Bishop Donald E. Battle, one of today’s most influential Christian leaders, is a dynamic and anointed preacher of God’s Word. His practical style of preaching is marked by a unique blend of inspiration, challenge and humor that has touched the lives of many who are encouraged to pursue God’s best for their lives. A native of Fairfield, Alabama, Bishop Battle met and married his high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Pastor Gwen Battle. To their union, they have been blessed with three beautiful daughters, Pastor TaVondria Battle (Vonnie B), Jamie Howard and Christin Smith, all of whom work diligently within the ministry.

 

Bishop Donald and Gwen Battle are also blessed with seven grandchildren. Bishop Battle served 6 years in the U.S Army and a total of 15 years in Georgia law enforcement as a police detective for the City of Atlanta. Despite his great success in the law enforcement arena, Bishop Battle could not ignore God’s calling on his life. In 1990, out of obedience and the profound guidance of the Holy Spirit, he and his wife Pastor Gwen founded Divine Faith Baptist Church, now known as Divine Faith Ministries International (DFMI), with locations in Jonesboro, Barnesville, McDonough and Suwanee, Georgia. Under his leadership, unfailing dedication and steadfast commitment, God has abundantly blessed the ministry and DFMI has experienced unprecedented membership growth from 60 people in 1990 to a current membership of over 8,000. Bishop Battle graduated from Georgia State University, with a B.S. in criminal justice. To his educational merit he also holds a Master of Divinity and an honorary doctorate degree.

 

As a visionary leader equipping disciples for Christ, his genuine love for people, pursuit of personal holiness and integrity, combined with sound biblical preaching, and teaching have characterized his successful and flourishing pastorate; a result of which has afforded him the opportunity to minister throughout the U.S. and abroad. Through Joseph’s Warehouse Outreach ministry, DFMI has become the number one distributor of food and clothing in Clayton County and surrounding communities.

 

Bishop Battle respects the mantle of great leadership especially that of his spiritual father and mentor, Pastor Rod Parsley, world-renowned pastor of World Harvest Church and Breakthrough Ministries in Columbus, Ohio. Under Pastor Parsley’s tutelage, Bishop Battle served as South East Regional Director (Georgia and Florida) for World Harvest Church Ministerial Fellowship. He also served the Fellowship as National Director.

 

In 2010, under the leading of the Holy Spirit and in an effort to bring together a covenant fellowship among pastors and leaders, Bishop Battle founded the International Covenant Christian Churches (i3C) ministerial fellowship. The launch of i3C School of Biblical Studies in Fall 2018, will offer educational programs online as well as on-site to equip leaders to be better prepared for ministry. Bishop Battle’s commitment to the ministry and community empowerment, growth and development are evident in his local associations. His ecclesiastical affiliations include serving as Senior Pastor of DFMI and President of i3C. He is a true community leader and, remarkably, still finds time to serve as Chaplain for Clayton County Police Department among other things. He has served as president of the Policy Action Committee for the Association of Christian Ministers of Clayton County. Under his leadership, the Clayton County Public Schools’ Mentorship Forum was established. The forum includes County business leaders, state court judges, politicians and pastors who serve as advisers to assist high school students with establishing and realizing their goals. Bishop Battle also led the charge to establish a youth offenders program in Clayton County that encourages state court judges to get the churches involved with the young adult offenders’ community service program.

 

Bishop Battle’s message of faith and belief that with God ALL things are possible is what gives him the fervor and fortitude to preach the gospel with boldness! This awesome man of God continues to speak life to the lost and hope to the broken-hearted and will not stop until he has impacted the world for Jesus Christ!

 

To book Bishop Donald E. Battle for your organization or ministry event, please contact Elder Verna Walsh via email at: vwalsh@divinefaith.org.