In this heart-stirring episode Reverent Ernest shares his life's journey with us and the powerful lessons the Lord has taught him along the way. He truly has a servant's heart! He has made, and is still making, a great impact in the kingdom of God!
The Lord has brought him through many painful experiences from an infant to an adult. He said those experiences that should have killed him just made him stronger.
Reverend Ernest Gaines is a six-generation sharecropper’s son from Oscar, Louisiana. He is the oldest of eleven children. Reverend Ernest recalls his early life, starting with his childhood in Louisiana. His father disowned him. When he was about four or five months old, his father tried to kill him. His relationship with his father for years was filled with pain and rejection. It was only by God’s grace when he moved away from his father’s house in the late 1960s to Vallejo, California to live with his grandmother. His grandmother was a Christian. They regularly attended church and Sunday school. This was a place made legendary to him as a child. Reverend Ernest graduated from Vallejo Senior High School and attended Solano, Napa Valley, and UC Davis Colleges. He is retired from Napa Valley College.
Reverend Ernest gave his life to Christ in 1997 and received his Certification of Ordination as a Deacon on July 3, 1998, from Liberty Missionary Baptist Church Vallejo, California. Reverend Ernest started the Brotherhood and Sisterhood Ministry and worked in the Finance Office.
Reverend Ernest resettled back to his roots in 2002 to Glynn, Louisiana where he attended Second Baptist Church and continued his work as a deacon.
He relocated back to California with his wife Lorraine pending her retirement.
Reverend Ernest became a licensed and ordained Minister and worked the Jail Ministry at Solano County Jail, Fairfield, California.
Reverend Ernest started attending Lift Bible College while at Mt Calvary M.B.C. working as a Minister with Pastor Fred Harper. He started the Good News Club, a weekly after school Christian program at Orange Grove Elementary School. He was also the Youth Director Minister and started a youth study group for members eighteen years of age and older at Mt Calvary M.B.C.
Reverend Ernest is the author of two books: Three W’s Tears of Pain and Joy and Three W’s How Strong Is Your Faith Through the Pain. Reverend Ernest also wrote "Get Up While It Still Hurts," an essay with ten authors who shared their stories of overcoming pain.
Reverend Ernest started a podcast utilizing YouTube and produced "The Cost," "He Will Never Forsake You," and "You choose."
Reverend Ernest and Lorraine have been married for 48 years. Through their union were four children. They have ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Reverend Ernest moved to Katy, Texas in September 2024 and is now a member of The Church Without Walls.
He is a faithful servant who God has called in His Kingdom, and he continues to be a witness and lead people to Christ.
Thank you, Reverend Ernest.
Reverend Ernest's Books:
Three W’s: Tears of Pain and Joy
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