HOW IT ALL STARTED...
In 1992, Pastor Mike Patterson moved his family from Virginia, back to Louisiana to take over Word of Life Christian Center, which he would later rename Grace Harbor Family Church. From the very beginning, God ignited a vision in Pastor Mike’s heart to reach beyond the walls of the church and into the world. He was known as a charismatic visionary, with a deep passion for outreach and community impact.
Throughout his ministry, Pastor Mike led epic Vacation Bible Schools, fundraisers, revivals, and outreach ministries that made a lasting impact. He was heavily involved in rehabilitation ministries and missions, frequently traveling to Mexico to spread the gospel and lead people to Christ. He often encouraged his congregation to “be the church in the marketplace” and to be examples of Christ outside the church walls.
Known as “The Project Man,” Pastor Mike also used his mastery in construction to build churches in surrounding parishes and in Mexico. His love for people and his calling to ministry, which began at a young age, kept him dedicated to serving this community for over 30 years.
Under Pastor Mike’s leadership, the church became known for its expressive worship and faith-filled environment, making a significant impact on the surrounding communities.
A NEW NAME & A NEW BEGINNING
In June of 2021, Pastors Brandon & Gina Marshall moved to Louisiana to lead the church, bringing fresh vision and leadership. After a few months of prayer and discernment, they realized that God was calling them to plant something new. By October of 2021, the church was officially renamed and launched as Restoration Northshore Church, with a new name and a prophetic vision. Pastors Brandon & Gina Marshall felt called to bring spiritual awakening not just to their local community, but to the entire region. Inspired by Acts 3:21, where God is “restoring all things,” they believed the Northshore represented a larger mission field—one that encompassed their city and beyond.
The congregation embraced this new beginning with excitement and joy, sensing that God was doing something fresh. There was a growing sense of momentum as the vision for restoration and revival began to take shape.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. The church had been severely impacted by the aftershocks of COVID-19, leaving only a few members and limited finances. There were moments of doubt, but God remained faithful—every bill was paid, new faces filled the seats, and most importantly, lives were being transformed as people came to Christ.
The congregation embraced this new beginning with excitement and joy, sensing that God was doing something fresh. There was a growing sense of momentum as the vision for restoration and revival began to take shape.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. The church had been severely impacted by the aftershocks of COVID-19, leaving only a few members and limited finances. There were moments of doubt, but God remained faithful—every bill was paid, new faces filled the seats, and most importantly, lives were being transformed as people came to Christ.
A DIVINE TRANSITION
After faithfully leading the church for over 30 years, Pastor Mike Patterson sensed that it was time to transition out of pastoring and think about retirement. Alongside his desire to retire, his health had begun to decline, making the need for new leadership even more pressing. Pastor Mike had long valued the guidance of his spiritual father, Bishop Tony Miller, who had visited Grace Harbor Family Church in January of 2016, introducing Pastor Brandon Marshall to the congregation. However, with Bishop Miller’s passing in January of 2021, Pastor Mike found himself looking to the Lord for direction on how to proceed.
In his prayers, Pastor Mike asked God for a list of qualifications for the next leaders of Grace Harbor. When he reconnected with Pastors Brandon & Gina Marshall, they met every requirement—except for their age, which always brought a bit of humor to their conversations.
In 2021, despite the church facing significant challenges due to the impact of COVID-19, Pastor Mike knew that Brandon & Gina were the ones to take the church forward. Pastor Brandon, an executive in the biotech industry, and Gina made the life-changing decision to leave everything behind. They sold their home, said goodbye to family and friends, and moved to Louisiana, filled with faith that God had a purpose for them. The church, though struggling, was ready for a new beginning under their leadership.
In his prayers, Pastor Mike asked God for a list of qualifications for the next leaders of Grace Harbor. When he reconnected with Pastors Brandon & Gina Marshall, they met every requirement—except for their age, which always brought a bit of humor to their conversations.
In 2021, despite the church facing significant challenges due to the impact of COVID-19, Pastor Mike knew that Brandon & Gina were the ones to take the church forward. Pastor Brandon, an executive in the biotech industry, and Gina made the life-changing decision to leave everything behind. They sold their home, said goodbye to family and friends, and moved to Louisiana, filled with faith that God had a purpose for them. The church, though struggling, was ready for a new beginning under their leadership.
WHERE WE ARE HEADED
Since planting Restoration Northshore Church, Pastors Brandon & Gina Marshall have led the congregation through a season of tremendous growth and transformation. In November of 2023, Restoration took a bold step forward, purchasing a new church property in Robert, Louisiana. This move came at a pivotal time, as the church had outgrown its previous building due to the influx of new members. On the first Sunday of December 2023, Restoration held its first service in the new building, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
This new location is not just a larger facility—it’s a sign of what’s to come. Pastors Brandon & Gina believe that God is preparing Restoration Northshore Church for a season of revival and spiritual awakening that will impact not just their congregation, but the entire region. The vision is to see lives transformed, hearts restored, and communities awakened to the presence of God.
As the church moves forward, the congregation plays a central role in this revival. Through prayer, worship, and service, every member is part of the greater mission to bring the Kingdom of God to their region. Signs of revival are already evident, with lives being changed, people coming to Christ, and a renewed hunger for God’s presence in every service. The momentum is building, and Restoration is poised for even greater things as they continue to step out in faith.
This new location is not just a larger facility—it’s a sign of what’s to come. Pastors Brandon & Gina believe that God is preparing Restoration Northshore Church for a season of revival and spiritual awakening that will impact not just their congregation, but the entire region. The vision is to see lives transformed, hearts restored, and communities awakened to the presence of God.
As the church moves forward, the congregation plays a central role in this revival. Through prayer, worship, and service, every member is part of the greater mission to bring the Kingdom of God to their region. Signs of revival are already evident, with lives being changed, people coming to Christ, and a renewed hunger for God’s presence in every service. The momentum is building, and Restoration is poised for even greater things as they continue to step out in faith.