Andra Allen Standberry was born Andra Annetta "Netta" Allen in McComb, Mississippi to Mary L. Gooden and the late Louis Samuel Allen.  Andra is the only child born to her mother, Mary.  Andra lived with her grandparents, the late James Gooden, Sr. and Oletha Gooden, until about age 12.  During those 12 years, Andra was taught about Jesus, raised in the Baptist faith, received weekly home Bible study and attended church regularly. 
 
Andra accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior as a pregnant teen.  She gave birth to that first child, a daughter, at age 15.  Andra graduated on time and with honors at McComb High School, the Class of 1980.  She attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi for several semesters.  Andra married in 1983, divorced three years later, and gave birth to her second child, a son, at age 25.
 
Andra moved to Maryland in October 1989.  She returned to college, and in June 1994, Andra graduated from Strayer College (now Strayer University) in Washington, DC, magna cum laude, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.  Andra was also inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society and was named in the Who's Who Among American Colleges & Universities, all 1994.  Andra calls this 'delayed gratification.'
 
From September 1995 to December 1997, Andra attended Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland where she earned credits towards a master's degree in guidance & counseling.  Andra has worked in both the public and private sector throughout the Washington, DC area and suburban Maryland.  Andra's background is in healthcare office administration and in grants management administration.  She has also engaged in public presentations as well as church presentations on topics such as HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy.
 
Andra rededicated her life to Jesus Christ where she was baptized in the Holy Spirit, October 1995.  Andra's life was radically changed and she immediately became a committed woman of God.  Andra remarried her former husband in February 1999 and later gave birth to her third child, a daughter, at age 37.
 
At Andra's former church, she was a youth columnist and she later became the Editor-in-Chief of the church newsletter with a 400-500 monthly distribution.  She served as a member of the youth planning committee.  She was a faithful giver, server and committed member.  Andra was led to leave her former church around June 2000.
 
In September 2000, God thrust Andra into leading a weekly Bible Study Group on her job.  She taught that Bible Study until June 2002.  In August 2002, Andra accepted the call to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She founded and incorporated Word of Life Fellowship Ministries (WLFM), Inc. in October 2002 as a non-profit organization in Maryland and was licensed to pastor in November 2002 through World Christianship Ministries where she continues biblical studies. 
 
Through small steps to fulfill the call of God, Andra has used this ministry to address the real issues and needs in the lives of others, the whole person, spiritually and naturally.  Among Andra's many passions, she endeavors to encourage people to pursue the call of God on their lives, to study the Word of God, to seek to discover one's gifts and talents, to become better parents, and to manage their finances better. 
 
Andra's motto is "Living a believer's life is a process.  Go through the process."  Philippians 1:[6] says And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. [New Living Translation].

Andra self-published her first book, Control Unmasked, released January 2008 which is available through all major on-line distributors and also at Ginny's gift shop in McComb, MS.  Truly to God be all the glory for compelling Andra to pen and share a 'cutting-edge' topic such as women struggling with control.  Andra says she's just a voice for the many women who struggle in silence trying to break free from the spirit of control.  Andra is back to writing and looks forward to self-publishing her next book in 2010. 

Andra continues to live a genuine life of ministry.  Andra is married, the mother of three, and currently resides in a suburb of Austin, Texas. 
 
Pastor Andra can be contacted at pastor@wlfm-inc.org.  She'd love to hear from you.