OUR LEADERS
Pastor Nelson Dexter, Jr.
Nelson Dexter Jr. is a, charismatic leader, community servant, dynamic teacher, husband and father who serves as founding Pastor of the Temple of Praise Ministries, a unique and diverse church in the body of Christ located in Harvey LA.
In the beginning God decided that man’s existence would be better suited with a mate. He had the perfect mate in mind for Pastor Dexter in the form of Lady Robin Williams Dexter a beautiful, intelligent, soft spoken giant of a woman. From October 29th 1988 until this present day their love is visibly displayed as an example that marriages can and do last. Their loving family includes three children, Rapheal, Jeremy and Ashana a beautiful young lady they have embraced as their daughter since her birth, and three grandchildren Gary, Jasani and Rapheal Jr.
Pastor Dexter received a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from St Paul School of Theology where he graduated with top Honors. Pastor Dexter also holds an Associate’s degree in Electronic Technology. During his secular career in corporate America he worked as a Certified Computer Network Engineer. His leadership ability elevated him during his secular career to the Director of Technical Services of a local computer company. Pastor Dexter held that position until being called into fulltime Pastoral Ministry.
On Valentine’s Day February 14th in the year of 1999 the first service of the Temple of Praise was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Holiday Inn Hotel. From that day until now the evident love of God has visibly been present on the ministry. At the end of that first service the Temple of Praise was formerly established with twenty five new members. Every year the Kingdom of God is expanded through the Temple of Praise as people enthusiastically join the ranks of the TOP family.
Using a simplistic and sometimes humorous approach to teaching the word of God, Pastor Dexter encourages every believer to live out their God given purpose. A man that prides himself on being a touchable pastor, he has acquired the affectionate name, Pastor D.
Driven with a passion to serve others Pastor Dexter has worked with numerous political and civic organizations to effect change in the New Orleans metropolitan area. A member of the Isaiah Institute, an ecumenical religious organization, and a past member of Jefferson Cops and Clergy, Pastor Dexter works with religious leaders in the surrounding areas to bring positive change to our community one person and family at a time. For several years Pastor Dexter served the men and women of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s department as a chaplain ministering to them one on one by doing ride a long’s during their patrol duty. Pastor Dexter and the Temple of Praise is currently working with the NOLA Interfaith Peace Initiative a group of diverse religious, non-profit and community civic organizations driven and working together with the central purpose of bringing peace to the City of New Orleans and its surrounding areas.
Pastor D is a remarkable and dynamic teacher, community leader, and is unmistakably a laborer of the word of God.
First Lady Robin W. Dexter
Height is not only measured in statue but it’s also measured in character. Standing in a four foot eleven inch frame, Lady Robin’s character elevates her to a height of more than ten feet tall. Every inch of her life and character personifies the very essence of her existence. Education being an important element of Lady Robin’s life caused her to excel and finish in the TOP 10% of her graduating high school class. She went on to further her education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southern University at New Orleans.
Once Lady Robin completed her studies in college she went right into the accounting profession fulltime landing a job with a prestigious bank formerly known as Hibernia. During her 24 years of employment in the banking industry Lady Robin obtained certifications in numerous financial disciplines. She is currently Assistant Vice President in the Wealth & Asset Management Department.
Married over 20 years to Pastor Nelson Dexter, Jr. family is a very important part of Lady Robin’s life. She is a loving and caring mother of two sons Rapheal and Jeremy Dexter. Her love didn’t stop there but extended to a beautiful young lady, Ashana Williams, she raised as her own from birth.
Lady Robin is the cofounder of the Temple of Praise Ministries where she serves alongside of her husband, Pastor Nelson Dexter, Jr. Her commitment to see the vision of her husband come to pass drives her to work in many areas of ministry. Lady Robin’s expertise in accounting has helped the Temple of Praise Ministries maintain a high level of accurate financial records.
Going higher in ministry Lady Robin received her license to minister the Gospel in February 2010. Her vision for women has caused her to be a dynamic leader of the Temple of Praise Women’s Department, known as Temple of Praise Princesses. Every year she puts on an event that is highly anticipated called “Pampering God’s Princess” helping Ladies to realize the princess in all of them.
Passionate about the city of New Orleans she involves herself in numerous community projects. Such as Habitat for Humanity, Learn to Read Mentoring Program, Park & School Revitalization Project, Special Olympics and Junior Achievement.
Another reason why Lady Robin is so tall in character is because she is not only community minded she is also civic minded. She served as a board member of Mission Possible Nonprofit Organization helping to enhance and elevate the lives of people by mentoring, training, and developing.
As Lady Robin grows older each year her life and character causes her to grow taller and taller. We can only imagine the height she will achieve.