Dr. Brandon McCrae

Unleashed upon the world on March 18, 1986, Brandon Isaac McCrae is hailed as one of today’s most prolific young ministry and musical forces. Coming of age in rural southern Georgia, music became his outlet and passion while he discovered his purpose within the context of ministry.

Dr. Brandon Isaac McCrae is the son of Elder Diann V. Riley (Pastor Troy), Bishop Wade S. McCrae (Dr. LaConya), and Eldest brother of Brittany Nicole (Tessler), Tyler James, and Immanuel Jamal. Brandon is VERY happily married to the beautiful and brilliant Dr. Erica Breann and the proud father of Benjamin Isaac, Ethan Blake, and Timothy Braxton Wade. They are his life’s joy! Brandon’s life is truly a testament to his motto, “Your Potential is simply your untapped Reality!”
Brandon gained his bearings behind an old Ludwig Vistalite kit during Sunday morning services at then Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church. Gleaning a great knowledge of improvisation, format, and overall musicianship, he would later be elected to attend Georgia’s Governor’s Honors program. It was here that his life would be indelibly altered by meeting Professor Leon Anderson. Brandon would go on to receive a full scholarship and graduate from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Art degree in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music. Shortly after graduation, he returned to Valdosta to diversify his educational portfolio with a teaching assistantship and a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Valdosta State University.
Music has afforded Brandon the opportunity to share the stage with an array of artists, from Jazz icons such as Marcus Roberts, soul music superstar and 12-time Grammy nominee Musiq Soulchild, to Gospel Music revolutionary 3-time Grammy award and 10-time Stellar award-winning Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Most recently, Brandon has traveled the length and breadth of this country and abroad with the 2-time Grammy, 2-time Oscar-winning timeless balladeer, Mr. Peabo Bryson.
On the sacred educational front, Brandon has garnered his Master of Arts degree in Expository Preaching with an emphasis on Christian Apologetics and Philosophy at Trinity Theological Seminary. (Newburgh, IN). Brandon completed his first doctoral work in February 2020, earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from South University’s College of Theology (Savannah, GA). His dissertation was entitled “Through a Tinted Lens: A Series of Seminars Addressing the Influence of Africa on Church History.” Currently, Dr. McCrae is pursuing his Doctorate in Philosophy with a concentration in Leadership at the Evangelical Seminary of Kairos University.
In the true vein of achievement, Brandon was afforded the great privilege of pledging Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated (Valdosta Alumni Chapter) in March 2010.
While musically talented, Dr. McCrae is also gifted in education and administration. He currently serves as the Overseer of Music and Fine Arts for the Christ International Fellowship and Musical Director for several other entities, locally and nationally.
Within academia, Dr. McCrae serves as the Vice-President and Academic Dean for Christ Institute of Theology (CIT) in Orlando, Florida. Renowned for his expertise in leadership, adjutancy, episcopacy, and worship, he travels extensively to teach, train, and equip believers for effective service in advancing the work of the Kingdom. Leading with passion and prowess, his goal is to shape the mind of every student through a Christocentric lens.

Ministry Experience

Ministerial License (Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship) August 2014
Ordination to Priesthood/Elder (Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship) October 2017
Appointed as the Adjutant General (Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship) October 2017
Appointed Associate Pastor {Worship & Arts} (Gathering of Champions Church) January 2018
Appointed as an Overseer (Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship) January 2018
Appointed as District Overseer of District #4 (Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship) October 2023
Appointed as the Overseer of Music & Fine Arts (Christ International Fellowship) October 2023
Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship, Valdosta, GA - Bishop Wade S. McCrae, Presiding Prelate
Christ International Fellowship, Apopka, FL - Bishop David M. Maldonado, Th.D., Presiding Prelate
Adjutancy/Protocol
African Christianity
Episcopacy (Designation/Formation/Consultation)
Cathedral/Ordination Preparation
Church History
Leadership
Music Ministry/Worship Leadership
Pastoral Theology/Leadership
Conference Planning/Facilitation

Musik Experience

Bishop Jason Nelson, Bishop Bruce Parham, Bishop Wade S. McCrae, Bishop Larry D. Trotter, Bishop Lamar Simmons & Spirit and Truth, Bishop Eddie L. Long, Apostle Sharde Martin, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, BeBe Winans, Dr. Juanita Bynum-Weeks, Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr., Pastor Reginald Sharpe, Pastor DeWayne Harvey, Pastor Candy West, Todd Galberth, Travis Malloy, Kim Burrell, Jonathan Nelson, Darrel Walls, The Walls Group, Dorothy Norwood, Melvin Williams (Williams Brothers), Patrick Lundy and the Ministers Of Music, Beverly Crawford, Micah Stampley, Lashun Pace, Duranice Pace, Latrice Pace, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Judith McAllister, Maranda Curtis, Psalmist Raine, Geoffrey Golden, Benita Washington, Gerald & Tammi Haddon, Leon Timbo, Jonathan Dunn, Sha’ Simpson, Sherri Jones-Moffet, Tiffany Boone, Kathy Taylor, Gary Swindell, Darius Paulk, Minon Sarten, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole, Alexis Spight, Josiah “JoJo” Martin, Zebulon Ellis, Bernard Williams, Kelli Lewis, Enrique Holmes, Greg Kirkland, Marica Chisolm, Y’Anna Crawley, Min. Antwaun Cooks, Dr. Emorja Roberson, Janae Jones, Lawrence Flowers and Intercession, Georgia Mass Choir, and Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling.
The Georgia Horns, Vincent Gardner, Marcus Printup, Chris Crenshaw (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Marcus Roberts (Jazz Piano Legend), Scotty Barnhart (Director, Count Basie Orchestra), Haley Reinhart (American Idol/Post Modern Jukebox), Adrian Crutchfield (Saxophonist for Prince & Lionel Richie), Dayve Stewart (Saxophonist for Rev. Al Green & The Ray Charles Orchestra), Jamison Ross (Snarky Puppy), Kim Waters, Larry Wilson, Kimberlye’ McKinney, Ryan Kilgore (Stevie Wonder), Kelley O’Neal, Tracy Hamlin, Jordan Love, and Dr. Joel C. Johnson.
Algebra Blessett, Avery Sunshine, Musiq Soulchild, Anthony David, Christina Millian, Case, Da Brat, CeeLo Green, Lil Mo, Sevyn Streeter, R. Kelly, Lyfe Jennings, Regina Belle, Zapp, Angie Stone, Mink Slide, Swiss Beats, The APX (Funk Duo), Ken Ford, “The Runners,” Kameron Corvet, Will Gittens, Sterling Gittens, Syesha Mercado (American Idol Runner Up), Dear Callie, Dondria Nicole, and Ricco Barrino. Most recently, Dr. B. has traveled nationally and internationally with RnB icon and soul balladeer Mr. Peabo Bryson.
Bishop Wade S. McCrae 2000-Present (Cross Country)
Bishop Brian Keith Hodges July 2013-November 2024 (Cross Country)
Mr. Peabo Bryson July 2022 – May 2024
Bishop L. Spenser Smith “Unstoppable” CD Release Tour 2015
Musiq Soulchild, “Musiq in the Magiq” Tour Summer 2011
Big Daddy And Red Hot Java 2007 (International Tour)
Florida State Jazz Ensemble I 2006
The Chapter (formally The Phat Cat Players) 2005-2007
Governor’s Honors Program 2005
Double Up (R. Kelly)
Port of Miami (Rick Ross)
Prayers From The Vault III (Apostle Sharde Martin)
The Sound of Bootcamp Vol. 4 (Apostle Jonathan Ferguson)
Major In Ministry Minor in Music (Lawrence Flowers & Intercession)
Champion (Lawrence Flowers and Intercession)
Close (Marvin Sapp)
The Maranda Experience Vol. I (Maranda Curtis)
Open Heaven: The Maranda Experience Live (Maranda Curtis)
The Georgia Horns: Live at Dizzy’s Club (GA Horns)
Cassidy’s Sky (The Saint Francis Band)
See The Possibility (Bishop Henry Porter)
Purposed By God (Charles Taylor & United in Purpose)
Church Choirs Rock Live (Pastor Lamar Simmons & LFCCC)
On My Way (Naarai Michele)
The City: Vol. I (Impact Studios)
Discover Jesus (Kourtney Shelly)
You Did This (Hannah Gold)
Lets Ride (Jordan Love)
Sunset (Jordan Love)
Funk Around (Ant Bussey)
It’s Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas (Sheena Evans)
Your Touch (The APX Ft. Mink Slide)
F.Y.G. (The APX Ft. Zapp)
Deja Vu’ (The APX)
Magnetic (The APX)
Wake Me (The APX)
Jclef Basses: https://www.jclefbasses.com/
Empire Ears: https://empireears.com/
Sabian Cymbals: https://sabian.com/