In the fall of 1998, God pressed upon the heart of Elder Gentry Doxey to start a church.  At the time he and his wife, Elder Freda Doxey were serving faithfully under Dr. Derick Edley of Dayspring Christian Center in DeSoto, Texas.  They began to seek the face of the Lord for a name for the ministry.  After much prayer and meditation, the name Agape Christian Family Church was given.  God informed Elder Doxey that this was the name because he is gifted to love God’s people into the kingdom thereby, establishing Godly families in the body of Christ.  The new church would be located in the Metro-Atlanta area.  With a name, purpose and location in hand, the Doxeys waited for God’s timely release.

 

One year later, they were licensed, ordained, anointed and released as pastors to plant a church.   On March 1, 1999, Elders Gentry and Freda Doxey arrived at Oaktree Apartments in Decatur, Georgia ready to pursue the will of God in ministry.  Unknown to the Doxeys, one of the employees for Oaktree had a strong desire for a bible study to be held on the property.   When Elder Doxey went to meet with the Activities Coordinator about starting a bible study on the property, he was delighted to know that she had the same desire.  In addition to conducting a weekly Bible Study in the Oaktree Clubhouse, Elders Gentry and Freda also helped plan and conduct various other activities for the newly established Oaktree Activities Kouncil (O.A.K.). 

 

On Wednesday, April 3, 1999, Elders Gentry and Freda conducted the first of many Bible Study meetings.  Through word of mouth, door-to-door evangelism and posting of announcements, the Bible Study began to grow.  At this point, Elder Doxey inquired of the Lord about the timing for the church to begin.  In prayer, he received a release from the Lord to start the church.  Elder Doxey invited everyone who was led of God to become members of the new church to meet at their apartment.   The next night five members of the Bible Study attended the meeting.  The chartered members were Leon and Dale Wilson, Jeanette Walker, Demetris Walker, Stephen Smith, Jillian P. Henderson and Pastor Doxey and his family.  (Unknown to Pastors Gentry and Freda Doxey, Pastor Freda was pregnant with their first miracle child). 

 

One week before their first Sunday service, Pastor Freda’s former pastor, Rev. Frederick Haynes was preaching at New Life Baptist Church where Rev. Marlin D. Harris is the pastor.  While attending this service, Pastor Doxey announced to Pastor Haynes that they would be starting Agape Christian Family Church.  The Holy Spirit moved upon Pastor Haynes, but also Pastor Harris, Pastor Sabin Strickland and other brothers and sisters in Christ to bring their gifts of support to Pastor Doxey.  In addition to financial blessings, Agape Christian Family Church received a piano, an organ and a glass podium!!!  Praise be to God for His indescribable gifts.  God continued to show favor to Pastor Doxey when he approached the manager of the new Comfort Inn about holding regular Sunday services in the conference center.  The manager gladly welcomed Pastor Doxey and Agape Christian Family Church by posting the church information on the marquee, at no additional cost, for one full year!! 

 

On Sunday, September 5, 1999, with eight members, Pastors Gentry and Freda Doxey held their first church service at the Comfort Inn, 4450 Memorial Drive, Decatur, Georgia. Since that time, the Lord has added to the church and Bible Study. 

 

Since that first service, various ministries of the church have taken off. One of the first ministries the Lord instituted was the women’s ministry.  That same month of September God spoke to Pastor Freda Doxey to conduct the Wisdom of Women (W.O.W) women’s conference for March 2000.  In December 2000, the church was chosen by the nationally known Toys for Tots Christmas program to distribute over 600 new toys to needy families with children.  In December 2001, the church became the largest distributor of new toys for the Christmas Toys For Tots program.  The Nu Blood Youth ministry continues to grow as it conducts powerful services: Hallelujah Nite, Friday Nite Lives, Youth Rally and Back-to-School Picnics.  Other anointed ministries include M.O.V.E (Men Of Valor and Excellence), Married Couples, Children’s Ministry, Intercessory Prayer, Evangelism (S.W.A.T), Ushers and Singles.

 

Early in 2002, the Lord spoke to Pastor Doxey about a new location for the church.  The $25,000 Nehemiah Building Fund was established to set aside funds to purchase a building for our new location.  We believe that we will be in our new building soon and very soon.