MEET PASTOR & SISTER DRAPER

Pastor Rander E. Draper, Sr. was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the oldest of six
children. His great love and passion for music led to his pursuit of advanced studies in the
discipline at Texas Southern University, where he was blessed to travel and showcase his
booming baritone voice, both domestically and internationally, as a member of the concert choir
and opera workshop. Although he initially pursued a career in education in Houston, Pastor
Draper sensed the call of God to preach the Gospel and received his Graduate Diploma from
Dallas Bible College and Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Studies from Covington Theological
Seminary in Rosville, Georgia. He was then obedient to the Lord’s call to step out in faith,
leaving his teaching career and relocating his family to San Antonio, where he pastored his first
church.

Led by the Spirit of God to plant a Bible-teaching church in Northeast San Antonio,
Pastor Draper once again trusted God, stepped out in faith, and founded Maranatha Bible
Church in 1988, where he has served as Senior Pastor for the past 31 years. His vibrant radio
ministry reaches the masses with the Gospel across the nation and abroad. He is extremely
grateful that God has allowed him and Darlene, his bride of 41 years, to work side-by-side,
preaching and teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ both at Maranatha and as they travel
extensively throughout the world.

Darlene Draper is a native of San Antonio, Texas and has been married to Pastor Rander
E. Draper, Sr. for over 41 years. She has served in ministry for over 45 years, 35 of them
working alongside her husband with whom she co-founded Maranatha Bible Church in 1988.
She has traveled extensively throughout the country and across the globe, sharing the Good
News of Jesus Christ and leading conferences for pastors’ wives around the world. She
received her Bachelor of Studies degree from Oasis University, Trinidad, and a Master of
Family Life Education degree from Oxford Graduate School.

As Maranatha’s Director of Ministries, Darlene has organized multiple church ministries
and serves as advisor to many of them. She also gives leadership to the Missions Ministry and
leads the Women’s Ministry by promoting and enhancing their spiritual growth through Bible
study and special events.

Darlene’s favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in
us.” She believes God has showered His abundant blessings upon Maranatha because she
stands firmly on the four foundational pillars of the church: The Word of God, Prayer,
Missions/Evangelism, and Worship/Fellowship.