Carla was born in Camden, NJ in 1965 to Ethel and the late Joseph Ralph Thomas. After graduating from High School in 1983, Carla pursued her bachelor’s degree in education at Morgan State University. It was at Morgan State University under the influence of many bright and anointed Professors, that Carla began to realize her potential. Carla graduated from M.S.U. in 1988.
After college she began her 23 year teaching career while continuing to educate herself in her calling receiving. In 1996, Carla earned a Master of Art in Theology The New Brunswick Theological Seminary at Rutgers; followed by a Master’s of Divinity Degree in 2001 from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Theology Degree in 2003 from The Masters International School Of Divinity. Following her preparation for the ministry; Carla focused her goals on her career in education having a Masters In Educational Administration conferred upon her by Rider University in December of 2009.
Above her love for education, Carla possesses a love for her God, a love for her family, and a love for her calling in Christ Jesus. Carla was blessed to be united in marriage in 1993, to Mark A. Royster Sr. This union helped her to grow educationally and spiritually in ways that she never imagined. After four years of marriage, God saw fit to add children to their lives, blessing them with two wonderful sons.
Carla is also a Worshipper, who loves to worship and praise her God. Carla loves to pray, teach, preach, and counsel because she says that: “she loves the sound of the voice of God; and “she loves to be used by Him” After over 20 years in ministry she still testifies that: “It Is All About GOD” and her greatest accomplishment was the day that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
After being ordained, and serving in The Ujima Christian Church in Ewing Twp., NJ under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. John R. Norwood Jr. for 10 years, including time under his shepherd in the A.M.E. Church; Mark & Carla founded Blessed Redeemer Ministries in 1999. The ministry began as a Bible study, and became an in- home church, and slowly progressed into a small group deliverance ministry. From its inception, Blessed Redeemer was under the guidance and support of Pastor Thomas Roberts and The Cherryville Baptist Church of Flemington NJ. Over the years Blessed Redeemer Ministries has been highly favored and has helped plant and support other small group ministries. Blessed Redeemer is committed to providing outreach, missions, outreach, and evangelism throughout the region.
The ministry road has be not been without challenge and although at times the tempest rages, and is determined to try to consume her, Pastor Carla’s testimony remains the same as the God who has faithfully kept her saying:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things, which are behind, and reaching forward to those things, which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12 KJV