Bishop Bruce V. Parham, Sr., Ph.D. was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He is the youngest of three sons given to Pastor Arthur and Almeda Parham. Being raised as a son in ministry, both physically and spiritually, instilled his burden for ministry. It was obvious by the age of two that Bishop Parham had a rich anointing to sing. As an adolescent, he was engaged as a regular soloist at various church services, annual conventions and convocations of Mt. Sinai Holy Churches of America, Inc. During this time, Bishop Parham’s gift of singing was encouraged by his grandmother who told him to “Open up your mouth and sing!” This advice proved beneficial. At the age of twenty, Bishop Parham won numerous state and national gospel music competitions. Concurrently, Bishop Parham answered the Lord’s call to preach the Word. Together his anointing to sing intertwined with his anointing to expound the Word made him unique. After singing at the Gospel Music Workshop of America in St. Louis, MO; he received his first of many recording contracts. For the next decade, known as “Philadelphia’s Son of Promise”, Bishop Parham recorded three solo albums and worked with copious leaders in the gospel music industry. Ministry through song became subsequent to the preached Word. Bishop Parham traveled worldwide preaching and operating in the five-fold ministry. As an evangelist, Bishop Parham has facilitated thousands of souls coming into the Kingdom of God and encouraged countless others. Great men and women of God have influenced Bishop Parham: Pastor Arthur Parham (HIS NATURAL FATHER), Bishop Robert Taylor, Bishop Ralph Dennis, and others. Bishop Parham desired to house the knowledge imparted to him, coupled with the anointing God released on his life. Bishop cultivated a place where people could be saved, healed, delivered, and restored; a place where people could come to find love, help, hope, strength, guidance and encouragement. The Lord told him that this place would be an “OASIS” for those in need of spiritual refreshing. Through the leading of the Lord, in September 1998, Oasis of Refreshing Ministries, Inc. was birthed in Wilmington, Delaware. In November 2001, God increased the mandate on the life of Bishop Parham and caused him to stretch again. His vision encompassed others who would embrace a progressive, multi-cultural, charismatic fellowship. The purpose of the fellowship was to facilitate in the cultivation of the body of Christ in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Under the auspices of Bishop Parham they united to release a Fresh Fragrance into the body of Christ that is pleasing unto the Lord and thus became Fresh Fragrance Covenant Fellowship. Bishop Parham is the Presiding Prelate of Fresh Fragrance which now subsumes many churches all across the United States. In July 2006, Bishop Parham was consecrated to the Sacred Holy Order of Bishop by his spiritual father, Bishop Wilbert Baltimore at the Holy Convocation of the Fresh Fragrance.