Bishop Banks Bio

Bishop Dr. Don G. Banks                                      

Bishop Don Gene Banks Sr. is the son of the late Fred and Luvenia Banks. He came to know the Lord at a very young age, while a member at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in West Monroe, Louisiana, under the leadership of the late Reverend P.J. Jasper.    As a  teenager he re-dedicated his life to the Lord and was baptized in the Holy Ghost at Empire Church of Deliverance of Monroe, Louisiana;  pastored by the late Bishop Jim D. Moore Jr.   It was there he accepted the call to ministry and was licensed to preach in September 1984.  

He served as Youth Minister until his enlistment in the United States Army in June of 1985.    Shortly, thereafter, he married the former Sharlaski Patrice Moore.  Pastor Banks served in the United States Army and the Louisiana National Guard for 14 years.   During his time in the military he was awarded several ministry commendations and served in various positions; while serving in the Church of God in Christ.                                 

In 1994 he returned to Monroe, Louisiana, served as Assistant Pastor at Empire Church of Deliverance until February 1997.   He then pursued his ministry passion and founded The Greater Realness Church. Soon thereafter, he was ordained by the Louisiana District Assemblies of God.  He attended Omega Bible Seminary and earned his Bachelor of Biblical Studies, Masters of Ministry and Doctorate of Ministry degrees.   Dr. Banks is also a certified Master Chaplain in both Police and Hospice Chaplaincy.   He was later consecrated Bishop by the United Fellowship of Christian Churches & Ministries.  He serves on the Episcopal Board of Bishops, the Southwest Jurisdictional Bishop and Assistant Dean of The College of Bishops. During November of 2017 - November 2018; Bishop Banks and the Greater Realness family completed their building plans of a new facility and rededicated the ministry; which now is formally named The Greater Realness Cathedral.