Dr. Sharon Francis is a native of Rochester, New York where, at the age of three she began playing the piano and singing in her grandfather's church. In 1977, while away in college, she was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost in New Haven, CT during a revival led by then, Elder Howard Tillman. In 1980, she moved to Columbus, OH to join Elder Tillman as he launched The End-Time Revival Evangelistic Crusade, better known as TETREC.
In 1983, Sharon became a member of Living Faith Apostolic Church, where she still serves as Minister of Music and Corporate Secretary. She is the wife of Minister Darrell Francis, and the mother of son, Alex (both also talented musicians in their own right); and goddaughters, Danae and Dana Parkman; and grandmother of 5.
In 1994, Sharon graduated with honors from Grace Apostolic College receiving her Master of Christian Education and Doctor of Music degrees. She has conducted music workshops around the country, and recorded several albums with the Living Faith Mass Choir, The TETREC Choir, the IPYPU Mass Choir, as well as her first solo recording, entitled, "The Message."
In July of 2023, her most recent recording was released, entitled, “Rehearsal for Glory.” The album, produced by Antuan Walker, features original songs Sharon has written or arranged, including: “Breakthrough,” “What God Said,” and her signature song, “Glory, Hallelujah!” Her outstanding background vocalists include: nephew and recording artist, Schuyler Johnson; Eugenia “Bootsie” Newman; Toya Mathis; Benjamin Harriel; Victoria Mathis; Maria Walker; Kevin Lee; and Marquita Lyles. The album also features a group of talented musicians, including Antuan Walker (keys/drums), Nick Green (piano), Garren Smith (drums), Daren Bell (bass), Ray Napier and Toine Porter (lead guitar), and Vincent Ciesielski (horns). “Rehearsal for Glory” is available on all major platforms, including Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Professionally, Sharon served since 1993 as the director of MiraCit Development Corporation, the community development arm of Living Faith. Her community activities have included membership on several boards, including the Columbus and Franklin County Housing Advisory Board, and the FCI, Too Early Learning Academy. Currently, she is employed by the Columbus Urban League as Program Navigator/Business Advisor for the Accelerate HER program.
Organizationally, Sharon has served the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and the Ohio District Council as an organist, pianist, director, and publications specialist, including 20 years as editor of the Ohio District Council/er and editor of the International Missions Newsletter.
Over the years, she and Minister Francis actively participated in Living Faith’s broadcast and international missions ministry, under the leadership of Bishop Edgar Posey, traveling to many countries around the world. Indeed, they have been privileged to witness the power of God’s presence firsthand with many souls being saved. Each Sunday, they both continue to share in music ministry with the Living Faith Praise Team as services are broadcast globally through radio and live stream on Facebook Live, YouTube, and MyVideoMinistry.com. To God be the glory!
“That I may know Him in the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” – Philippians 3:10