Presiding Prelate & Senior Pastor
Bishop Glen A. Staples – known around the world for his oratorical gifting and anointed ability to teach the Word of God in such a profound, provocative, and prophetic manner serves as Senior Pastor of The Temple of Praise (formerly known as Anna Johenning Baptist Church). Located in Washington, DC, The Temple of Praise has expanded to more than 14,000 members and is recognized worldwide as a ministry marked by dynamic worship, excellence, and fervent praise.
Bishop Staples also serves as Presiding Prelate of the Temple of Praise International Fellowship of Churches, Inc., providing apostolic covering for more than 400 churches across the United States and abroad.
Bishop Staples’ oversight extends to more than 50 covenant pastors, including Apostles and Bishops in the D.C. Metropolitan area, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Atlanta, North Carolina, and Ohio, as well as 200 churches in India, 3 in Nigeria, and the Bahamas. A shepherd to shepherds, he has licensed, ordained, and installed more than 125 active in-house Pastors, Elders, and Ministers, earning him the esteemed title of the “Pastor’s Pastor.”
Bishop Staples answered the call to preach in 1981, was licensed on April 14, 1982, and ordained on December 6, 1986. His early ministry includes service as an Associate Minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, as an Interim Pastor at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church and First Missionary Baptist Church; and as Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, all located in Beckley, West Virginia. After nine years in ministry, including four years of pastoring Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Staples was led to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where he served under Pastor A.C. Durant at Tenth Street Baptist Church in 1990. One year later, he was appointed the third Pastor of Anna Johenning Baptist Church. On November 6, 2005, Bishop T.D. Jakes consecrated him as Bishop and Presiding Prelate of the Temple of Praise International Fellowship of Churches.
A champion of higher education, economic empowerment, and community transformation, Bishop Staples established the Way of the Word Community Development Corporation to expand the church’s reach by addressing the needs of Southeast Washington, D.C. Through its initiatives, he has spearheaded several multimillion-dollar community development projects, launched partnerships to support state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and opened the “New Day” Women’s Transitional Home, an 18-month program providing housing, education, life skills, and job placement for women and children. Today, it remains the largest transitional home of its kind in the District of Columbia. In addition, Bishop Staples is currently blueprinting a real estate development project to build multi-dwelling units for low-to-moderate income and senior citizens in the community.
Bishop Staples’ commitment to education is further evidenced through the church’s partnership with the University of the District of Columbia, which enabled Temple of Praise members to earn free college tuition through community service. As a result of his leadership, hundreds of members have enrolled in institutions of higher learning, and more than 45 percent of the congregation are now homeowners, an increase from less than 10 percent just seven years prior.
A native of Beckley, West Virginia, Bishop Staples holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Social Studies and in History and Government, a Master of Education in Behavioral Disorders, a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling, and a Theological Doctorate from Phoenix University of Theology. He studied in the doctoral program at Trinity Theological Seminary and holds several honorary doctorates from respected institutions. His past career as a special education teacher in West Virginia and Prince George’s County reflects his lifelong passion for education and advocacy. He currently serves as Chancellor Emeritus of Phoenix University of Theology and sits on the Board of Advisors at Nyack University.
Bishop Staples has been recognized nationally and internationally for leadership and excellence, appearing in the Empire “Who’s Who Among Empowering Executives and Professionals,” “Outstanding Men of America,” the National Register of “Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals,” and the “International Who’s Who of Professionals.” He is also a published author, releasing his first book, Preventing the Miscarriage of Destiny, in 2012.
Bishop Staples is blessed to share life and ministry with his wife, Pastor Dr. Sharon Y. Harrington Staples, a distinguished leader, teacher, and intercessor in her own right. Together, they labor tirelessly to advance the Kingdom through transformative ministry, community empowerment, and apostolic covering. A devoted father, he is the proud parent of three sons, Glen, Walter Lamar, and James Rodney, and three daughters, Zakia Jamie, Micah Chanel, and Imani Alexis. Revered as a visionary leader, dynamic teacher, and Holy Ghost-filled preacher, Bishop Glen A. Staples is a saved man of God who remains committed to preaching the Gospel and transforming lives for the Kingdom.
Sr. Pastor First Lady
Dr. Sharon Harrington Staples serves as the senior pastor and first lady of The Temple of Praise, Southeast, Washington, D.C., under the leadership of her husband, Bishop Glen A. Staples, presiding prelate. She is a native of the District of Columbia, where she spent her formative years in Ward 8 neighborhoods before moving to Prince George’s County, Maryland. By divine providence, the Temple of Praise sits at the border between the two jurisdictions. Dr. Harrington Staples remains deeply committed to serving both communities by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and advancing initiatives focused on neighborhood revitalization, education, family stabilization, and workforce readiness.
Dr. Harrington Staples is a strategic visionary with deep expertise in organizational leadership. She retired from the United States Department of Defense Senior Executive Service cadre after 37 years of public service, serving her last assignment as an Equal Opportunity Director. Dr. Harrington Staples serves on several nonprofit boards and is a small business owner. Her professional experience shapes her pastoral leadership approach, rooted in operational excellence, strategic leadership, and ministry innovation.
Dr. Harrington Staples is an avid teacher of God’s Word and is committed to discipleship through faithful study of the Bible. She established a church discipleship program and revamped the weekly Bible study with a curriculum-based model. She instituted the Temple of Praise eCampus to strengthen daily engagement with the congregation through Bible-based learning. Most recently, she launched Conversations Beyond the Pulpit. This leadership initiative equips the next generation of ministry leaders through dialogue at the intersection of faith and culture for practical ministry application and discipleship formation.
Dr. Harrington Staples is actively engaged in local and global community impact initiatives that reflect her commitment to faith in action. She is leading a multifaceted community housing development project to expand affordable housing in Ward 8, Southeast, D.C. In her first year as senior pastor, she established the Temple of Praise Community Council to strengthen collaboration between the church and community partners, resulting in workforce readiness, reentry support, and employment opportunities that serve hundreds of residents annually. She resourced the expansion of the church’s outreach ministry that now distributes fresh food weekly to local families and other churches. Dr. Harrington facilitated a partnership with a global mission organization, enabling the Temple of Praise to sponsor nearly 150 Tanzanian children in Africa and expand access to clean water, education, and economic opportunity. Dr. Harrington Staples designed and instituted a small-group ministry model that facilitated support and services for parenting, caregiving, grief and trauma, mental health, and financial management. Most recently, she launched a marketplace ministry initiative that introduces data and artificial intelligence within a faith-based framework to prepare the congregation and community for today’s evolving workforce.
A lifelong learner, Dr. Harrington Staples holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Master of Science in Information Management from American University. She has a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, where her published doctoral research examined organizational transformation in large congregational environments and succession planning. Dr. Harrington Staples completed studies for pastoral counseling and biblical studies at Andersonville Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School as a full-time hybrid student. She is an executive leadership coach trained and certified by the Georgetown University Institute of Transformational Leadership.
Dr. Sharon Harrington Staples is a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led pastor, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose life and ministry are anchored in the conviction, “For in Him I live, move, and have my being” (Acts 17:28).
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God.
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; that it is carried on in the hearts of believers, by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that is holy, just, and good and is one great end of the Gospel.
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel observing the ordinances of Christ by his word.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The Temple of Praise is a living testament to Gods bountiful grace and mercy. With the Holy Bible as a spiritual guide, and manual for daily living, a chapel became a church, a church became an interdenominational house of praise and worship, where dreams have been realized and faith has endured and the journey has just begun. The Temple of Praise, for decades known as Johenning Baptist Church, was founded in 1916. The legacy began when the Southern Baptist Convention established a training and missionary center to meet the varied needs in a very racially segregated section of southeast, currently known as Washington Highlands/Bellevue. Anna Johenning, a community resident and thrift store owner, initiated many of the missionary activities and the missionary center was ultimately named in her honor. In 1960, as the missionary activities expanded in the growing community, and in response to a call for a more spiritual base for the outreach work, the Baptist Convention built an addition to the missionary center to house church worship services for the predominately white community.
As the African American population of Southeast Washington grew, the two congregations separated and the Wayside Chapel was established to sponsor afternoon services for African Americans. In 1969, the chapel was organized as a church, adopting the name Johenning Baptist Church. The church was named for the Baptist Center because of the spiritual support and guidance the congregation received from the Center’s support. Sunday, September 2, 1991, Bishop Glen A. Staples, of Beckley, West Virginia, was installed as the third pastor. With the anointing on the life of the new spiritual leader, the former Johenning Baptist Church was a simply a spiritual flower waiting to bloom. In 1993, Bishop Staples revealed a spiritual vision for Johenning that included a new sanctuary and a myriad of community development projects. To that end, Bishop Staples started a mortgage retirement program/building fund. The burning of the church mortgage in October 1998 signaled a commitment to the new vision, a spiritually inspired quest. In November 1998 Johenning purchased the land for a new church home, located just three blocks away. The Johenning Baptist Church changed to an interdenominational worship format and thereby changed its name to the Johenning Temple of Praise. On Easter Sunday, 2004, the first services were held at the new 2,500 seat sanctuary at 700 Southern Avenue, SE. With a new building, and thus a new Christian identity, Johenning became simply the Temple of Praise Church, named for the congregation’s high praise services and commitment to worship God in spirit and in truth. Bishop Staples, a great visionary, true shepherd, anointed preacher, teacher, and prophet has increased the flock of the church seventy-five fold. Membership has grown from two hundred, in 1991, to over fifteen thousand currently.
