Annette Patterson

Annette Patterson, is an ordained minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who has been singing, writing, speaking and teaching for over 3 decades.

As a child, Annette realized that she had been chosen to do something great in the lives of others. While enduring years of sexual, mental and emotional abuse, she knew that one day her pain and shame would liberate others who had or were experiencing the same abuses. By ministering healing and empowerment to those who have had similar experiences, she has risen above her past. Annette always knew she would comfort others with the comfort she received from the Lord during those times.

Annette has written several soul stirring books and has published other writer’s books and publications through her printing and publishing company, In His Service Printing & Publishing.

In 1992, she discovered a soft spot in her heart for at-risk children from single parent homes (being a single parent herself) in Los Angeles, California, when she opened Patterson Educational Center (PEC). Starting in a room at her home, she began teaching her own children, and before long had a classroom full of students whose parents wanted more for them.

She moved from one classroom to a site with several classrooms allowing for over sixty students ranging from grades K through 12. The children enrolled in the Center had both disciplinary, family, emotional and academic issues, which caused them to be expelled from and or removed from conventional schooling.

PEC, expanded to community outreach after the civil unrest during that time. With help from her sister Niqui Smith, the Center’s Director and their mother Pastor Roxie Smith, they provided food, clothing, personal items, parenting support and hope, as well as ministering to the emotional, mental and spiritual needs of countless residents in Los Angeles.

The National Christian Educator’s Alliance was founded by Annette in 1993, which sponsored an Annual Awards Luncheon, exalting Christian Educators, community leaders and students. As a result, many educators returned to or remained in education, continuing to serve children and their families.

During this time, she also created, produced and hosted, the Christian Educator’s Forum, a community access cable television show. The CEF provided a platform for Christian Educators, parents, students and others to speak to the issues concerning our children’s education and future.

Annette has been a standing guest singer on several Christian radio shows, feature speaker and or singer at numerous events and programs over the years, as well as a guest for several radio and internet shows.

Passionate about helping women move from abusive pasts to productive, successful and happy futures; she began sponsoring, “Are You Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places?” seminars and workshops. These events empowered single women with the word of God, relationship training, support from other women and counseling.

Annette has a positive and passionate attitude when helping the less fortunate, especially children and at-risk youth.

As the Founder and CEO of Joshua Home an LGBTQ Safe Haven, Annette has had to put all of her experiences and training to the test, creating innovative programs to resolve the problem of permanently housing LGBTQ homeless youth. Since 2013, she along with a small team of dedicated volunteers have fed, given clothes, shoes, blankets, personal hygiene items and community resources to the youth they meet who are homeless. Collaborating with other organizations and agencies has allowed Joshua Home to reach more children and youth. She speaks with parents of LGBT children, and others who want to understand, love and serve these children better.

In 2015 Annette completed trainings to become a Community Health Worker for LGBT+ youth through the county of San Bernardino Behavioral Health Department via Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance and safeTalk a suicide prevention program.

Today Annette continues to enhance the lives of women, men, and youth through her writings, speaking, ministry, community outreach programs and partnerships with others.