Dr. C. Lee Hagwood Sr. serves as the founding Episcopal Prelate and Senior Pastor of Agape Bible Christian Fellowship since 2001 in Martinsville, Virginia. He has more than 35 years of ministerial experience in congregational, military and academic settings. Being mentored by notable pastors and professors in various ministry specialties since his call to ministry in 1986.
In 2019 Dr. Hagwood lead the 17 year congregation to walk by faith and favor to acquire the nearly new 20,000 sq. ft. sanctuary and facilities, that nestled upon 26 acre mountain in Villa Heights. This was a God provision that was prophesied by Dr. Hagwood during the watch-night celebration on January 1, 2017, according to Luke 1:45, that declares, "You are blessed, because You believed that the Lord would do (just) what He said!"
On the 4th Sunday in August 2018, Agape Bible Christian Fellowship humbly received God's gracious present from Villa Heights Baptist Church during a combined celebration service. It was the desire of the Villa Heights Baptist Church to see all of the facilities and properties to be transferred to a church congregation who loved God and desired to continue the mission of the church in the community.
On Wednesday 30 January 2019, the deed of the church was officially signed, and Agape Bible Christian Fellowship celebrated in a testimony and praise service, how Almighty God had demonstrated His victorious validation upon Agape Bible Christian Fellowship under the Leadership of Dr. & Mrs. C. Lee Hagwood Sr. Great acknowledgement is extended especially to Brother C.J. and Elder James Hagwood, along with the tremendous leadership ministry team and disciples with all of their support and love towards help making the vision a promise land of God! (Deuteronomy 6:11)
On Sunday 25 August 2019, Agape Bible Christian Fellowship celebrated with a dedication service for the sanctuary, facilities and properties were given by God. A maximum capacity congregation witnessed on this dedication how God sustain a church plant with a vision, so the light of AGAPE would shine in our community and world, so people ouldl see our good works, and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Dr. Hagwood cumulated his practice of ministry with academic validation in 2008. He earned the Doctor of Ministry in Renewal of the Church for Mission from the Eastern University’s Palmer Theological Seminary. The 175 page dissertation entitled “Transforming The Transplanted: Developing Leaders Through Vision Discovery,” was the result of a five year endeavor of creating contemporary approaches to accomplish effective ministry in a traditional community.
Also Dr. Hagwood has served as an Assistant Professor of Ministry at Carolina Evangelical Divinity School and Adjunct Instructor of Religion and Humanities at Danville Community College. Dr. Hagwood is a three-time honorable discharged retired veteran and WoundedWarrior who was deployed in Afghanistan and Kuwait with the U.S. Army as a garrison chaplain with distinction in OIF/OEF campaigns. He serves as a contributing writer for the Progressive National Baptist Convention, “The Worker,” a quarterly educational devotional and the Martinsville Bulletin’s “From the Pulpit.” Dr. Hagwood has two other published works “The Rural Approach to Evangelism with Family and Friends and A Pastoral Call for Discipleship by Developing Fishers of Men.”
Other academic and ministry accomplishments include a first professional degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary the Master of Divinity in Evangelism and Church Growth; an undergraduate degree from Columbia International University in Bible and Pastoral Ministry. Dr. Hagwood was licensed and ordained by Haskell Heights First Baptist Church through the Mt. Hebron Progressive Baptist Association. Since his call to pastoral ministry in October 1986 at Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, West Germany he has served as a Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, Minister of Christian Education, Minister of Music, Youth Minister, Hospital Chaplain, Police Chaplain and Student of Ministry.
Dr. Hagwood was appointed in 2010 to serve as a member of President Obama’s Fatherhood Imitative Forum and Roundtable Discussions in partnership with the Veteran’s Administration. In 2013 to present serves as member of the Advisory Commission of Ordination District of Columbia Baptist Convention; 2007-2014 serves as Executive Board member of the District Columbia Baptist Convention. In 1999-2001 served as Vice-President, 1997-1999 served as Regional Vice-President for the Division of Clergy in the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. In 1997 served as the president of the Martinsville and Henry County Ministerial Association. In 1996-2002 served on the Board of Directors American Red Cross.
Dr. Hagwood and his wife Lealice have four sons from their union of 41 years who are believers and serve in ministry. All four sons are graduates of Liberty University. The Hagwood family are committed promoters and encouragers of the family, church, and education as the three most important institutions towards growth, empowerment and success for individuals in their community and country. He and his wife are mentors of clergy and their spouses.
