MEET OUR PASTOR
Pastor Arthur L. Powell was born in Valdosta, Georgia and later became a native of Decatur, Georgia. The Lord saved Rev. Powell in 1972 and called him to the Gospel Ministry in 1974. The first sermon he preached was taken from the books of Psalms 25:2 and the title was “Lord Let Me Not Be Ashamed". Pastor Powell was ordained by the Thankful Baptist Church in 1979.
He has served as Pastor of the Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Morrow, Georgia, since 1986. By the grace of God, under Pastor Powell's leadership the congregation has grown to over 1500 members and over 40 ministries. Pastor Powell had a vision of a new church. In 1992 the church purchased seven acres of land on Rex Road. Through many prayers, the dedication of a faithful building committee and a committed church family, Pastor Powell's visions became a reality when the new building, with an educational wing, was built.
In July 1999, Pastor Powell led the congregation as they marched in the new edifice. June 16, 2004, through much faith the church opened a Christian Bookstore (Genesis Christian Bookstore). In February 2009, Pastor Powell’s vision of a Community Life Center came to past when the Church held the Grand Opening Ceremony inside the Family Life Center.
Pastor Powell attended Morehouse College and graduated from Dekalb College and Carver Bible College. Pastor Powell is the past President of the Association of Christian Ministers of Clayton County with a membership of 10,000. He is a life time member of the Clayton County NAACP. He is also a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Pastor is the past Moderator of The Hopewell Baptist Association.
In 2012 Pastor Powell received the Heritage Legacy Award for his unending dedication to ACMCC and he also received the 2003 Pastors Gospel Choice Award. In 2015 Pastor Powell received The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity from American Bible University. Also the Pillar Award in Ministry from The Good Sheppard Center of Morrow, GA. Pastor Powell has received many other recognitions and awards throughout his Ministry. Rev. Powell and First Lady Powell have one daughter, Adrian. Pastor Powell currently resides in the Henry County area with his wife, Dianne.