His God-directed developmental path prepared him to handle the spiritual side of the church as well as the administrative and business sides. From stints in the corporate world as a public relations Manager at Exxon, to a Regional Systems Manager at AT&T, God’s invisible hand was gently guiding and preparing him. From learning shape note singing in rural Alabama, to singing in the Morehouse Glee Club, to performing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, God’s invisible hand again was constantly guiding this leader, who is also an accomplished musician, composer and arranger.
Educationally, Pastor Ward earned a Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, with a double major in Philosophy and German Literature. While at Morehouse, he earned sufficient academic credits to qualify for a minor in music. He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Divinity degree from The New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Pastor Ward has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Mississippi Baptist Seminary.
Pastor Ward has strong ties with community and civic organizations. He was the Charter President of the Lithonia-East Dekalb Optimist Club, the former President of the Board of Directors of the East Dekalb Boys and Girls Club. He is also a graduate of Leadership Dekalb class of 2003. President Clinton cited him for Dedicated Community Service on February 17, 1999. He was also invited to the White House in 2001. On September 16, 2005, Pastor Ward was among ten Metropolitan Atlanta Area pastors to receive the “Chosen” Award, presented by the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards. The ceremony took place at an Awards Gala, held at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center.
Under Pastor Ward’s leadership, the congregation purchased 23 acres of land on Rock Chapel Road and completed its 6.2 million dollars edifice, which is the first phase of a strategic building project. The congregation occupied the new facility on October 2, 2004.
A scholar who reads four or five books a week and boasts of a personal library of over seven thousand volumes, Pastor Ward has taught at several colleges and seminaries, and is in constant demand for church seminars.
He is married to the former Idell Clark of Laurel, Mississippi. He affectionately calls her “My Beauty Queen.” They are blessed with three grown children and eleven grandchildren.
Pastor Ward’s diminutive frame, which weighs in at 119 pounds and scales a height of five feet, four inches, in no way reflects his powerful, anointed preaching ability. His baritone voice articulates with clarity, with precision and with succinctness, a Christ-centered, Bible-based message with relevance for the 21st century. Considered by many to be a “Walking Encyclopedia”, Pastor Ward draws from a plethora of sources to illustrate his points. In one sentence, he refers to an African folk tale; in another, he quotes a Greek philosopher; in another, he refers to a recent sporting event; after which he recounts the latest chitchat of the corner barbershop. His anointed preaching addresses the issues and problems of today and provides Biblical answers in a positive, uplifting way. Some of his most memorable and impactful sermons are "Keep the Soup Safe"; "The Hidden Agenda"; "Good that's Not Good Enough"; "Drunk at a Critical Time"; "Here Today - Gone Tomorrow"; "It Ain't Over Till It's Over"; and "Ther Silent Killer."
Pastor Ward, who considers himself a “late bloomer”, is humbled and honored that God has chosen him as the anointed vessel to lead Antioch-Lithonia in such a time as this.
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What We Accomplished During Pastor Ward's Watch
Creation of Bulletin Committee Official Counseling Ministry
Creation of Personal Support Ordination Of 10 Ministers
And Development (PSD) Ordination Of 18 Deacons
Creation of Concert Band Establishment of Angel Food Program
Establishment of Mass Communication Use Of Automated Church Systems Software
Ministry Continuous CPA Oversight Of Financial Affairs
Extension of VBS To Two Weeks Women Women Serving Communion
Institution of Noon Bible Class Georgia Mass Choir Concert
Hiring of First Full-Time Accountant Golf League
Creation of Web Site Connection Ministry (Gifts Assessment &
Mothers' Voices Ministry Placement)
Summer Camp With Boys & Girls Club Community Development Corporation
Creation Of JCW Chorale Live Recording of Harold Holloway&Company
Enhancement Of Membership Care Ministry Inauguration of Christian Education Week
Establishment Of Scouting Program Implementation Of Local Area Network
Feed the Lithonia High School Band Multifold Increase In Tithe And Offerings
Initative Business Operations According To "Best
Establishment Of Summer Math Program Practices
Establishment Of Summer Reading Program Formation of Internal Audit Committment
Participation In The SCLC Oratorical Contest Creation Of Official Logo
Creation Of Official Dance Ministry Payroll Administered by ADP
Creation Of Nursery Ministry Procedures Manual
Establishment Of Veterans' Day Recognition Use Of Calling Post
Senator Max Cleland As Guest Speaker Official Seniors' Ministry (NTO)
Establishment Of Educators' Day Recognition Cheerleaders
Establishment Of Toastmasters Rite Of Passage Ceremony
Establishment Of Human Resources Women Administering Baptism
Committee Angella Christie Performed at Worship Servic
Creation Of Amour Bearer' Ministry Natalie Cole Performed at Worship Service
Stoneview Promotion Service Establishment Of Weight Watchers Program
Strategic Operating Committee Participation in Georgia Tech Youth
Women Ministers Performing Baptism Entrepreneur Success Program
Ministers Prayer Breakfast Partnership with Hyatt Corporation to Build
JC Ward Chorale Performs at the Salute to Habitat For Humanity House
Civil Rights Leaders DFCS Family Visitation Center
Men of Antioch Reads to Fairington Boys 2 Men Breakfast- Lithonia Middle School
Elementary Students Troy Sneed performed at Worship Service
Initiated MOS (My Own Story) project Kaboom playground built (First in nation for
to preserve Antioch's history religious organization)
Realigned ministries for greater efficiency Baylor Hymn project (One of only ten selected)
20 new Deacons/Deacon wives trainees Antioch is location for 2010 census
JC Ward chorale performed at the salute
to Law and Justicr Leaders
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PASTOR JAMES C. WARD IS A "TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN"
Husband Problem-Solver
Father Musician
Grandfather Composer
Brother Choral Conductor
Pastor Hugger
Teacher Organizer
Pulpiteer Accountant
Care-Giver Humorist
Lecturer Philanthropist
Recruiter Acoustician
Cheer Leader Historian
Parliamentarian Patron Of The Arts
Team Builder Philosopher
Writer Theologian
Strategic Planner Waffle House Customer
Motivator Vision Castor
Events Coordinator Counselor
Business Man Public Relations Specialist
Implementer Scholar
