Pastor Sharon Anderson, Temple of Praise Church, Washington D.C.
Rev. Dr. Sharon Styles Anderson, Esq. is a compassionate and caring woman of God who has a heart for the people. Her commitment to serving the community is unparalleled, and is known throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area for embracing the vision of her leader, putting the legs to that vision, and ensuring that the vision is carried out with precision and integrity. She has worked in tandem with community leaders and advocates to effectuate change in the Ward 8 community of the District of Columbia for well over 12 years. She has worked in collaboration with faith-based organizations for much of her professional career and her unyielding spirit and positive energy compels her to work tirelessly on behalf of those who are disenfranchised. She knows that this is her call.
Dr. Anderson graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Spanish and studied abroad during her undergraduate career. She received her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown Law School and began her career as a public defender with a passion to serve those who were in need of adequate and competent representation but could not afford it. Among her most notable professional accomplishments was her work at the Office of the Corporation Counsel (now Office of the Attorney General) as the Senior Deputy for Public Protection and Enforcement.
Her outstanding achievements have landed her among Who’s Who in Professional and Executive Women; awarded her the Mayor’s Trail Blazer by Mayor Anthony Williams; and the Ambassador of Peace award from the United Peace Federation.
Dr. Anderson has also had a stellar teaching career. She has served as Director and Associate Professor of Law at Howard University, Visiting Associate Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, and Lecturer of Law at Harvard University in the Trial Advocacy Department. She has trained lawyers at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and Judges at the National Judicial College.
Dr. Anderson is an ordained minister of the Gospel. She received a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctorate of Ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary. She also received a Doctorate of Ministry with a concentration in Ecclesiastical Law from University of Phoenix School of Theology and serves as the Ecclesiastical Law Professor and Department Chair, and is on the Board of Regents.
Dr. Anderson currently serves as an Executive Pastor at the Temple of Praise in Washington, DC under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Glen A. Staples, Senior Pastor and Presiding Prelate.
She is a dynamic preacher, lecturer and workshop facilitator. She has lectured at conferences across the United States on topics relating to organizational development and church law, and emotional intelligence. She has preached the good news of Jesus Christ all over the world including Africa and India.
Dr. Anderson is the loving mother of two spirit filled sons: Kyle who is 20 and Collin who is 23 and is the grandmother of a wonderful little girl named Gia Iman. Dr. Anderson strives to live a yielded life to the Word of God and truly believes no matter the obstacle-as Paul stated in Philippians 4:13-She can do all things through Christ who gives her strength.
