Member Bio's

Rev. Laramie Long

Rev. Laramie Long is formerly a member of the legendary Five Gospel Singers of Greensboro, Alabama and the father of two wonderful boys, Laramie Long Jr. and Jordan Long.  Laramie was born and raised in Greensboro, Alabama. During his youth, he was brought up to serve God. At a very young age, Laramie began his Christian walk at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He was under the leadership of Pastor Willie L. Sullivan. Laramie started out as a member of the crusaders, usher board, and the choir. As Laramie got older, he accepted his calling into the ministry in December of 1998. Laramie preached his first sermon on January 31, 1999 at Pleasant Grove Baptist under the leadership of Pastor Calvin Johnson. Rev. Long always had a passion for singing gospel music. He came up singing with his big brother Michael Long. It was just something about singing that gave Rev. Long a sense of peace.

         Just like his big brother, Rev. Long joined the Army in August of 2001. In February of 2003, Rev. Long and his brother were deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. This is when Rev. Long life began to change. During his tour of duty, everyone would always ask Rev. Long to pray for them, but they never realized that Rev. Long needed prayer also. People thought because Laramie was a preacher, everything was ok with him. Laramie began to become depressed because he had no one to relate to on a religious level. Praising God wasn’t a big deal to many and Laramie didn’t know how to handle that. Times got so hard until Laramie couldn’t pray. God placed songs on Laramie’s heart to build his strength and his faith. These songs were truly a blessing to Laramie and to those around him.

 After returning home in 2004, Laramie founded a gospel group (Divine Truth). Divine Truth is a group that is truly heaven sent. Laramie is currently employed with the Alabama Department of Corrections, the Associate Minister of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Calvin Johnson, and he still sings with the Five Gospel Singers of Greensboro from time to time.

My goal is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through music, song, and the word of God. I want to send a message to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in support of Operation Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom  “He’ll Make A Way”. I also want to reach the soldiers that made it back home. So many soldiers came back home with emotional and mental problems that have broken up so many families. I want them to know they are not alone and there is Peace in Serving a Truly and Living God.

Patricia Hopkins

          First, giving honor and thanks to God, who has made everything possible. I want to take time to say just a little bit about myself. I am a member of the Eagle Grove Baptist Church in Marion, AL.  I am a resident of Selma, AL.  My parents are Jeanette and Richard Hopkins, both whom currently resides in Marion, AL.  I am the second of four children; an older sister, Nakia, and two younger brothers, Michael and Reginald. I have three children of my own, Kuandrekia (9), Chermanika (7), and Walter (5). 

          I love to sing. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember.  I sang in the church choir, the school choir, and the high school jazz band. Up until last year, I sang with a female gospel group called the Eagle Grove Angelics of Marion, AL. I later joined Divine Truth.  I must say that I have truly grown spiritually since I’ve united with Divine Truth. Everyday, I make it my business to give someone words of encouragement. I’ve been through many trials and hardships in my life, and I know how it is to feel lost and alone. I found comfort in knowing and believing that God is my salvation. He is my everything.  And with God as the head of my life, all things are possible. Singing with Divine Truth gives me the opportunity to tell people of God’s goodness and mercy.  I have a chance to let the whole world know that God is a loving and forgiving God.  And if you would just open up your heart to receive Him, He will step in and turn you life completely around.  I count it a blessing to bless others with songs of praise and worship. And Divine Truth is all about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever we go.

Kim Sample

I am Kimberly Michelle Hill – Sample of Greensboro, Alabama.  Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!  I am the daughter of Annie G. Hill and Michael Hill, the sister of Alicia Hill, the wife of Percy Sample, and the mother of Zakiya and Mykayla Sample. I received my B.S. in Elementary Education from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where I was blessed with a full vocal performance scholarship, which gave me the opportunity to travel around the country singing various repertoires. I currently am a first grade teacher at Greensboro East Elementary School in Greensboro, Alabama.  I am a member of Salem Baptist Church in Greensboro, Alabama where Rev. Matthew Wilson is my pastor.

God has given me many talents.  Singing is one that I cherish the most.  I have always been told to use what the Lord has given you; you never know whom you may help.  I started singing at a young age in church at the Cumming Street Baptist Church Children’s choir in Memphis, Tennessee.   When I was four years old I had my first little solo.  Every since then I have been singing.  When we moved to Greensboro, my singing really took off.  I sang in a high school group called New Beginnings and with my church choir.  I also have been singing on my own, doing solos for weddings and various other programs but I have always sung in my home church choir. (Salem Baptist Church, Greensboro, Alabama)   

In November of two – thousand five, I was asked to join Divine Truth which has really been exciting and comforting ever since.  I love all of my fellow group members and I have enjoyed singing and all the accomplishments made thus far.  There is nowhere left to go but to the top.  Our lives will bring many challenges, however, with God’s help; I know we will conquer anything placed before us.  This mission has given me the opportunity to spread the good news of Jesus to others.  Divine Truth is a ministry.  As soldiers for God, our aim is to lift him up by way of praise, testimony, and in our every day walks of life.  Though we have a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do, God has many more blessings waiting for us all. 

Angelia King

Marcus Powell