Andra Allen Standberry was born Andra Annetta "Netta" Allen in McComb, MS 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 was an honors graduate from McComb High School, McComb, MS, 1980. She attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS for several semesters but later withdrew. Andra married in 1983, but divorced three years later.
Andra moved to Maryland in October 1989. She returned to college, and graduated June 1994 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.
From September 1995 to December 1997, Andra attended Bowie State University in Bowie, MD where she earned credits towards a master's degree in guidance & counseling. She has worked in both the public and private sector throughout the Washington, DC area and suburban Maryland. Her professional background is in healthcare office administration and in grants management administration. Andra 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, filled with the Holy Spirit, October 1995. Her life was radically changed and she immediately became a committed woman of God. She remarried her former husband February 1999.
At Andra 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. After 5 years, Andra was led to leave her former church, June 2000.
September 2000, God thrust Andra into leading a weekly Bible Study Group on her job. She taught that Bible Study until June 2002. 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 the State of MD. She was licensed to pastor in November 2002 through World Christianship Ministries where she continues biblical studies. Pastor Andra spiritual advisors are Pastor Roscoe and Rev. Revita DeChalus, founders of Lord of Hope Ministries, International, Streamwood, IL.
Through small steps to fulfill the call of God, Pastor Andra has used this ministry to address the real issues in the lives of others, spiritually and naturally. Among Pastor Andra 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, to help others become better parents, and to help others learn to manage their finances better.
Pastor Andra 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. [NLT].
Pastor Andra self-published her first book, Control Unmasked, released January 2008, available through all major on-line distributors and 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 women struggling with control. Pastor Andra says that she is just a voice for the many women who struggle in silence trying to break free from the spirit of control. Pastor Andra is back to writing her next book.
Pastor Andra continues to live a genuine life of ministry. She is married, the mother of three, and currently resides in Austin, Texas.
Pastor Andra can be contacted at pastor@wlfm-inc.org. She would love to hear from you!
