Moved by the Spirit of the Lord in 1983, Bishop Theodore E. Payne, Sr. accepted the call to ministry and has been preaching since 1987 as the Senior Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Restoration Ministries. Bishop Payne is known as a loving husband, father, grandfather, community advocate, gifted psalmist and most recently an author with his first published book entitled, “Restoring the Brokenness”. In 1974, Bishop Payne experienced healing which manifested physically and empowered him to preach the gospel in a more personal and relevant way.

Having a heart to see the lost come to Christ and the body of Christ strengthened in their understanding of the kingdom, Bishop Payne retired early from DuPont after 30 years of service, to focus on full time ministry and service to the church.  Through the guidance of Bishop Payne, Oak Grove has grown from 40 faithful members into a multi-cultural congregation.  In 2009, another part of his vision came to fruition with the opening of the King’s Academy which provides education for students’ Pre-K to 5th grade.

Bishop Payne is a member of the Potters House International Pastors Alliance (PHIPA) under the leadership and coverage of Bishop T.D. Jakes, and also covered under Bishop Eugene Reeves and the Eagles Rock Communion of Christian Leaders.  He is the past president of the Minister’s Alliance for churches in the Waynesboro, Staunton, and West Augusta areas where he served two terms.

Bishop Payne was consecrated in unbroken Apostolic Succession in the International Communion of Christian Churches (ICCC) under Archbishop Van Gayton and Bishop Eugene Reeves in April 2010.  Following a missionary journey to Kampala, Uganda, he now provides covering for Christian Evangelist Ministry with Rosemary Nansubuga as the Pastor.

Bishop Payne attended Lynchburg Virginia College, Virginia Union Theological School, and completed the mentorship program studies under Archbishop Van Gayton, and presiding Bishop Eugene Reeves.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bishop Payne is married to Gwendolyn Darnice Fitzpatrick Payne.  They have three sons and three daughters-in-love and a growing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

What is most important…He is seeking all directions and guidance from the Holy Spirit.