Meet Our Founder

LaNora Purvis’ Testimony

LaNora Purvis is a dynamic leader, visionary, and advocate who has dedicated her life to empowering individuals to heal from trauma and rebuild their lives. As the Founder and Co-CEO of Heaven’s Army Ministries, she has been instrumental in transforming lives since 2010. LaNora’s journey began with the founding of Heaven’s Army of Resources, a Christ-centered outreach ministry, three months after getting out of jail, and it has now grown into a multifaceted organization serving individuals facing addiction, abuse, sex trafficking, homelessness, and other various life traumas.

In 2015, LaNora expanded her ministry by launching the Home of Amazing Grace, a residential discipleship program for women. This program offers more than just recovery; it provides a transformative environment where women can heal from their pasts and develop the skills needed to thrive in life. Always striving to do more, LaNora founded The Winston House in 2023, a residential discipleship home for men, focusing on next-level living for those who have already graduated from a recovery program. Through these homes, LaNora has become a beacon of hope for those who thought redemption was out of reach.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to equipping others with practical skills led her to establish Heaven’s Army – The Brewtique & More in 2024. This unique coffee shop and boutique serves as a hands-on training ground for the women in her discipleship program, teaching them work ethics, entrepreneurial skills, and the value of self-sufficiency.

In addition to her ministry work, LaNora is a published author. Her 2023 book, You Would Never Know: Healing From the Past Brings Hope for the Future, chronicles her powerful testimony of overcoming trauma and offers readers a message of hope and restoration. She also co-authored the Business Woman’s Bible Study, sharing her insights on faith-based leadership and business acumen.

As the owner of Voicing Up International, LaNora is committed to trauma-informed leadership, education, and advocacy on a global scale. Through her Voicing Up International Podcast, she and her co-host, Rhonda Kossie, break the silence on critical issues like abuse, human trafficking, and addiction, providing a platform for voices that need to be heard. LaNora’s role as a victims advocate and speaker has made her a sought-after figure in ministries, conferences, and advocacy circles, where she continues to spread her message of hope and healing.

LaNora’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She is a pastor, wife, mother of six, grandmother of 14, and a spiritual mother to many. Her nurturing spirit and dedication to leading others with Christ-centered love have touched countless lives.

From her humble beginnings to the powerful leader, she is today, LaNora Purvis embodies resilience, faith, and the belief that healing from the past brings hope for the future. Her life’s work is a testament to her passion for helping others find restoration and purpose through God’s love.

Lanora married Howard Purvis of Corrigan, Texas, on December 12, they currently reside in New Caney, East Montgomery County.

• Minister of the Gospel since 2010 & ordained in 2016
• Founder/Co-CEO of Heaven’s Army of Resources & Recreation Center (HARRC) in 2010 with her husband
• Founder/CEO of Heaven’s Army-Home of Amazing Grace Cleveland TX 2015
• Founder/CEO of The Redemption House Cleveland TX 2016
• Founder/CEO of Heaven’s Army-The Freedom House
• Founder/CEO of Heaven’s Army-The Winston House 2024
• Founder/CEO of Heaven’s Army Brewtique & More 2024
• Author of You Would Never Know 2023
• Co-Author of Business Woman’s Bible Study 2023
• Founder of Voicing Up International 2024

Memberships

• Member of the Montgomery County Human Trafficking Coalition Service Provider
• Member of Houston’s Human Trafficking Victim Service Providers Committee
• Member of Greater Cleveland and East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
• Board Member of Coldspring & Shepherd Chamber of Commerce
• Member of Women’s League of San Jacinto County
• Member and active advocate for Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
• Member Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Speakers Bureau
• CPS Faith-Based Partner & Resource Provider
• Volunteer for Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Trainings

• Traffick911-Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Training 2012
• Darkness to Light-Sexual Abuse Prevention Training 2012
• Laster Global-Human Trafficking Training 2012
• Completed Leadership East Montgomery County 2013
• Crime Victims Services Training 2013
• Southern State Victim Conference 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2022
• Spotlight of Exploration 2015
• John Maxwell 15 Valuable Laws of Growth 2015
• From Crunk to Drunk Synthetics Drugs Training 2017
• Gateway to Hope Empower Training 2018
• Gateway to Hope Transform Training 2018
• Domestic Violence Training 2019
• Safety & Identifying Trauma Training 2019
• Working with Families & Providing Trauma-Informed Services 2019
• Certified Trainer for the TX Center for Missing & Exploited Children Internet Safety 2013, 2016 & 2018
• Graduate & Alumni of the Montgomery County Constables Citizens Academy 2019

Awards

• HerTime Ministries-Certificate of Honor 2011
• KSBJ 89.3-Certificate of Recognition from 2011-2023
• Community Appreciation Award 2013
• Chamber of Commerce-Appreciation Award-Prevention of Predator Crimes Against Children 2013
• Building Better Families-Humanitarian Service Award 2015
• Building Better Families-Volunteer Service Appreciation Award 2015
• Inspired Service Award Beyond the Storm 2017
• Victory Life Center Alabama-Compassion Award 2017
• Chamber of Commerce-Business of the Month 2018
• Chamber of Commerce-Ambassador of the Month 2018
• Diamond Celebration-Diamond Award 2018
• Women’s Club of Cleveland-Appreciation Award 2018
• Department of Family & Protective Services-Appreciation Award 2019
• Chamber of Commerce-1st Runner-up Non-Profit of the Year 2020
• Chamber of Commerce-Board of Director Service Award 2020
• State of Texas Recognition-Ribbon Cutting for Home of Amazing Grace 2021
• Chamber of Commerce- 1st Quarter of the Year Volunteer Award 2022
• Chamber of Commerce-Volunteer of the Year-2022
• United States Representative Brian Babin-36th Congressional District Recognition 2023
• Humanitarian Award 2024
• Hometown Hero 2024

She has also been on numerous radio interviews, podcast, and television interviews along with many newspaper & magazine articles written throughout years of ministry, including being featured as the cover page story for KSBJ 89.3 magazine in 2020.