Antioch names Sledge as pastor

Antioch Baptist Church pastor Adrian D. Sledge has already made history as one of the youngest leaders of Culpeper’s oldest black church.

At 37, the San Antonio, Texas native, who resides in Woodbridge, is the 11th pastor of the 147-year-old church with a storied past.

Officially organized in the town of Culpeper in 1865 following the American Civil War, Antioch’s first congregation met at an abandoned Confederate barracks near the Depot, according to the church’s history. Before that, Antioch had ties to the African Church in conjunction with the Mount Pony Baptist Church, which started in 1859.

“I’m very honored to be a part of this,” said Sledge, sitting in his office on Sunday. “I love history so to have an opportunity to be a part of history is an honor.”

As leader of Antioch, Sledge hopes to guide the congregation in the “direction God has already set forth in Matthew 28:10.”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” according to the scripture.

According to Antioch trustee Pat Banks, Antioch, located on South West Street in downtown Culpeper, has about 300 members with about 115 attending regularly every Sunday.

Since former Antioch pastor Rev. Milton L. Branch, Sr., 63, left the church in March 2010 to start his own ministry, Antioch was without a permanent preacher for nearly two years.

Rev. Sledge delivered his first sermon at Antioch on Dec. 4. Before Antioch, Sledge served as supply pastor of New Chestnut Baptist Church in Mechanicsville for nearly two years. He credits Rev. O.C. Jones, of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark., as one of the most influential people who inspired his spiritual career. By the way Jones, will serve as guest pastor at Antioch on March 11 during an installation service at 3:30 p.m. for Rev. Sledge.

Banks, a longtime member of Antioch, said the congregation is just as pleased and excited to welcome Sledge as the new pastor.

“You can just feel the positive energy,” she added. “He has a very open-door policy. He interacts and works with us.”

As pastor of Antioch, Sledge plans to introduce the marriage ministry “Strong Bonds” to the Culpeper community.

“I pray that this ministry strengthens marriages and relationships throughout the community,” said Sledge.

Sledge considers the priority of his spiritual relationships in this order: God, his wife and the church.

“The church grows as I grow. If I don’t grow personally, the church [doesn’t] grow because I’m the leader. And you only grow as much as your leader grows. I’m not perfect, but I’m doing my best. My personal relationship with God always precedes my pastoral relationship with the church.”

Sledge, who works as a civilian logistic management specialist for the Department of the Army, attributes his leadership skills to 16 years of service in the United States Army.

“It showed me the importance of a team. The Army is where I learned how to be a good leader. It also helped me become a good decision maker,” said Sledge.

Sledge earned his associate’s degree in military technology from Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, Ark., in 2009; his bachelor’s degree in religion from American Military University in W.Va in 2010 and is working toward his master’s degree in human service: marriage and family counseling at Liberty University. Additionally, Sledge holds certifications in religious studies and pastoral care from Evans Smith Institute at Virginia Union School of Theology.

He’s married to Ronica, who works as a customer service representative for Comcast, and they have blended family that includes: Brittany, 22, Brandyn, 21, Brandie, 19, LaTrell, 16, Darian, 12, Keturah, 13, Karland, 12, Knyriah, 9 and Jonas, 2.

Antioch’s pastors through the years

Rev. Harrison Blair

Rev. Welsh Blair

Rev. Samuel Toliver

Rev. Willis J. Madden

Rev. Isador Richards

Rev. William E. Barrett

Rev. Robert C. Davis

Rev. Howard Anderson

Rev. Ulysses Martin

Rev. Rev. Milton L. Branch, Sr.

Rev. Adrian D. Sledge