About us
Pastor Dr. Carline Tillman Brooks is the seventh of nine children born on September 1, 1964 to Edward and Francis Tillman. Her father was a preacher who had a personal encounter with the Lord during a near death experience. That encounter started his evangelistic walk of visiting those who were sick and afflicted in the hospital wards. Specifically, Charity Hospital knew him well. It was his encounter and walk with the Lord that created an atmosphere of “staying in fellowship with others as you do the Lord’s Will.” Following in her father’s footsteps, Pastor Dr. Carline sought the Lord at an early age and ministered in various local churches in New Orleans, but her deepest walk with God was when she was invited to attend a service at Divine Grace Temple under the leadership of the late Bishop Jimmie Martin, Apostle Alice Martin and Pastor Harvey Smith.
Her gift of worship through singing and bringing God’s people into the presence of God through worship was immediately recognized. During the 30 years that she served at Divine Grace Temple, she wore many hats. Her many hats included various leadership roles including: Minister of Music, Church Board Member, Leadership of Women of Example, Church Assistant Administrator, Sound Technician, Event Coordinator, Intercessor Prayer Warrior, and Bible Study Teacher. She was sent to numerous trainings and in-services during those 30 years. Apostle Alice Martin placed then, Minister Brooks, under her, as Elijah did with Elisha and as Apostle Paul did with mentoring Timothy. Before Apostle Martin transitioned in March 2019, she prayed the pastoral mantle onto Minister Carline. Pastor Dr. Carline will tell everyone that she was not ready and that she ran from her calling, like most. However, God spoke directly to her, delivering the mandate at 3:00am on April 7, 2020 to cease running. It was then that Amazing Grace Church of Deliverance was birthed from the spiritual realm and into the earth realm. On May 11, 2024, she received her Doctor of Philosophy and Theology (Divinity) degree from Ambassador Christian University.
God blessed her to be married to the late Minister Keith Brooks Sr., who was her partner spiritually and was supportive in their joint calling to “seek those who are lost and to lead God’s people” for 8 years. She is the mother of seven children and a countless number of spiritual offspring. She has 14 grandchildren. Her favorite passage of scripture is Psalm 62:2 (ESV)- “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” and her favorite song is “Gracefully Broken” by Tasha Cobbs.
our pastor:
Co-Pastor Willie C. McRae, Jr. is the eldest of four children born on December 18, 1954 to Willie C. McRae, Sr. and Daisy G. McRae. Brother McRae and his siblings, Beverly, Cynthia, and Stanley, were raised in an atmosphere to reverence and fear the Lord. Willie McRae Sr. was Gaza Baptist Church’s Head Deacon and his mother, Ms. Daisy, was known as Missionary Daisy McRae. Living a life dedicated to God was the norm in the home where he was raised. In the McRae household, they practiced, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. Brother McRae was taught at an early age to seek the Lord. He served at Gaza Baptist Church in New Orleans and accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age. A little over 20 years ago, after visiting a church in the lower ninth ward of the City of New Orleans, Bro. McRae was led by the Spirit of God to place his membership there. Divine Grace Temple was a place to experience dynamic worship, teaching and preaching. Bro. McRae met Pastor Carline T. Brooks at Divine Grace Temple. After joining Divine Grace Temple, Bishop Jimmie Martin saw his faithfulness and took him under his wings. He saw his willingness to serve and ordained Bro. McRae as a licensed minister. After Bishop Martin transitioned in 2003, Minister McRae decided to remain and support Apostle Alice Martin in continuing the work that was assigned to her. Apostle Martin continued to see Minister McRae’s faithfulness in the ministry. Over the 20 years there, he was appointed as a Board Member, Worship Team Member, Intercessory Computer Prayer Line Partner and Men of Example Leader. Minister McRae showed his faithfulness in spiritual leadership, but also, in the upkeep of the sanctuary and sound/engineering oversight. After the transition of Apostle Alice Martin in 2019, and now the transition of her son, Pastor Harvey Smith in 2021, still under the unction of the Holy Spirit of the Most High God, Minister McRae has been led to join forces with Pastor Carline Brooks to win souls for Christ at Amazing Grace Church of Deliverance.
Co-Pastor McRae is married to Sis. Donna N. McRae. To this union, God has blessed them with seven children and eight grandchildren. Co-Pastor McRae and Sis. McRae’s prayer is to continue to raise their seeds to have their own personal encounter and relationship with God so that their seeds will walk in this world to the Glory of God. Not only was he taught this in his father and mother’s home, but he also witnessed his parents walk in the walk of faith. His favorite passage of scripture is Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed" and his favorite song is: “I Am The God That Healeth Thee” by Don Moen
our co-pastor:
