Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonio Mcguire.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Antonio McGuire and in July of 2020, I was appointed to McIntosh Chapel C.M.E. church in Grand Prairie by Bishop Lawrence Reddick of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. I accepted my calling into the ministry in 2000 and I have enjoyed preaching and teaching the word of God while also counseling and coaching members, co-workers, and friends in various areas of their lives. I truly enjoy mentoring and inspiring people to see themselves in a positive way in spite of their current or past conditions or situations. My initial objective is to introduce souls to Jesus Christ and to present a case to believe in Him for eternal salvation. But as I ministered to people, I began to discover that many individuals needed more than just a prayer, they needed food, shelter, or some other resource that would help them to get out of the hardship that they had currently found themselves in. I understood that people needed direction for their souls, but now I see that my neighbors also need what I call ‘right now’ help; assistance with the shortfalls of what they are going through ‘right now’. This has ignited a fire in my spirit to somehow improve the living conditions of as many individuals as I possibly can. With the pandemic was at its peak in 2020 and since we were not allowed to have public gatherings, my wife Pat McGuire and I, along with my children Barbara and Bobby, had no idea of how to build ministries or minister to the needs of the community in our new church home. This was a situation that none of us had seen before so we had to get creative to try and have church outside the walls of the sanctuary. This led us to join up with a shoe giveaway for back to school hosted by Larry Curry and Metro Sports Fieldhouse. From this event, we met and partnered with several ministries in the area that shared our passion for outreach. Organizations like Lunch Box of Love, Brittney’s Backpacks, AH100 City’s Ministries, Abigayle Initiative, Sonya’s Glitz and Glamour, Divine Destiny Resource Center, Ft. Worth Five Loaves and 2 fish, Making It Count, Inc., Segue Living Center, and Quinn’s Kitchen are just a few of the awesome ministries that I have been blessed to work with. Collectively, we have all combined to cloth, feed, and offer temporary housing to thousands of individuals who may only need a small amount of help to get their lives back on track and to bring a level of normalcy to their families.
My mission here at McIntosh Chapel is to lead our church to partner with as many non-profits as we can to help as many people and families as we can to be victorious in life. This success will be built working with passionate givers who want to see others succeed in their finances, their health, and in the education of themselves and their families. Our goal here at McIntosh Chapel is to improve the spiritual health, mental health, and economical health of as many individuals as we possibly can.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The most obtrusive obstacle has no doubt been the pandemic. It has caused many of those that desired to help others not want to due to the threat of illness or even death. But at the same time, the pandemic has given those of us looking to make a difference in the metroplex a center stage. There are so many people needing help and those of us that claim to want to help has the perfect opportunity to make good on that calling.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been an employee of UPS since May of 1991. I have worked in the warehouse, been a delivery driver, and even worked on the air ramp with the incoming and outgoing freight aircraft. I have been blessed to receive numerous awards such as employee of the month, perfect attendance, safety recognition, and safe driver awards. I have also received several corporate recognition awards for going above and beyond my responsibility.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As far as ministry is concerned, I think the need for help is only going to become much more apparent. This is going to require the different organizations to coordinate their efforts to implement a synchronized battle strategy to combat all the different levels of need in our communities. If there is no help for those in need, then the need will drive individuals to solve their problems in other ways that may be harmful to them or their loved ones and neighbors.
Contact Info:
- Email: mcintoshchapel@gmail.com
- Website: McIntoshChapel.com
- Instagram: #returnofthemac
- Facebook: McIntosh Chapel
