We are a Bible-believing church family that shares a purpose, position, and promise.

Our purpose is to be a church that reaches inward to the congregation and outward to the community (Matthew 9:36).

It is our position as a body of Christ to:

Exalt the Savior
Equip the saints
Evangelize the sinners
Empower the family
Enlist soldiers for the Lord

We promise, as a church family, to walk by faith and not by sight, to seek God with all of our hearts, to lift Jesus to the highest standard, as we seek to do the work of the Kingdom in this ministry (Matthew 6:33).

MEET OUR PASTOR EMERITUS

Pastor Emeritus Ocie (O. C.) Oden, Jr. was born in Plantersville, Alabama May 26, 1943. He is married to Sophfronia Brown-Oden, the father of four children: Deborah, Beverly, Tina, and Ocie III, and a proud grandfather.

Pastor Emeritus Oden's academic journey began in the Fairfield City School System. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Theology from Birmingham (Easonian) Baptist Bible College. Furthering his studies, he earned a Master’s in Ministry from Birmingham Theological Seminary. Additionally, he is certified as a teacher and trainer for Evangelism Explosion International.

Pastor Emeritus Oden is a devoted born-again believer and steadfast follower of God's ordinances. He accepted the call to ministry in 1978, receiving ordination in 1979. In 1983, he returned to his home church, assuming pastoral duties at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he pastored until his retirement in 2023.

Renowned for his visionary leadership, Oden dedicated his career full-time to ministry. Under his guidance, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church expanded significantly, acquiring 26.13 acres in Fairfield, Alabama, and constructing a $1.6 million facility. He elevated the church's prominence within the Alabama Baptist State Convention, notably through support for the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Pastor Oden's outreach extended to Swaziland, South Africa, where he oversaw the establishment of a three-classroom school, affirming his commitment to international mission work.

Pastor Oden is an esteemed member of various religious and educational organizations, including the Peace Baptist District Association, Peace Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Northwest State Convention, Alabama Baptist State Convention, and the Birmingham Ministers Conference. He serves on the Board of the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College and the Executive Committee of the Foreign Mission Board of NBC, USA, Inc. His civic engagement extends to the Board of Commissioners of the Fairfield Housing Authority in Fairfield, Alabama