Dr. Antonio Bishop, Sr. is a native of Portsmouth, VA and a product of Portsmouth Public School system. After graduating from I.C. Norcom High School, he continued his education at Norfolk State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and in 1995 with a Master of Arts in Special Education. Dr. Bishop later recognized the call of God on his life decided to pursue an education in divinity. Dr. Bishop graduated in 1999 from Virginia Union School of Theology with a Master of Divinity Degree.
In May 1999, Dr. Bishop, along with his wife Angela, founded Anointed Word Ministries. This began as outreach ministries where people could receive counseling, teaching, and assistance with food, clothing, etc… Because of Dr. Bishop’s sincere belief that this ministry could be expanded, Anointed Word Ministries was organized and established into a church in 2001. In May 2001, Anointed Word Ministries held his first worship service.
Dr. Antonio Bishop Sr. continued to further his education to incorporate his education and experience into the vision he had for the people who come into contact with the ministry to become empowered, encouraged, and equipped to live a holistic life. In 2001, he matriculated a Master of Arts Degree in Urban Education and Counseling. This led to the completion of licensure in Substance Abuse Counseling in the state of Virginia. As the ministry began to grow, Dr. Bishop recognized the need to be educated in the operations of ministry. In 2004, he completed his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Christian Life School of Theology.
As Anointed Word Ministries grew, the needs of the members and the people within the community became demanding. The vision of the ministry was to provide goods and services to those in need. This lead to the development of Agape Church Outreach Community Development. This subsidiary allows the ministry to broaden its outreach and seek assistance from business and governmental agencies. Agape Outreach is striving to meet the needs of the community by providing food, clothing, counseling, and financial assistance to those in need. The vision includes services for children, youth, those with disabilities, and the elderly.
Dr. Bishop is the pastor at Anointed Word Ministries along with his wife Angela Marie Bishop, to whom he has been married to since September 1993. He and his wife are the proud parents of LaShawnda, Antonio Jr., Destiny, and James and grandfather of Shaniya Bishop.
