Antioch Progressive Church has stood on Amherst Street in Sacramento's Meadowview neighborhood since 1985, gathering a Bible-based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-led congregation of Baptists who believe that worship, discipleship, and practical service to neighbors belong together. From its first service on December 4 of that year to its current rhythm of Sunday worship, midweek prayer, Thursday Bible study, and a busy calendar of community ministries, Antioch has built its identity on a single phrase: "God is our Sponsor."
"God Is Our Sponsor": A Church Born in Prayer and Fasting
The Antioch story begins with 55 believers who, through prayer and fasting, sought a church that would be different, not bound by tradition, but firmly anchored in God's Word. They held their first worship service on December 4, 1985, and a year later, in October 1986, God called Dr. Curtis J. Mitchell, Ph.D., as founding pastor. For the next 38 years, Pastor Mitchell shepherded Antioch with a vision to "glorify God" and to "make and grow healthy disciples for the Kingdom of God," teaching the congregation to "build ministries, not programs" and to trust that "the Will of God will not lead us where the Grace of God will not keep us."
Under his leadership, Antioch grew into a church that not only worships together but also serves its community in tangible ways. Among the nonprofits birthed from this vision was the Nehemiah Corporation of America, which helped thousands of families become homeowners and made possible the financing of Antioch's Family Life Center. Dr. Mitchell also served on the Sacramento County Department of Health Task Force on AIDS, the Chief of Police Task Force on Youth Gangs, the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries, and provided church-consulting guidance through the American Baptist Churches of the West. He entered his eternal rest on March 12, 2023, leaving a legacy that continues to shape Antioch today.
A Second-Generation Pastor at the Pulpit
Antioch's current Senior Pastor, Don F. Harris, is the son of the late Dr. Curtis J. Mitchell and the late Sister Kay T. Mitchell. He responded to God's call as a teenager and preached his first sermon at age 13 at Christ Missionary Baptist Church in his hometown of Marion, Ohio, before being ordained at Antioch at age 25. A 1987 graduate of Wittenberg University and a 1991 graduate of the University of California, Davis, Martin Luther King, Jr. School of Law, Pastor Harris was named a Harry S. Truman Presidential Scholar and later recognized as Distinguished Alumni of the Class of 1991 by UC Davis Law.
At Antioch, Pastor Harris became the church's first Assistant Pastor and later its first Executive Pastor. He is also the founder of the Nehemiah Corporation of America, recognized by Fast Company magazine and Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network, whose Nehemiah Down Payment Assistance Program helped more than 300,000 families across the United States achieve homeownership. He has served on numerous boards, including the UC Davis Community Advisory Board, the Greater Sacramento Urban League, Goodwill Industries of Northern California, the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA), and the Christian Community Development Association, and is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum. He is married to Letty Harris and lives out the conviction that "the work I've done speak for me."
Associate Ministers Rev. Curtis Davis and his wife, Sister Rose Davis, and Rev. Kenny Fonville and his wife, Sister Carolyn Fonville, round out the pastoral team, supporting Pastoral Care, Discipleship, and the wider life of the church.
Vision, Mission, and the Church Covenant
Antioch's stated vision is "100-Year continuity of ministry meeting the needs of the community for an abundant life in Christ," while its mission is "to meet the community's spiritual, emotional, and physical needs by making and growing healthy disciples." Members join together through a written covenant that pledges, with God's help, to walk together in Christian love, strengthen the church in faith and unity, sustain its worship and doctrine, give cheerfully and regularly, maintain family and private devotions, guide children in the faith, seek the salvation of the lost, and live honorably in the world, abstaining from practices that harm the body, damage witness, or cause others to stumble.
The covenant also commits members to watch over one another in brotherly love, remember one another in prayer, bear one another's burdens, and be quick to forgive and seek reconciliation. Should a member be called away, they pledge to unite with another church of like faith and practice so that the spirit of the covenant may live on wherever they go.
The 12 Value Stones of Antioch
Rather than a single statement of faith, Antioch distills its beliefs into 12 "Value Stones," each anchored in Scripture. The church believes that the anointed teaching of God's Word is a catalyst for transformation (Romans 12:7; 2 Timothy 3:16) and that all people matter to God and to the church (Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15:11-32). Antioch seeks to remain doctrinally pure while remaining relevant (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) and expects continuous growth from every Christ-follower (Ephesians 4:25-26; Philippians 1:6).
The congregation believes the church should operate as a unified community of servants in which men and women steward their spiritual gifts (Romans 12:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-12), and that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life (1 Corinthians 13; John 13:34-35). Life-change happens where relationships are built (Luke 6:12-13; Acts 2:44-47), men and women should lead with servant leadership (Luke 6:13; 2 Timothy 2:2), and full devotion to Christ and His cause is the normal Christian life (Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians 8:7).
Finally, Antioch holds that serving is a privilege that honors Christ (Luke 22:25-27), that God has given His church spiritual authority over the forces of evil (Matthew 13:24-30; Ephesians 2:2), and that the church should pursue these things with excellence and integrity in the same Spirit that filled those who built the tabernacle in Exodus 35:31-32.
Sunday in Sacramento: Sunday School and Worship
The week centers on Sunday. Sunday School meets from 8:30 to 9:30 AM in Rooms 8/9 and the Conference Room, giving adults and children a place to study the Bible together before the main service. Sunday Morning Worship begins at 10:00 AM, with the service streamed live on the Antioch Facebook page at facebook.com/apcsac for those who cannot attend in person. The worship is described as heartfelt, with practical teaching from God's Word and warm fellowship, and visitors are welcomed with a simple invitation: come as you are, no dress code, no pressure, just real people seeking a real relationship with God.
Sermons are preached almost entirely by Pastor Don F. Harris and are archived on the church's Sermon Resources page, where written outlines and prayer guides (such as "Any Time I Find Solitude: A Helpful Way to Pray in 2026" and the Advent outline "For Us") can be downloaded as PDFs. Recent sermons are also embedded as videos on YouTube at youtube.com/@APCsac.
Wednesdays on the Prayer Line and Thursdays in Bible Study
For those who cannot make it to the building midweek, Antioch maintains a Prayer-Praise-Thanksgiving Line every Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Anyone can join by calling 520-453-8793, and the hour is dedicated to lifting up prayers of praise and thanksgiving together by phone.
On Thursdays, the church gathers for a Bible Study on Prayer from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 5. The study draws on trusted voices such as Tony Evans, E.M. Bounds, and John Maxwell, and is designed for both newcomers to prayer and lifelong believers who want to go deeper. Participants can expect meaningful discussion centered on Scripture, practical insights on strengthening their prayer lives, and a welcoming environment to connect and pray with others.
Creative Arts and Music Ministry: Raising Creative Voices
One of Antioch's most distinctive ministries is the Creative Arts and Music Ministry, known as CAMM. Led by Dr. Sylvester White, CAMM exists to raise creative voices that make disciples, transform lives, and influence the community for the glory of God. The ministry is built on seven pillars: Worship First, Discipleship and Spiritual Growth, Excellence with Purpose, Unity and Collaboration, Development and Stewardship of Gifts, Community Impact, and Creativity with Kingdom Influence. Each pillar pairs with Scripture: John 4:24 for worship, Matthew 28:19-20 for discipleship, Colossians 3:23 for excellence, Psalm 133:1 for unity, 1 Peter 4:10 for stewardship, Matthew 5:16 for community impact, and Genesis 1:27 for creativity.
Camm includes a Music Ministry (Worship Team, Choir Ministry, Band and Musicians, and Songwriting Team), a Creative Arts Ministry (Drama and Theater, Dance Ministry, Spoken Word and Poetry, Creative Writing and Content, and Costume and Wardrobe), and a Media and Production Ministry (Audio, Visual and Lighting, Video and Live Stream, and Graphics and Content). A Creative Arts Institute offers vocal training, musicianship, songwriting workshops, production and audio training, and spiritual formation, while a Recording and Content Ministry captures and distributes the church's original music and creative content. The ministry also hosts a Worship and Arts Conference for training and inspiration, and its ongoing production of "The Messiah: The Promise Still Remains" invites singers from the wider community to take part.
MOSAIC: A Multitude of Sisters Abounding in Christ
The MOSAIC Women's Ministry, Multitude of Sisters Abounding in Christ, inspired by 1 Thessalonians 4:1, welcomes women across generations to grow spiritually, share wisdom, and walk alongside one another in faith. Led by Rissa Scott, MOSAIC hosts gatherings, study opportunities, and fellowship events throughout the year, with the goal of building bridges one generation to another.
The broader Fellowship Ministry, led by Sis. Mary Ford, also includes a Men's Ministry led by Deacon Matthew Bryant, which gathers the men of Antioch for breakfast, games, basketball in the newly renovated gym, an inspirational word, and fellowship on Second Saturdays each month from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The Antioch Family Life Center: Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Service to neighbors is woven into Antioch's weekly schedule. The Community Food Pantry operates every Tuesday as an auxiliary distribution site for Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, with sign-in from 8:30 to 10:00 AM and distribution from 11:45 AM to 3:00 PM. Clients arrive by last name (A-F at 8:30 AM, G-L at 9:00 AM, M-R at 9:30 AM, S-Z at 10:00 AM), remain in their vehicles until their number is called, and receive bagged or boxed food. The pantry serves the Meadowview and South Sacramento area and is provided as a drive-up service with social distancing and mask protocols in place.
The Community Clothes Closet follows a steady Saturday rhythm. Donations of clean, gently used clothing are accepted on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with weekday drop-offs available by appointment through the church office. Community Giveaway Days, when clothing is distributed free to neighbors, take place on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Pastoral Care: Grief, Cancer, and the Keep In Touch Ministry
Pastoral Care at Antioch, led by Rev. Curtis Davis, provides spiritual encouragement, comfort, prayer, and compassionate support during times of need. Specialized teams include a Bereavement Ministry, the Prayer Line, Sick and Shut-in visits, a Nurses Ministry, a Cancer Support Group for patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members, and a Grief Coaching ministry led by Renita Crump that offers individual sessions, group support, biblical encouragement, and practical tools for healing.
Keep In Touch (KIT), led by Charles Shaw, ensures that members who are homebound or away from the church remain connected through calls, notes, and visits.
Investing in the Next Generation: Youth and Scholarships
The Youth Ministry, led by Jerist Roberts, creates opportunities for young people to grow in faith, build community, serve others, and participate in meaningful church life through youth programming, discipleship, outreach, and special events. Antioch also maintains a robust scholarships page that connects students with a range of local opportunities, including the David Covin Scholarship Fund (a $500 award for graduating high school seniors), the Lauren Hammond Memorial Fund Scholarship, the Finer Womanhood Scholarship, the Sigma Gamma Rho Scholarship, the Elk Grove Alumnae Chapter Scholarship, the Sacramento Alumnae Chapter Scholarship, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship Program. Each scholarship page lists eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application links or downloadable forms.
Leadership Structure and Cell-Based Ministry
Antioch's leadership rests on a biblical model of shepherding, equipping, and servant leadership. The Senior Pastor provides overall spiritual oversight; the Executive Pastor oversees operations and administration; Elders provide spiritual accountability and policy direction; Deacons serve as servant leaders meeting the spiritual, physical, and material needs of members; and Lay Ministry Leaders oversee specific ministry areas.
Ministry is organized into seven Cells (Administrative, Worship, Christian Education, Fellowship, Pastoral Care, Outreach and Evangelism, and Membership), each led by a Cell Leader appointed by the Senior Pastor. This structure supports Antioch's Administration Ministry (which includes Decorating, Events/Programs, AP Cuisine led by Lisa Rasberry, Security/Safety led by Reggie Robinson, and Ushers led by Girtha Davis), its Outreach and Evangelism Ministry (with Food Distribution led by Jeanine Dinsmore), and its Membership Ministry (Intake, New Member's Orientation, and Empowerment, led by Sis. La Cherryal Veal).
Joining the Antioch Family
Visitors who feel led to make Antioch their church home can complete a membership form online, while those who have not actively attended or supported the church in the last three years may request a reinstatement of their membership through a separate form. Both forms are processed through the church office at info@antiochpc.org or (916) 665-2600. The church also offers online giving through Shelby Giving, livestream worship on Facebook, and archived sermons and resources for those who want to follow along from home. Antioch's ministries serve Sacramento, South Sacramento, Meadowview, Greenhaven-Pocket, and Elk Grove, and all are welcome to worship, learn, and serve.