Apostle Dr. Robert A. Vandross is a passionate preacher, devoted teacher, and seasoned servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been faithfully married for over 39 years to his beloved partner in life and ministry, First Lady Dr. Priscilla Glenn-Vandross. Together, they have built a strong, Christ-centered family, blessed with four children—the late Minister Dion L. Glenn-Vandross, Elder Brittany Vandross Harriot (DeQuante), Jessica Elmore (Akeem), and D’ona Vandross—and twelve treasured grandchildren.

​

Early Life and Call to Ministry

​

Born in Cordesville, South Carolina, Apostle Vandross was one of seven children raised by the late Thomas and Virgie Vandross. His spiritual foundation was formed early in life through the church and community. After graduating from Berkeley High School, he attended Charleston Southern University, where he began studying Legal Studies before answering the call to ministry and transitioning to Biblical Studies. At 23, he accepted Christ and was called into prophetic ministry, a journey that began with his first sermon, 

“God Can Use You” (Isaiah 6).

​

Ministerial Formation and Leadership

​

His early ministry began at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Cordesville, where he served in multiple roles, including Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, and Church Clerk. He received formal training at Nichols Theological Seminary of the A.M.E. Church and was mentored by respected leaders such as Rev. Nathaniel Thompson, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr., and Bishop Frederick Calhoun James. Ordained in 1980, Apostle Vandross went on to become an Itinerate Deacon in 1985 and Itinerate Elder in 1989. He preached his first revival the year after his ordination—an event that would profoundly impact the woman who would become his wife.

​

Apostolic Ministry and Vision

​

From 1990 to 2001, he served as Senior Pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church in Summerville, SC, where he led with vision, spiritual authority, and a heart for outreach—including prison ministry and international missions in Japan and Africa. Known as a “pastor to pastors,” he has mentored many in their ministerial callings, fostering unity and spiritual excellence. In 2002, he founded Word in Life Christian Fellowship Church, now Word in Life Outreach Ministries, headquartered in Summerville. In 2006, he was consecrated as an Apostle, and later earned his Doctorate in Religionfrom The Ramah Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. His apostolic assignment expanded with the founding of Southeastern Apostolic Church International, a fellowship offering covering and guidance to pastors and ministers. In 2015, he launched a second church campus, Word in Life Georgia, located in Atlanta. Beyond ministry, Apostle Vandross serves his community through civic engagement, including his role as a Board Trustee for Berkeley Electric Cooperative. He is widely recognized for his unwavering commitment to holy living, biblical truth, and leadership that uplifts both the church and the broader community.

​

A Life Committed to the Gospel

​

Today, Apostle Dr. Robert A. Vandross continues to preach with prophetic boldness, teach with clarity, and serve with humility—dedicated to transforming lives and building God’s Kingdom for generations to come.