Bishop Joseph L. Banks was called into the ministry in 1995. He was ordained and licensed the following year. After working with youth groups, prison ministries, cell groups, and inner-city street ministries, Bishop Banks was led to quit his job of over 13 years at United Parcel Service (UPS), to pursue his heavenly vision and began to carry out the call which God had placed on his life.
A Southern University (Baton Rouge) graduate in Secondary Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Theology, as well as a Master Degree in Theology, and Doctoral Degree in Christian Theology all from Life Christian University in Tampa, Fl. Bishop Banks has equipped himself spiritually and academically for the work God has called him to.
In 2001, he made a leap of faith by moving to Lake Charles, La to found Living Word Christian Center. This ministry is a strong supporter of foreign missions as well as inner-city community development & enhancement.
Then in 2004, Bishop Banks was led to make major strides in multiple arenas. He opened a fully-accredited bible college extension in Lake Charles of Life Christian University. Because of the strong apostolic anointing on his life, Living Word Christian Center (South Africa) was also planted in this year. As well as launching the Word Ministerial Alliance (WMA) to provide mentorship and covering to men and women of God, that have discovered their calling to five-fold ministry with the evidence of the power and gifts of God supporting their ministries.
Bishop Banks is overseeing churches in South Africa, Mexico, Ghana, West Africa and in the United States. He regularly travels throughout America and internationally to preach and teach the gospel; as a visionary that wants to bring about a positive change in and out of the local church.
As an educator he has taught many years in the public and private school sectors, Bishop Banks’ years of dedication to community and development led him to run for Mayor of Lake Charles, LA in the fall of 2017. Due to the integrity of the race he ran and his deep ties in the community, Bishop Banks currently serves on the Mayor’s Advisory Board. Where he helps to bridge the gap between the faith community and government.
In addition to following the gospel’s instructions on preaching and teaching, Bishop Banks also believes in being an example of leaving an inheritance for one’s children’s children. He is a successful entrepreneur and owner of several self-sustaining businesses. He has spearheaded the establishment of a new Boys and Girls Club here in Lake Charles LA. His most recent endeavor was helping to feed local families during this pandemic, we distributed over 1200 boxes of produce and 600 gallons of milk to local families in need.
Bishop Banks has been married to the love of his life Dr. Cathy S. Banks for over 30 years. They have one son Kirkland Joseph Banks. Above all else this servant of Christ walks by faith and his motto is: “Praise produces faith, and faith produces miracle, and miracles glorify God.”