Staff Profile
Antoinette G. Alvarado
Co-Pastor
Education: AA & BA from Beulah Heights University, M.Div. from Church of God Theological Seminary, *D.Min. from Regent University (ABD)
When & Why I Joined Total Grace: I married the Senior Pastor so it made sense that I would join the church. I have always believed in my husband and the vision that God has given him. I love the intimate worship, the sound Biblical teaching, Christian Integrity and the commitment to family and community.
Best Thing About What I do in Ministry: Develop leaders and release people into their God given Purpose and Destiny. I love to see the light come on in the eyes of people when they hear the gospel.
Favorite Hobbies: Fitness Training (strength, cardio, healthy eating), Spiritual and Spa Retreats, Fellowship with friends and family.
Favorite Movies or TV Shows: Martin Luther, Akeelah & The Bee, Notebook, Love Stories and Heart Warming Movies. My favorite tv channels are CNN and the Fitness Channel (Comcast).
Favorite Books: Dream Giver (Wilkerson), Spiritual Leadership (Blackaby), Ordering Your Private World (MacDonald).
Favorite Biblical Personality & Why: Deborah because she was a collaborative leader who knew how to weave the right people together. She worked well with men and women.
Pastor Toni's Bio
Dr. Antoinette G. Alvarado, is the Co-Pastor of Total Grace Christian Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She serves alongside her husband, Johnathan E. Alvarado as a pastoral complimentary component. Along with pastoring, she also serves Beulah Heights University in Atlanta, Georgia as an adjunct professor of Biblical and Leadership Studies.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, "Pastor Toni", as she is affectionately called, accepted Jesus Christ at an early age, displaying a genuine love for both God and music in her youth. She received her license to the ministry in 1993 at Total Grace Christian Center, ordained an elder in January 1997 and set in as Co-Pastor in August 2000.
Pastor Toni has served her local church in various leadership capacities including but not limited to: Worship Leader, Elder of Worship & Arts Ministries and currently gives pastoral oversight to the Pastoral Care Ministries, Christian Formation & Discipleship and Women's Ministries. She is also the progenitor of the All Things In Common Initiative, an outreach ministry of Total Grace Christian Center that supplies food, clothing and appliances to the community.
She was awarded both her Associate of Arts (1996) and Bachelor of Arts (1998) degrees in Biblical Education at Beulah Heights University in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon completion of the requirements, she was awarded the Master of Divinity Degree (2003) with an emphasis in Christian Formation and Discipleship from the Church of God Theological Seminary, in Cleveland, TN. She earned the degree Doctor of Ministry (2008) in Leadership and Renewal from Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, VA.
Her professional and educational awards and honors include: Leadership & Renewal Award Regent University School of Divinity (2008), Outstanding Graduate Award Regent University Doctor of Ministry (2008), Who's Who Among University and College Students (2008), Delta Epsilon Chi National Honor Society of The Association For Biblical Higher Education (2008), Pentecostal Ministry Award Church of God Theological Seminary (2003), Who's Who Among University and College Students (1998), Student of the Year Award Beulah Heights Bible College (1998), Beta Eta Beta Kappa Honor Society Member (1998), Standard Teacher Diploma of The Evangelical Training Association (1998).
With a divine call and passion for the advancement of women, Dr. Alvarado has been privileged to serve as a speaker and workshop presenter for several national and international women's conferences. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of My Sister's Keeper Foundation for Women, a leading influential organization focused on "Moving Women from Average to Excellence" in their educational, personal and professional pursuits and development. She is a Certified Leadership and Life Coach with Lifeforming Leadership Coaching, Inc. Most recently she is serving as a Leadership Resource Consultant for the Black Women in Ministerial Leadership Program (BWML) for The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
Her first book, entitled "Run and Not Be Weary"- The Pursuit of Purpose and Destiny was published by Grace House Ministries. Her second work, "A Woman's Heart" devotional series is blessing and encouraging women to express the longings of their hearts through prayer, meditation and worship. She has also written several articles and sermons for such publications and periodicals as Gospel Today Magazine and The African American Pulpit, and participated in many interviews and documentaries on the topics of Coaching and Mentoring Relationships, Leadership, Marriage and Family and Women in Ministry.
Dr. Alvarado and her husband Bishop Johnathan E. Alvarado are the proud parents of three children, Johnathan Elliott II, Joshua Elisha, and Ariel Antoinette. Together they enjoy the benefits of a Godly and wholesome family.