Our Provenance
Servitude
Pastor Rodger E. Gardner received Jesus Christ in 1993 and was called by God into the ministry in 1994. He has served faithfully throughout the years in the areas of Sunday School Teacher, Pastoral Council Chairman, Young Men of Valor President, New Member Coordinator, Church Deacon, Trustee Board Member, Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor. He has served as Treasurer on the district level and currently serves on the Jurisdictional Executive Board as Administrative Assistant, as well as the Jurisdictional Treasurer.
​
Lady Sheila has a true servant’s heart, leading with humility and compassion. She is the founder of the “I’m Worth It” nonprofit organization, based on mentoring young women to know their true value and worth. She has held a missionary license since 2006. She has served diligently in the areas of Sunshine Band President, Vacation Bible School Director, Jurisdictional Executive Board Member, Jurisdictional Inaugural Ticket Sales Director, Jurisdictional Liturgical Dance Director, YPWW Southwest Regional Rally Workshop Coordinator, Jurisdictional YWE President, Jurisdictional YPWW Chairlady. Also, she was named the first female Jurisdictional YPWW President and currently serves as the YWCC Jurisdictional President, while overseeing all programs offered by the Portals To Glory Women’s Ministry and Youth Department in excellence.
The Divine Journey
Pastor Gardner founded Life Changers Worship Center (LCWC) in March 2011, with a love for God, a passion for humanity and The Word of God.
​
After launching the church, it did not take long to witness God’s approval on the ministry. Pastor and First Lady Gardner hosted Bible Study in their home with approximately 20 dedicated family members and friends for two months. He began to search for a place to worship. He settled on what he thought would be their first place of worship in the cafeteria area at Rancho High School. But, within 24 hours of that decision, they were made aware that the Berean Christian Fellowship, located at 3925 Martin Luther King Blvd., North Las Vegas 89032, was available to co-share, so this became their first place of worship. The Berean Church leadership decided to relocate to another state during LCWC’s short stay of just over a year. That allowed LCWC an opportunity to purchase over $100,000 of practically new church furniture and equipment for only $3,800! LCWC experienced significant growth in membership while there, but again found themselves searching for another place to worship. How God would take them to their next location was just short of being miraculous. The new location virtually provided the same amenities that were enjoyed while at Berean Church for only $275 monthly, which included utilities. They would be there for less than a year, but God financially blessed the ministry while they were there.
The Training Ground
LCWC relocated to 2550 Duneville St., Las Vegas 89146; a place that was cherished and called home for the next eight years. This location would become the training ground. God would establish the ministry through those eight years. Ministries were launched there to bless the city, such as the, I’m Worth It Girl’s Conference, the annual Harvest Prayer Breakfast and The Kingdom Living radio broadcast, just to name a few. Pastor and First Lady Gardner would become leaders in their district and jurisdiction where they served. There is where God would train, test, develop and prove.
Full Circle
God placed a yearning in the heart of Pastor Gardner, which he shared with the congregation on numerous occasions towards the latter years at LCWC. He shared with them that he believed God was going to relocate them back to the Westside. It happened! On July 18, 2021, Pastor Gardner was installed as Senior Pastor of Portals to Glory Church of God in Christ. The two ministries became one. Not only did God bring Pastor Gardner and the LCWC family full-circle back to the very same zip code (89032), where the first worship service was held in 2011 at Berean Christian Fellowship. But God also brought Pastor Gardner back home to the same neighborhood where he grew up. Who could have imagined this ten years ago?
Our Children
Pastor and First Lady Sheila have been married for 20 years. Together they have three children, who assist them diligently in the ministry, Jamaal Gardner, Eryka Gardner and Naramin Holloway.