Fresh Start Upstate
A ministry built on the Word, moved by the Spirit, and committed to the transformation of lives, families, and communities.
Our Vision
To offer a FRESH START to INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, and COMMUNITIES through a Christ-Centered approach.
Our Mission
Lead. Empower. Equip. Develop. Love. Worship.
What We Stand On
Spirit-Led
We follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in every gathering, trusting God to move in ways that exceed our plans and expectations.
Word-Grounded
Everything we do is anchored in Scripture. The Word of God is our foundation, our guide, and our standard.
Community-Centered
We believe transformation happens in relationship. We are committed to building authentic community across generations, backgrounds, and callings.
Prophetic
We carry a prophetic mandate — to speak what God is saying, to call forth what God has placed in people, and to declare His purposes over families, ministries, and nations.
Leadership
Senior Leader · Founder & Host · Educator & Executive Leader
Pastor Maria A. Powell
CEO & Founder, The Prophetic Experience
Maria A. Powell is a visionary leader, prophetic voice, and servant whose life bridges the marketplace and ministry. As Senior Pastor of Fresh Start Upstate and host of The Prophetic Experience, she brings a message of identity, purpose, and transformation to every room she enters.
With a career spanning business leadership, program management, executive pastoral ministry, and education, Maria operates with excellence in both the church and the corporate world. She currently serves as a marketplace educator, equipping the next generation with the tools to lead with clarity and conviction.
Maria is the founder of the Global Ladies of Titus Network — an international organization equipping women in ministry, business, and personal development — and Synergy Awareness Coaching and Consulting, a firm dedicated to cultivating confident, purpose-driven leaders in both the marketplace and the local church.
She holds a B.S. in Psychology, an M.S. in Administration and Emergency Planning from Lynn University, a Master's Certificate in Emergency Crisis Management, and an M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Change from Columbia College. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the International Christian Coaching Association (ICCA).
Maria's life and ministry are grounded in holistic wellness — spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical — guided by 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Through every endeavor, she remains steadfast in integrity, character, and spiritual empowerment: faith in action and purpose in motion.
The Perfection. The Overflow. The Encounter.
The Prophetic Experience 2027
On May 28, 2027, Fresh Start Upstate will host The Prophetic Experience at the Crowne Plaza Orlando – Lake Buena Vista. This one-day gathering will bring together believers for worship, the Word, prophetic impartation, and meaningful conversations addressing Black health, mental health, estate planning, wellness, business, ministry, and generational preparation.