Brandon McCrae

Assistant Musical Director/Accompanist

Unleashed upon the world on March 18, 1986, Dr. 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. During Sunday morning services at the Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. McCrae gained his bearings behind an old Ludwig Vistalite kit. Gleaning an excellent knowledge of improvisation, format, and overall musicianship, he would later be elected to attend Georgia’s Governors Honors program. His life would be indelibly altered here by meeting Professor Leon Anderson.  

Dr. McCrae would go on to receive a full scholarship and graduate from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music. Shortly after graduation, he returned to Valdosta to diversify his educational portfolio with a teaching assistantship and Master of Music Performance degree in classical percussion from Valdosta State University. Music has afforded Dr. McCrae the opportunity to share the stage with an array of artists from jazz icons the likes of Marcus Roberts, soul music superstar, and 13- time Grammy nominee Musiq Soulchild, to Gospel Music revolutionary 3-time Grammy award and 10-time Stellar award-winning Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Most recently, Dr. McCrae has traveled the length and breadth of this country and abroad as the “talented timekeeper’ for the 2-time Grammy, 2-time Oscar-winning timeless balladeer, Mr. Peabo Bryson.  

On the sacred educational front, Dr. McCrae has garnered his Master of Arts in Expository Preaching with an emphasis on Apologetics and Christian Philosophy at Trinity Theological Seminary (Newburgh, IN). Dr. McCrae completed his 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.” In the true vein of achievement, Dr. McCrae was afforded the great privilege of pledging Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated (Valdosta Alumni Chapter) in March 2010.  

On October 8, 2017, Dr. McCrae was ordained as an Elder and Priest in the Lord’s Church at the hands of his Father, Bishop Wade Starling McCrae, his spiritual father, Bishop Brian Keith Hodges, and a host of visiting prelates, priests, and parishioners. After his prelatial appointment in January of 2018, on October 28, 2018, assisted by his father, Bishop Todd M. Hall installed Dr. McCrae to the lower house of the prelature. As a skilled student of protocol, polity, and an up incoming churchman, Dr. McCrae diligently serves on the executive councils of the Rhema Word Covenant Fellowship of Pastors, headed by his father, Bishop Wade S. McCrae, and Christ International Fellowship, led by Bishop David M. Maldonado. 

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, Worship Pastor for the Gathering of Champions International Cathedral 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. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the religious studies department of Beulah Heights University. Leading with passion and prowess, his goal is to shape the mind of every student through a Christocentric lens. Dr. McCrae is the son of Elder Diann V. Riley (Pastor Troy), Bishop Wade S. McCrae (Dr. LaConya), Eldest brother of Brittany Nicole (Tessler), Tyler James, and Immanuel Jamal. Brandon is VERY happily married to the beautiful and brilliant Dr. Erica Breann (Dr. E.) and the proud father of Benjamin Isaac, Ethan Blake, and Timothy Braxton Wade. They are his life’s joy! Brandon’s life is a testament to his motto, “Your Potential is simply your untapped Reality!”