History

Introduction
All God’s Anointed People Evangelizing (A.G.A.P.E.) developed from the efforts of several people who desired to meet the expressed need for a campus ministry that is sensitive to the African-American students. The Organization of Black Students, Student Affairs, and Chris Fuller, director of BSU started the process by first selecting a minister, Dr. Dave Wilcoxson, to act as Associate Director to guide this unique ministry to birth. Dr. Wilcoxson then made a request to all students at Mercer University for anyone interested in being a part of this new campus ministry. Five freshmen, Antworne Spann, Shayla Crosby, Marshall Mabry, Urleaka Woodard, and Daniele Fleming responded.

The Beginning of A.G.A.P.E.: The Five Charter Members
The five freshmen who responded to Dr. Wilcoxson’s request served in a wide capacity. Minister Antworne Spann was selected as president, contact person, and along with Minister Marshall Mabry, a speaker for A.G.A.P.E. services. Daniele Fleming supplied music and the five charter members served as the praise team. Various Mercer students, area churches, and other groups with musical talent rendered special selections. Services were held on Friday nights in room 314 of Connell Student Center which started with a piano and a podium. The average attendance was twenty.

By the second semester, the ministry was flourishing in the grace of God. Average attendance went up to thirty. Assistance from Dr. Wilcoxson, Chris Fuller, and BSU allowed A.G.A.P.E. to purchase equipment that better enabled the ministry to reach out to the Mercer University and Macon community, as well as abroad.

A Flourishing Ministry
The 1999-2000 school year opened up many doors and ideas to the new direction that God was leading A.G.A.P.E. Services were now held in Ware Music Hall on Monday nights at 8:30 pm. Inspiring ministries were developed such as the Liturgical Dance Team headed by Shayla Crosby, the Poetry Ministry headed by Quentin Stubbs, Intercessory Prayer headed by Antworne Spann, Bible Study chartered by Urleaka Woodard, the Praise Ensemble directed by Daniele Fleming, and the A.G.A.P.E. newsletter. The 2000-2001 school year brought new additions and services were held in Newton Chapel. A step team, Soul Steppin’ Souljahs (Triple S), was established, and there were expansions to the dance ministry and praise team with musician Keith Young. The president of three years, Antworne Spann resigned, and Kimberly Brown led the ministry into a new year and building, The Religious Life Center.

Love Week
During the month of February ‘99, A.G.A.P.E. established an event called Love Week that would unify all the campus ministries at Mercer in evangelizing and winning souls for Christ. A.G.A.P.E. along with BSU, Campus Harvest, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and RUF joined together in the sharing of one another’s styles in worship, fellowship and ministry. The week concluded with an A.G.A.P.E. service with Mm. Paul Johnson as the guest speaker and our “sister” campus ministry, Radicals in Christ Ministries of Georgia Southern University. The following April, we joined R.I.C. Ministries for their Inspiration ‘99. Love Week has been continued each February and has featured such guests as Pastor Johnathan Alvarado of Total Grace, West GA College & State Univ. Choir, Minister Joseph Flippin of Morehouse College, and Pastor Shane Lam.

Keepin' On
All God’s Anointed People Evangelizing continues to grow and develop into a bigger and better instrument to be used by Christ. A.G.A.P.E. services are still at 8:00pm on every Monday that classes are in session for the fall and spring semesters, and are seeking to draw increasing numbers of the diverse Mercer community.