Our Pastor
The Reverend Loretta Lewis-Brooks
Loretta Lewis Brooks will tell you that she is no one special and considers herself to be a servant. Her business associates, family and friends say otherwise. As a key staffer of Evans Bank, from August 2008 to April 2023, she functioned as a Bank Officer in the capacity of Senior Residential Mortgage Loan Underwriter.
Within her profession, she was recognized as a dynamic, yet generous leader, a team player – willing to share the joy of winning, as well as, by example, showing others how to face the challenges of an ever-changing corporate-financial environment. As the consummate professional, Loretta went above-and-beyond to encourage process improvement. Her previous employment includes functioning as a Senior Underwriter and Assistant Vice President for the Greater Buffalo Savings Bank, a position for which she received a Society of Excellence President’s Club Award. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate continuous and superior customer service, leadership, and a commitment to ethical business practices. With 45 years of diverse residential lending experience -- functioning as a processor, closer, product development specialist, regulatory compliance analyst, operations supervisor and underwriter -- Loretta has proved to be a leader in the field of mortgage banking.
Pastor Brooks is also an ordained Elder and Senior Pastor of Walls Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church since 2014, here in her hometown of Buffalo. She also serves as Prayer Coordinator for The Buffalo District and the Western New York Conference. As a spiritual leader entrusted with exalting the Word of God, and His healing power as manifested in the love and compassion of Christ, she demonstrates the heart of a shepherd to a flock of appreciative congregants. She is deeply and passionately committed to communicating the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ inside and outside the doors of Walls to embrace the surrounding, hurting community. She has initiated and supported many Community support projects. Every community project is infused with hope, a gentle encouragement to survive and succeed, and a determination to mirror the love of Christ in all that the church does.
Loretta attributes the honor and privilege of serving in the office of pastor to the power, presence, grace and mercy of Almighty God. She is the proud mother of three, the grandmother of four, and a Canisius College graduate.