Our Leadership

OUR LEAD PASTOR - BISHOP J.D. GUTHRIE

Bishop J. D. Guthrie —an open-minded, visionary, and devoted pastor who loves the Lord and His people. Ever evolving, a man, very progressive in approach and application of God’s word, yet conventional about biblical principles, Bishop Guthrie’s greatest contribution is the example his life displays. He takes his roles as husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and bishop, and lives his life so others see God in him, and are inspired to live a Christ-centered life.

Bishop Guthrie has a rich apostolic heritage and is honored to be a fourth generation son in the gospel. He and his late wife, Dr. J.A. Guthrie, are the founding pastors of the First Apostolic Church.

In addition to serving the local ministry, Bishop Guthrie serves the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (PAW). in several capacities. He is the Diocesan Bishop of the 30th Episcopal District of the PAW, the Georgia State Council. He serves on the Global Evangelism Committee and is also a member of the Executive Bishops Counsel of the PAW.

Traveling to South Africa for more than twenty years, he served as the Diocesan Bishop of the 60th Episcopal District of the PAW (Western Cape Province and Cape Town) for ten years. He is the former Chairman of the International Missions Board of the PAW and has traveled to the Caribbean, South America, Dominica, Brazil, Europe and South Africa bringing the gospel and humanitarian aid to those in need.

Besides his pastoral and missionary work around the globe, Bishop Guthrie serves as a chaplain with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. He served as a member and Vice Chairman of the Board at South Fulton Medical Center, as well as a various civic groups.

MEET OUR FIRST LADY - LADY MARSHA LADD-GUTHRIE

First Lady Marsha Ladd-Guthrie is an anointed minister, writer, mother, wife and Proverbs 31 Elect Lady. She is also the author of “Someday….A Collection of Prophetic Writings”. She is a powerful woman of God who with grace, commitment, and passion serves alongside her husband, Bishop J.D. Guthrie.

Lady Marsha, as she is affectionately known, was born and raised in Hominy, Oklahoma, educated in the Oklahoma school system and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.S. degree in Education. She later moved to Mobile, Alabama after marrying the late Deacon Dwight Ladd, Sr., where she and her family attended the Apostolic Church of God.

In February 2005, the sudden passing of her husband took Lady Marsha on a new journey in learning of the depth and riches of God’s love and keeping power. During this season of loss, she continued to serve the people of God with her infectious smile in various ministries and offices. In addition to becoming a licensed minister of the PAW, she served as a Christian Education teacher, Teachers Technique Coordinator, Health Professional, Music Ministry Assistant Director, Drama Ministry Director, Public Relations Announcer, Hospitality Ministry Director, Culinary Ministry staff, and Executive Board Lay Member.

Lady Marsha worked as a special education teacher in the Mobile County School System for more than 30 years before retiring. She is known as a chaste keeper of the home and is an excellent cook. Her signature dessert is the “peach cobbler” which leaves many who partake of it speechless.

As God uses Lady Marsha to reveal the powerful meaning of God’s love and inspiration, it’s evident that she’s revered as her family’s matriarch by her two sons. She is a woman with God-given gifts and truly embodies the meaning of her first name “Marsha” as she has demonstrated that she is a “brave warrior” when faced with adversity.

In 2016, Lady Marsha found love again when she met Bishop Guthrie and on April 29, 2017, they were joined in holy matrimony. Now on a new journey, this dynamic couple is positioned to do mighty exploits for the Kingdom of God.