Sunday Worship Service 11:00AM
About Us
Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist ChurchOur Mission
The Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church exists to glorify God by pursuing excellence in all that we do, for the expressed purposes of winning souls and leading each member to become a fully committed, fully equipped, completely devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
To become a church that worships, witnesses, and serves with a spirit of excellence.
What We Do
We walk by faith
We worship in spirit and in truth
We serve in excellence
We merge technology and tradition
We share God’s love
What We Believe
The Sovereignty of God
The Authority of the Bible
The Value of Every Individual
Salvation by Grace through the Blood of Jesus
The Power of Prayer
The Priority of Worship
The Privilege of Serving Others
What We Seek to Achieve
Bridge the Past
Bless the Present
Birth the Future
What Antioch-Lithonia Provides to Her Members
A place to belong — in unity and with affirmation
People who are blessed and are a blessing to others
Principles to believe and live by
Purposes to boldly pursue
Plans to become all that one can become
Leadership
Pastoral Leadership
Pastor James C. Ward
Pastor James Cornell Ward has faithfully led Antioch-Lithonia since 1995, following his service as pastor of two previous congregations. A native of Abbeville, Alabama, Pastor Ward is a humble servant who acknowledges God’s guidance in every step of his journey. His anointed and uplifting preaching addresses the complexities of modern life while offering biblical truth and encouragement.
Under his visionary leadership, Antioch-Lithonia has experienced spiritual growth and ministry expansion, with notable advancements in education, administration, and technology. Pastor Ward holds a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of New Orleans, and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Mississippi Baptist Seminary.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Ward is a gifted choral composer whose music ministry has blessed congregations around the world. His compositions have been published by major publishing houses including Lorenz, Hal Leonard, and Shawnee Press, and have received multiple prestigious awards for artistic excellence.
Like many senior pastors, Pastor Ward serves on several non-profit boards and has been recognized numerous times for his civic and community engagement. He has taught at several colleges and seminaries and is in constant demand for church seminars.
Pastor Ward and his wife, Idell Clark Ward, have been married since 1975. They are blessed with three adult children, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
First Lady Idell Ward
First Lady Idell Clark Ward was born in Jones County, Mississippi. She has been married to Pastor James C. Ward for fifty years and has served as First Lady of Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church since March 1995. She is the mother of three grown children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
First Lady Ward is involved in many ministries at Antioch, but is especially active in Toastmasters. She is a First Lady who reaches out to all. Rather than being served, she enjoys serving others, truly operating in her spiritual gift of helps. First Lady Ward takes pride in being “Just Plain Nell” — nothing fancy — though she is affectionately known by Pastor Ward’s pet name for her: “My Beauty Queen.”
Associate Ministers
The Associate Ministers support the Senior Pastor in guiding the spiritual growth and well-being of the church community. They assist with preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and ministry coordination. Each associate may oversee specific areas such as youth, outreach, or discipleship, helping to ensure the church’s mission is fulfilled through dedicated leadership and compassionate service.
Meet the Associate Ministers
Deacons
The Deacons and Deaconesses serve as spiritual leaders and caregivers within the church, supporting the pastor and congregation through service, prayer, and ministry. They are entrusted with responsibilities such as assisting with communion, visiting the sick, supporting church families in need, and fostering unity within the body of Christ. Their commitment reflects a heart for service and a dedication to nurturing the spiritual and practical needs of the church community.
Meet the Deacons and Deaconesses
Antioch-Lithonia
Our History
Established in 1869, Antioch-Lithonia is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, churches founded by African Americans in Lithonia and Dekalb County, beginning with twelve faithful members who spent $2.50 to build a bush arbor on what is now Covington Highway. Over the past 150 years, the church has grown into a historical and spiritual landmark, actively participating in the civil rights movement, expanding its ministry, and continuing to serve as a beacon of faith and hope for generations to come.
