabilitation to continue his normal way of life such as driving and studying God’s Word. He received ministerial training under leadership of Bishop R.Q. Ray who provides clergy training to prepare Maurice Crafton for Servant Leadership.

To God Be the Glory for great and mighty things He has accomplished in my life!

Elder

REVEREND MARIA BRANCH SPENCE is proud to be born, raised, and educated in Baltimore, Maryland and attributes her success and love of Christ to her parents, Archie and Martha Branch. Maria graduated from Fairmont Vocational High School in 1985. After graduation, she attended Baltimore City Community College where she became certified in Fashion Design. Her academics did not stop there. She continued on to receive a certification in Early Childhood Education from Coppin State College and earned an associate degree equivalent from the Applecore of America Program. Reverend Spence utilized her education to work with Baltimore City Public Schools as an Administrative Assistant. She served for 25 years and received positive recognition from parents, administrators, and students that spoke to the outstanding service and support she provided for those with whom she worked. During her tenure, she created a program called Girls of Color. After years of working with the youth, Reverend Spence saw the need to expand her gifts and extend her services to the community, specifically the homeless population. Today, she is the Founder and Executive Director of Community Keepers, a nonprofit organization that aids and feeds those within the community that need assistance.

In 1978, Maria gave her life to Christ at the East Baltimore Deliverance Church under the leadership of Apostle Christina V. (Phillips) Holtsclaw who was the presiding Pastor. Excited about the teachings and ministries at EBDC, Maria invited her uncle, Senator Nathan C. Irby, Jr, to fellowship with her. He, too, became a long-standing member. Gifted in devotional singing, young Maria became a member of the EBDC choir, Director of the Junior Choir, a member of the Phillip Specials, and member of the Praise and Worship team. She also became the Director of the Children’s Church and Vacation Bible School.

Her love for God and her desire to grow in Christ prompted her to further her ministerial studies under the directorship of Prophetess Sylvia D. McMorris and Elder Shirley Bryant. At the Evangel Cathedral, located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland Maria, along with the Women’s Ministry, studied both the “Women in Leadership” and “Philippians: Possessing the Spirit of)oy Through the Power of the Mind’.’ It was there that she was certified in both classes. Currently, she is under the tutelage of Bishop R.Q. Ray for Clergy Training. Her ministry would not be complete without the love and support of her husband of30 years, Deacon Jerome Spence; her two sons, Michael Brown Jr. and Jerome Spence Jr, grandchildren, godchildren, and other close family and friends.

In closing, Reverend Spence’s testimony is now and always will be “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have EVERYTHING that I need.”