Elder Antoinio R. Wood, Sr. was born to Jessie B. Verdell-Wood and Charlie Wood, Jr. on March 18, 1963 in Baltimore, MD. He attended school in Lexington, NC and graduated from Lexington Senior High School in 1981.  After High School, Elder Wood joined the United States Army where he served from 1982 to 1992 as a Military Police Officer and Reservist.  

 

In 1992, God called Elder Wood into the Ministry to not only Preach God’s Word but to also love His people. He believes that to love God’s people, we must first have a relationship with God.  He also believes that preaching is a calling and not a job. One of his favorite quotes he often shares with others written by Professor William L. Phelps of Yale University states that, “I Thoroughly believe in a University Education; I Believe Knowledge of the Bible without a College Course is more Valuable than a College Course without the Bible”. With this, Elder Wood is not only devoted to Preaching the Word but also Teaching the Word and letting God’s Word be seen in our lives, in our actions and not just in our words.  

 

On October 27, 2005, Elder Wood was Licensed into the Ministry under the leadership of Dr. Herbert L. Dickerson, Pastor of Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Durham, NC. He was later ordained as an Elder on March 19, 2016 by Bishop Craig T. Campbell of Gethsemane Ministries in Raleigh, NC.

 

He has received a Certification in Training in Anti-Crime & Incarceration from Cross of Christ Ministries and Wake Missionary Baptist Association by the Reverend Dr. Michael R. Smith, Sr. He has also received a Certification in Disciple Bible Outreach by Dr. Mark C. Hicks. He has served as a volunteer in the North Carolina Prison Systems both Federal and Youth Camps for over 14 years where he leads Worship Services, teach Bible Study classes and provide one on one Spiritual Counseling for inmates not only in Prison but when they are released.  He is also affiliated with the Durham and Wake County Criminal Justice Resource Council.  

 

Elder Wood attended North Carolina Theological Seminary School in Clinton, NC where he obtained a bachelors degree in Theology. He also attended Kingdom Builders School of Theology where he received his Master of Divinity in June 2023.

 

On September 13, 2003, God Blessed Elder Wood with not only a wife, but a Godly wife that would stand with him and pray over him. For God knew he needed someone that understood the calling he had on his life in the Ministry.  

 

They have been blessed with a daughter, Minister Tonika Holloway of Freedom Ministries, Raeford, NC., a son, Antoinio R. Wood, Jr., Baltimore, MD and and four beautiful grandchildren.

 

On April 18, 2004, being led by God, Elder Wood and First Lady Marva Wood rededicated themselves to God by being Baptized together as a Covenant to God and to themselves as they continued to walk their spiritual journey that God placed them on for this glorious day.

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                                                                                                     “IF GOD SENDS ME, I WILL GO”