About Us

Rev. Dr. Bruce Aaron Beard, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, had worked many years in Corporate America when he received his Call to Ministry. Subsequently he was Licensed and Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the Macedonia Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Beard earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA, and completed coursework in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA.

Prior to his current pastorate, Dr. Beard served as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, VA for 16 years. During his tenure there, Dr. Beard served on several local and state boards and organizations, founded Aaron’s Beard Ministry Group, a ministry established to provide training in several areas from race relations to ministerial and leadership training, and produced a gospel music CD entitled “Now Is Our Time”. Dr. Beard has ministered extensively both nationally and internationally across several countries in Africa and India, and in the Philippines.

In 2008 as led by the Holy Spirit, Dr. Beard along with his wife, soulmate and partner in life and ministry, the Rev. Gardenia Beard (affectionately known as “Pastor Dena”) moved to the Atlanta, GA area to establish Transformation Ministries International of Atlanta (TMI) where he serves as Senior Pastor. In 2018, TMI (the church) changed its name to POWER City Church, but TMI continues to exist as the “Parent” organization under which other churches and entities are covered.

Dr. Beard has also served as Professor of Religion, Humanities, African-American History, U.S. History and Critical Thinking, as well a university Campus Dean at Strayer University in Morrow, GA. Dr. Beard, empowered by one of his favorite scriptures (Philippians 4:13), readily acknowledges that his FIRST CALL is to the gospel ministry as a preacher and teacher of the Word of God!

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Rev. Gardenia Beard, affectionately known as “Pastor Dena”, is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. She earned a B.S. Degree in Computer Science from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, a Master of Divinity Degree from Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt School of Theology in Richmond, VA, and a Master of Science Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. In addition to experience working in Corporate America as well as in Ministry, Pastor Dena is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked in the Mental Health field for several years, including in her current employment with the Veterans Administration (VA).

 

Pastor Dena was Licensed and Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, VA. She is the wife and co-laborer in Ministry of the Rev. Dr. Bruce A. Beard, Senior Pastor of Transformation Ministries International of Atlanta’s POWER City Church where they have served since 2008. During her years in Ministry, Pastor Dena has traveled abroad doing missionary work in Ghana & Liberia in West Africa, Ethiopia in East Africa, and in the Philippines.

 

Pastor Dena has a special place in her heart for Ministry to Women, as well as to the marginalized in society. Pastor Dena’s favorite scriptures include Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6. As she strives

to live according to these scriptures, it is her prayer that the Lord will use her to positively impact, instill hope, minister healing and bring deliverance to whomever the Lord brings across her path!