REVEREND DR. BRENDA J. GREGG, CENTER, IN WHITE, IS PASTOR OF DESTINY OF FAITH CHURCH IN BRIGHTON HEIGHTS.
by Renee P. Aldrich
For New Pittsburgh Courier
In 2010, Rev. Dr. Brenda J. Gregg brought together nine individuals to join her in prayer at her home to pray for discernment around the idea of planting a new church in Pittsburgh. They held these prayer sessions for a year, out of which came the vision and mission for what would be the new church.
In those early days of persevering, with no permanent home, they would hold services first at the Project Destiny building on California Avenue on the North Side. Then, they rented a site on Federal Street. The prayer warriors, Jammie Albert, Kevin and Melissia Ford, Robert and Rhonda Jennings, Rev. Annette Joel, and Reginald and Gwendolyn Murphy, would end up being the founding Elders of Destiny of Faith.
By this time, Pastor Gregg had been back in Pittsburgh two years; she had taken on the role as Executive Director of the non-profit she previously founded, Project Destiny, serving families and children on the North Side. She had returned to Pittsburgh from Ohio where she had been assigned to serve as Presiding Elder of the Springfield-Xenia District. She held that position for three years.
Having officially resigned from the AME Church after serving for 30 years pastoring at a variety of churches, Pastor Gregg sought the Lord’s direction as she explored the idea of establishing a new church. It ultimately became clear to her by the Holy Spirit that the move forward would be Destiny of Faith, the church that currently sits at 3737 Brighton Road in Brighton Heights.
The acquisition of this building was the monumental faith move that the 15th anniversary theme speaks to. Long after the building was discovered by Deacon Kimberly Bandy while she was in that area one afternoon, there would be issues with the asking price, issues around raising the money, etc. They would get so close and then it seemed they may have to let it go. There would be others outbidding them for the building, which was being sold by the Presbyterian body; but Pastor Gregg indicated that God had given her a price to offer—one that she would stick to until the deal was closed.
“I knew what God wanted us to pay for the building and that is what I knew I had to go with,” Pastor Gregg told the New Pittsburgh Courier.
They would face additional uncertainty and hurdles until even when it seemed the negotiations were over, and it wasn’t going in their favor. However, prayers were answered and faith rendered the favorable results when, on March 15, 2012, Pastor Gregg received the title and deed to the property.
The 15 years that have passed have warranted a recognition and celebration. On July 11, 2026, the theme of the 15th Anniversary Celebration was, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith.” That theme spoke to the pathway of the building’s acquisition by Pastor Gregg.
Also featured at the anniversary celebration was a pre-Gospel concert in memory of Minister Leonard W. Johnson III, who was a longtime minister of music at Destiny of Faith.
Featured artists for the afternoon included St. Paul AME Church’s Music Ministry; Voices For Christ; Urban Impact Youth Choir; and Tubby Daniels.
Sunday, July 11, 2026, featured two services. At the morning service was Rev. Darnell Drewery, from Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. Reverend Drewery spoke to the congregation and encouraged them that in this, their 15th year as a church body, they had a story to tell. And as individuals, each member has a story, and they were all stories that should be told—they were of the blessings of God.
REVEREND LAPHON FLOOD-FRANCIS.
The afternoon service featured a message from the guest preacher, Rev. Laphon Flood-Francis, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Homestead. At 27 years old, he’s the youngest pastor to hold that title at the church. His message was, “Our Faith Will Carry Us On,” a nice twist to the overall theme of the anniversary celebration.
Reverend Dr. Sharieda D. Patterson presided over the afternoon service, with singing by Evangelist Linda Rae King of New Beginning Full Gospel Church, Uniontown, Pa.
A CITY OF PITTSBURGH PROCLAMATION FOR DESTINY OF FAITH’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY.
The occasion was also made distinct with three proclamations; one from the Office of The Lieutenant Governor, Austin Davis; from the Office of State Representative Aerion Abney; and from the City of Pittsburgh, sponsored by Councilman Bobby Wilson.
The program concluded with anniversary celebration chairs Trustee Gary and Deacon Janet Acie giving remarks, and thanking each person who had a hand in the success of the anniversary. After remarks by Pastor Gregg, everyone was invited to the lower-level fellowship hall for, by all accounts, a lavish reception. Audience members were treated to the musical artistry of Gemma Stapleton, who played the flute and steel pan.
“If I have learned anything at all about planting and leading Destiny of Faith, it is that we cannot do anything apart from the help of the Lord,” Pastor Gregg said. “So, our story is really His story, as God is found glorifying Himself through his own church. Paul says it this way: ‘To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever…Amen. Ephesians 3:21.'”
