ROBERT L. BRANCH SR. was born in Philadelphia, the last of seven children to Raymond and Mattierean Branch. His hard-working parents found the time to share the love of God with him and his siblings. After joining Zion Baptist Church under the late Dr. Leon H. Sullivan at a young age, Robert got a desire for the ministry. He was active in many different youth ministry groups including the youth choir. He loved to sing but that was as far as he got. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School system and graduated from West Philadelphia High School. He attended college and had a brief college athletic career. He then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict, was in the veterans for recovery group at the VA. He worked in his family's landscaping business. But he never felt fulfilled. Looking for that special place he knew God had for him he left Philadelphia to attend school in Washington D.C. and later ended up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania where he finally answered the call to the preaching ministry at New Life in Christ Fellowship under William T. Grier Jr. who specialized in ministry to young men like himself. During this time, he attended Grace Bible Institute, and then the newly formed New Life in Christ Bible Institute. Still feeling unfulfilled he moved to New York City where he began serving as a Minister, Counselor and Chaplain at New York City's Bowery Mission and eventually became the Senior Pastor and Administrative Director. During this time, he was licensed (1987) by the New York City Council of Churches and later licensed and ordained as a minister of the gospel at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey where he also served as an associate minister. He trained many Ministers and Pastors. While in New York his preaching ministry included an international tape ministry to three African countries, Great Britain and Australia. He later moved back to Philadelphia where he served as an associate minister at the International City Community Church while being employed by Philadelphia's OIC as the Director of their homeless initiative program, while serving on the OIC Clergy Board of Advisors. He later served as an associate minister at Holy Cross Baptist Church, True Vine Baptist Church and Kingdom Tree of Life Baptist Church where he was later named as the Senior Pastor. Throughout his service to the Lord, he has continued with his passion of teaching and briefly was an instructor for the Grace Bible Institute in Philadelphia. In 1992 God gave Robert a ministerial vision but it was not fulfilled until 2006 when Common Ground Services was born. His educational accomplishments include a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and Education, a master's degree in Clinical Christian Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary where he graduated Summa Cum Laude as well as an additional degree in Urban Theology/Christian Ministry from New York Theological Seminary, where he graduated with honors and the seminary's Theology Award. Robert loved people and to teach the word of God. His love for his community had him sitting on the porch during this last year interacting with his neighbors and friends. He had an incredibly special gift and could interact with all people. He loved his family and friends and was immensely proud of his sons and the men that they have become, "good dads. The Lord took Robert home on June 9, 2021. He is preceded in death by his siblings: Gene Hill, Loretta Howard and Joseph Branch. He is survived and cherished by his sister Gwendolyn Tucker; wife, Yvonne Branch; sons Robert Branch Jr. (Tenaya); David Branch and daughter Caprice Love; nine grandchildren: D'Jibrii, D'Jaqir, Salea, Jakaii, Rahzier, Ranae, Uriah, Aasante, Aarden and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly. Submitted by Robert Branch Sr. and the Family