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BLESSED ACTS MINISTRIES
Leonard “Speedy” Gainer,
and his lovely wife, Michelle Banks-Gainer are the visionaries for this married couples ministry. Leonard and Michelle joined
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, under the leadership of Dr. William D. Scott, in 1999.
Both Leonard
and Michelle share similar scripts in life. As children growing up, both of their parent’s marriages ended with a divorce.
Subsequently, Leonard and Michelle’s prior marriages also ended in divorce. Determined not to fail again, they both
sought to find what was missing from their previous marriage, a “Godly” husband and wife. Leonard knew from the
moment they met that the Lord had sent Michelle his way. Although it took some convincing on Michelle’s behalf, they
were eventually married after 3 years of dating on July 21, 2001.
During their first year of marriage, surely what
God had joined together, the devil was trying to tear asunder. They went through a series of tests and wondered if all marriages
go through the difficult stages they were experiencing. They both loved the Lord and they believed that through Christ Jesus
all things were possible. Consequently, Leonard began to undergo a spiritual check-up. While prbing GOD for answers, the
holy spirit spoke to him and said to “Surrender everthing unto GOD. He knows that you love him and believe in him,
however, you must yield to his will. Allow Christ to solve, Allow Christ to Save, and above all, Allow Christ to be Sovereign
in your lives. Your marriage shall be blessed when you do.”. Leonard later shared this with Michelle and they began
to give birth to Blessed ACTS Married Couples Ministry.
Their
ministry was established on December 20, 2003. Since the inception date, they have met once each month with over 30 married
couples seeking a more intimate relationship with GOD and each other. ord. The ministry objective is to help couples develope
practical ways of handling life test by the instructive word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Leonard “Speedy” Gainer was born in Panama City, Florida, and is the son
of Robbie J. Peoples and the late Leonard Gainer, Sr. His parents relocated to Virginia Beach when he was 6 years old. Leonard
attended First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, VA, and received an Athletic Scholarship to attend Atlantic Christian
College in Wilson, NC. He graduated in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration. He began his business career in 1980
as an Advertising Sales Representative for the Virginian Pilot and Ledger Star. In 1988, he was appointed with State Farm
Insurance Companies and has operated his own insurance agency for the last 17 years..
Michelle Banks-Gainer was born
in Elizabeth City, NC, and is the daughter of the late Elder Nora Ann Williams and Cornelius Snowden, III. Michelle was also
raised by her beloved grandmother Mrs. Nora Etheridge. Michelle attended public school in the city of Elizabeth City and
graduated from Northeastern High School. She continued her education at Elizabeth City State University, majoring in Business
Management. Michelle relocated to Virginia in 1985. Michelle is employed as a Marketing and Professional Relations Representative
with Delta Dental of California.
The two of them share three wonderful children: Leonard Gainer, III, Stefan Miquel
Banks, and Mone’t Ariel Banks.
We thank God for allowing us the opportunity to serve in this ministry and we thank
God for our spiritual parents, our Bishop William D. Scott and Reverend Joyce Rose Scott.
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