MEET OUR LEADERS

Robert and Marletta’s lives are living testimonies of God's redemptive power, mercy, and grace. Both came from broken homes and were exposed to church at an early age, yet neither truly understood what it meant to be rooted in Christ until years later—through personal, life-altering encounters with Jesus.

 

Both come from a background of attending Church at an early age; however, Robert did not attend regularly, while Marletta did. Neither one came fully into being rooted and grounded in Christ, only having knowledge of Him through church experiences. Neither of their homes as children was "Christ-centered," yet a seed was planted within each of them. That would later come to fruition through their personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Robert had his encounter. In the summer of 1989, while awaiting trial in a federal court case, United States of America vs. Robert Flowers. During this time, he had a conversation with his Aunt Eleanor over the phone. She began talking about Christ and asked Robert if he would like to pray the prayer of salvation. Robert felt he didn't have anything else to lose, so he prayed the prayer of salvation. From that day, something began to change in his heart. Not fully understanding what happened, he would tell people he would one day be a preacher. Robert was sentenced to be incarcerated for a time. However, during this time, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He received supernatural healing in his body from asthma and preached his first sermon in prison titled, Your Rope of Hope is Almost Broke – You Have to Reach Beyond the Break and Hold On! As he was being disciplined, his walk with Christ grew stronger through learning His word. Upon being released from prison within one year, he was backslidden. He didn't find a church home or a spiritual father to help lead and direct him. God restored Robert's relationship with Him in 1997, and he's been committed since. Marletta's first encounter with God came during a church service she attended just to appease her grandmother. At that time, she was not a believer. She went to Church because her grandmother kept asking and wanted her to stop living a life of sin. But what started as an act of promise turned into a moment of divine clarity. Through an extraordinary experience at the altar, Marletta was awakened to the reality of a God who saw her, knew her, and loved her deeply. Though it took time for her to surrender fully, her life was forever changed.

 

During the offering, the preacher said, “God is speaking to someone to give $100.” Marletta felt warm in her heart and became very nervous as he kept repeating himself, patiently waiting, and she felt like she should give. Marletta did not have any money "that was hers" to give, so she told God, "Let me see if you are real." She went to the car for the money, which was money for a product she sold that she had not turned in to the company yet, and only God knew that. She took the money to the altar, and the preacher said, "God said keep that money and reach into the bucket, and whatever you pull out, you could keep!" The preacher laid hands on her, and she began to shake and cry uncontrollably. That day, she knew, without a doubt, that the God she had heard about all those years was REAL. Although she had a personal encounter that day, it was a year and a half later before she would ask God for forgiveness of her sins and yield her life to Him.

 

Together, Robert and Marletta have walked through darkness—and emerged not just as survivors, but as empowered vessels of God’s light. Both of their lives were marked by addiction, substance abuse, divorce and loss of a spouse, violence, promiscuity, rape, incarceration, and broken relationships. They understand the pain of brokenness and the power of restoration.

 

Yet, through it all, the love of the Father rescued, healed, and restored them. Their mission is now clear: to reach those still living in the shadows of pain, hopelessness, and dysfunction, and lead them into the same freedom and restoration they found in Jesus Christ.

 

That’s why Heights Empowerment Center exists: to reach those who feel lost, trapped, and unworthy—and help them rise into their God-given identity through faith, love, and healing.