The Reverend Dr. Mark A. Lomax is the founding pastor of the First African Presbyterian Church of Lithonia, Georgia where he has served since 1993, and assistant professor of homiletics at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) where he has served since 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio; a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He served as pastor of the Davidson United Presbyterian Church in Davidson, North Carolina and the Westhills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia before accepting the call as a new church development from the New Church Development Commission of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery in March 1993. Dr. Lomax has served on various Presbytery and General Assembly committees and task forces, and as Interim President-Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. He is a published author who preaches and lectures and has ecumenical and interfaith appeal and experience.
In August 1991 the session and members of the former Salem Presbyterian Church elected to dissolve their congregation. At the stated fall meeting of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Salem Presbyterian Church’s petition to dissolve its membership was officially endorsed. The New Church Development Commission of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta subsequently decided to develop a new church on the Salem site.
In March 1993 the New Church Development Commission submitted a recommendation to the Presbytery’s Council that the Reverend Mark A. Lomax be called to serve the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta as a new church development pastor for “New” Salem Presbyterian Church.
Reverend Lomax arrived on the field on April 15, 1993 and began the work, along with committed family members, friends and a few former members of the dissolved Salem congregation, of evangelizing the community surrounding the church. The first worship service was held just two weeks later. Forty-eight of the seventy-three people present expressed interest in helping to develop a new congregation. A steering committee consisting of twelve people was immediately formed. The steering committee, in cooperation with Reverend Lomax and Minister Vanessa G. Knight, developed mission and vision statements and led the congregation through the process of selecting an appropriate name for the church. The steering committee also provided leadership in nominating and electing the very first class of elders for the emerging congregation.
On the second Sunday in December 1993, The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta issued an official charter to the new congregation. The name, “First African” was officially adopted by the congregation and the Reverend Mark A. Lomax was installed as pastor. Over the years First Afrikan Church has continued to grow, we cannot say what we will be when the cosmic curtain is closed on this age; but we know that God is shaping and molding us in accordance with the Divine will as together we continue fighting the beautiful fight of the faith.
Reverend Lomax arrived on the field on April 15, 1993 and began the work, along with committed family members, friends and a few former members of the dissolved Salem congregation, of evangelizing the community surrounding the church. The first worship service was held just two weeks later. Forty-eight of the seventy-three people present expressed interest in helping to develop a new congregation. A steering committee consisting of twelve people was immediately formed. The steering committee, in cooperation with Reverend Lomax and Minister Vanessa G. Knight, developed mission and vision statements and led the congregation through the process of selecting an appropriate name for the church. The steering committee also provided leadership in nominating and electing the very first class of elders for the emerging congregation.
On the second Sunday in December 1993, The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta issued an official charter to the new congregation. The name, “First African” was officially adopted by the congregation and the Reverend Mark A. Lomax was installed as pastor. Over the years First Afrikan Church has continued to grow, we cannot say what we will be when the cosmic curtain is closed on this age; but we know that God is shaping and molding us in accordance with the Divine will as together we continue fighting the beautiful fight of the faith.
If you would like to know more about First Afrikan, we welcome you to come experience our mission first hand; sunday services begin at 10am and you are officially invited! If you would like to get in on the discussion of our teaching and learning, feel free to attend any of our 7pm Wednesday night study classes guided by one of our church leaders and hosted by CFABS, the Center For Afrikan Biblical Studies. For more information on these and other opportunities to be a part of this movement, email us at fapc@firstafrikanchurch.org.
