Desk of the Bishop

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Diocesan Bishop J.D. Guthrie

Bishop J. D. Guthrie is the founding pastor of the First Apostolic Ministries in East Point, Georgia. He is the Diocesan Bishop of the 30^th Episcopal District, the State of Georgia, where he oversees more than 50 churches and ministries. He is also the former Diocesan of the 60^th Episcopal District, the Western Cape Province and Cape Town, South Africa, for over 24 years. He remains an influential leader in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Bishop Guthrie currently serves on the Global Evangelism Committee and is also a member of the Executive Bishops Counsel of the PAW.

After receiving his degree in Airline Management from the Atlantic Flight School in Kansas City, Missouri, he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to Chicago, Illinois and continued his education at various institutions of higher learning. Additionally, he completed studies at Atlanta Christian College (now Point University), Pentecostal Bible College and earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from St. Thomas Christian University.

In Chicago, Bishop Guthrie served faithfully in the Morgan Park Assembly Church under the leadership of the late District Elder Herbert C. Moore. Bishop Guthrie also served in the Chicago community as Assistant Chaplain at the Joliet State Prison where he counseled and ministered to prison inmates until he and his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia.

His dedication is not limited to the local assembly, but he served faithfully in many capacities in the Georgia State Council, as well as in the the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (PAW). He was a member of the International Missions Board for more than 20 years, serving as the Board’s Assistant Treasurer, Acting Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman before the Bishop Board of the PAW promoted him to the office of Bishop. During his years of service on the International Missions Board, he traveled to the Caribbean, South America, Dominica, Brazil, Europe and South Africa.

In addition to his pastoral and missionary work, Bishop Guthrie serves his community as a chaplain with the Fulton County Georgia’s Sheriff’s Office. He is a former member and Vice Chairman of the Board of South Fulton Medical Center. He was honored by receiving the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards in 2015.

Progressive, visionary, and committed to the building of God’s Kingdom and the development of God’s people. Bishop Guthrie has labored in the pastorate for over 39 years. His greatest contribution is the example his life displays. He takes his roles as husband, bishop, pastor, father and grandfather to heart, and lives his life so others can see God in him.

Bishop Guthrie is married to the lovely Lady Marsha Ladd-Guthrie, 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.