Who is PLA?
Pastor Larry Austin is a true Bay Area son! He was born in San Francisco, but raised in Oakland (Elementary School & Middle School) and Richmond (Middle School & High School). He is married to his high school sweetheart, Michelle and is the father to 3 beautiful daughters: Amani, Brandy and Faith. He says being surrounded by 4 beautiful ladies continues to teach him what it means to love the bride of Christ, the Church.
He received a football scholarship to play football at Portland State in 1993-94 and while pursuing a pro football career, God called him to trust and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He truly feels called to the city of Oakland, in which he has worked tirelessly in through various non-profits and service agencies for the past 15 years. He is aware of and driven by the reality that Oakland, while being an amazingly diverse and culturally rich city has also been continually challenged by despair, injustice, confusion and hopelessness. And he says this I why he feels that this is what makes it fertile ground for the Gospel (the Good News) of Jesus Christ. His desire is to see Christ exalt himself in the city of Oakland through the life, love and language of a people who give themselves to bear witness to the beauty of the Gospel for the Peace of the City.
He is currently serving as the Pastor of Elevate Gospel Outreach, which brings the Gospel to the Streetz with outreach events, pop-up concerts, and street ministry. Elevate hosts a weekly Bible Study on Wednesday Nights @ the MRB YMCA on 32nd and Market Street in West Oakland @ 7pm. And Worships on Sundays @ 2410 24th & Telegraph #104, Oakland, CA. --- For more information email PLA @ preachaustin@gmail.com.
He received a football scholarship to play football at Portland State in 1993-94 and while pursuing a pro football career, God called him to trust and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He truly feels called to the city of Oakland, in which he has worked tirelessly in through various non-profits and service agencies for the past 15 years. He is aware of and driven by the reality that Oakland, while being an amazingly diverse and culturally rich city has also been continually challenged by despair, injustice, confusion and hopelessness. And he says this I why he feels that this is what makes it fertile ground for the Gospel (the Good News) of Jesus Christ. His desire is to see Christ exalt himself in the city of Oakland through the life, love and language of a people who give themselves to bear witness to the beauty of the Gospel for the Peace of the City.
He is currently serving as the Pastor of Elevate Gospel Outreach, which brings the Gospel to the Streetz with outreach events, pop-up concerts, and street ministry. Elevate hosts a weekly Bible Study on Wednesday Nights @ the MRB YMCA on 32nd and Market Street in West Oakland @ 7pm. And Worships on Sundays @ 2410 24th & Telegraph #104, Oakland, CA. --- For more information email PLA @ preachaustin@gmail.com.