Cross of Life Lutheran Church
Plainfield, New Jersey 07062
9087556788

• Education: NEW BRUNSWICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY (Master of Divinity Degree - Summa Cum Laude) PACE UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (Postgraduate studies in International Business) SETON HALL UNIVERSITY, SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY (Bachelor of Science)
• Experience: Born in Haines City, Florida, this ambassador of Christ gave his life to the Lord in May 1988. Since then, God has allowed him to serve in the offices of deacon, choir director, and trustee at the First Baptist Church in Jersey City under the leadership of Reverend Glenmore Bembry. In July of 1992, he joined the Fountain Baptist Church where he was licensed to preach the gospel on August 7, 1994. Under the pastorate of Reverend Jerry M. Sanders, Reverend Torrence served as an Associate Minister to the Pastor in the areas of youth and music ministry. He has served as Co-Chairperson on the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey Urban Ministry Committee where he helped to empower, collaborate, and transform urban communities. Currently, he is pastoring the congregation of the Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Plainfield, NJ. Since his tenure there he has revitalized the worship and evangelism experience for the African American family. In conjunction with his ecclesiastical experience, Reverend Torrence has worked as a Grant Writer and Budget Analyst for several nonprofit organizations. Currently, he is fulfilling the role of National Director of Administrative Services for Lincoln Educational Services, Incorporated. As a graduate of Seton Hall University, he holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and he has studied at Pace University in the field of International Business. In June of 1997 he graduated Summa Cum Laude from New Brunswick Theological Seminary receiving a Masters of Divinity in Urban Ministry. His other accomplishments include an honorary citation from the Hudson County Executive Office, the Steinman Scholarship in Homiletics, and the NJASFAA Scholarship Award in Religion. God has also allowed him to tour with the Seton Hall Community Chorus to perform for Pope John at the Vatican in Rome and to pilgrimage with Dr. Wyatt T. Walker to the Holy Land and Egypt. Yet, in spite all these endeavors, Reverend Torrence’s work is not done. "Can a Baptist minister lead a Lutheran congregation?" The answer is clearly, "Yes!" God has clearly given him a passion for urban ministry and a vision for the community of Cross of Life Lutheran Church. His motto is, "There are no small churches only churches with small minded people. God had anointed us to do great things."
• Sermon or series that made a difference: William A. Jones’ sermon on Naaman the leper entitled "The But Conjunction"
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Study, Study, and Study
• Books that have had an impact: "The Pedagogy of the Oppressed" by P. Freire and "Race Matters" by Cornel West