sheperding a global movement for impact

founders & senior pastors

founder and senior pastor, impact church

pastor deborah dukes

Pastor Deborah Dukes is a dynamic Kingdom leader whose life and ministry embody the heart of impact. A true “Proverbs 31 woman,” she is honored and celebrated by her husband, daughter, and grandchildren who “rise up, and call her blessed.” Born into a strong legacy of faith as the daughter of Pastor Lorene Poindexter and the late Bishop Carver Poindexter of Love of Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, Pastor Deborah received a solid foundation in Christ that continues to shape her life and leadership today.

As Co-Founder and Senior Pastor of Impact Church (formerly Harvest Life Church) in Woodbridge, Virginia, Pastor Deborah serves alongside her husband and ministry partner, Bishop Lyle Dukes, leading a life-changing ministry dedicated to transforming lives and impacting the world. Together, they carry the God-given mission of leading people from sin to salvation, salvation to stability, stability to success, and from success to significance.

At the heart of Pastor Deborah’s ministry is a passion for discipleship and building a Christ Culture—a culture where Christ is the standard, the Word of God is the foundation, and the character of Christ is demonstrated in how we live, love, lead, serve, give, and impact others. She is passionate about helping believers understand that following Jesus is not limited to a church service; it is a way of life. Through her preaching, teaching, leadership, and example, she challenges people to represent Christ in their homes, relationships, workplaces, ministries, and communities.

Pastor Deborah also serves as the Executive Director of Churches United, where she and Bishop Dukes provide spiritual leadership, ministry development, and support to churches around the world. Together, they are known as “Pastors to Pastors,” strengthening leaders and ministries and helping equip the Church to fulfill its divine mandate of winning souls, making disciples, developing leaders, and meeting the real needs of people.

A gifted author, songwriter, psalmist, producer, and creative visionary, Pastor Deborah has co-authored numerous books with Bishop Dukes and has written, produced, and directed four powerful stage productions—Church Wives, The #1 Player, The Sinner’s Choir, and The Wishing Well—each created to inspire transformation and Kingdom living.

With a lifelong passion for music and worship, Pastor Deborah provides leadership and oversight to the worship and music ministries of Impact Church, including its worship teams, choirs, musicians, and music initiatives. As a songwriter and psalmist, she understands the power of worship to create an atmosphere where people encounter God and lives are changed.

Pastor Deborah is also passionate about leadership, organizational development, and building strong ministry infrastructure. She has a unique ability to take vision and develop the people, systems, teams, and strategies necessary to bring it to life.

Her impact is also deeply reflected in her family. As a mother, Pastor Deborah intentionally nurtured and developed her daughter, Pastor Brittany Dukes-Bryant, who now serves as Executive Pastor of Impact Church, helping carry the vision forward with strength, wisdom, and passion.

Pastor Deborah Dukes is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, pastor, teacher, and spiritual leader to countless people. She is committed to using every gift, platform, and opportunity God has entrusted to her to build people, strengthen families, develop leaders, advance Christ Culture, and produce victorious Kingdom results.

Through her leadership at Impact Church, she continues to change lives, shape generations and make a lasting impact for Jesus Christ.

founder and lead senior pastor, impact church

bishop lyle dukes

Bishop Lyle Dukes is the epitome of a man of impact, distinguished by a strong work ethic, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to Christ and the Kingdom of God. He serves as the Founder and Lead Senior Pastor of Impact Church (formerly Harvest Life Church) in Woodbridge, Virginia, which he founded in 1995 with his wife and ministry partner, Pastor Deborah Dukes.

Together, Bishop and Pastor Dukes carry a God-given mission to transform lives and impact the world by leading people from sin to salvation, salvation to stability, stability to success, and from success to significance. Through evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and community impact, they are committed to developing believers who not only profess Christ but live transformed lives that reflect Him.

Central to their vision is the building of a Christ Culture—a way of life where Christ is the standard, the Word of God is the foundation, and the character of Christ is demonstrated in how we live, love, lead, serve, give, and impact others. Bishop Dukes teaches that Christianity is more than what believers do on Sunday; it is a culture that should shape our decisions, relationships, families, leadership, work, and everyday lives. Through this emphasis, he is raising disciples who represent Jesus Christ in the church, in their homes, in the marketplace, and throughout the world.

Bishop Dukes also serves as the Presiding Bishop of Churches United, an international organization of churches, alongside Pastor Deborah, who serves as Executive Director. Together, they are known as “Pastors to Pastors,” strengthening pastors, developing leaders, establishing churches, and providing ministry and organizational direction to ministries throughout the United States and abroad. Their global work also includes ministry development and construction initiatives, including a 2,000-seat ministry center in Nakuru, Kenya.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Bishop Dukes holds a Master of Divinity and has completed master’s-level studies in Business Administration. A U.S. Army veteran and former Commissioned Officer, he brings discipline, strategic thinking, and excellence to every area of leadership. He is also a prolific author of more than twenty books written to inspire, develop, and equip people to walk in purpose, leadership, and Kingdom power.

Beyond his pastoral and global ministry work, Bishop Dukes is widely respected in corporate and civic arenas for his godly wisdom, integrity, and leadership. He has served on several boards, including as Chairman of the Board for the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, the largest municipal chamber in Virginia.

Bishop Dukes’ life and ministry are marked by an unwavering commitment to Christ, Kingdom, culture, and impact. His leadership is not simply focused on building a church, but on building people who reflect Christ and carry His influence into every sphere of life. His marriage and ministry partnership with Pastor Deborah is a powerful example of love, faith, vision, and Kingdom collaboration, inspiring couples, families, pastors, and leaders around the world.

Together, Bishop Lyle and Pastor Deborah Dukes continue to lead with vision and passion—building a Christ Culture, transforming lives, impacting the world, and making an impact that will last for generations.

Bishop Dukes values family deeply and is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend.