Minister Erica L. Cheatham

Affectionately known as "Lady C" and described by some as an expert "multi-tasker", Minister Erica L. Cheatham is co-founder of Abiding Word Tabernacle. This awesome woman of God was born and raised in Arlington, Georgia on July 8, 1976. Being raised in a single-parent home, she learned early in life not to allow unfair circumstances to determine her future. She humbly accepted the hand she was dealt and decided to take that same hand and win with it! Against the odds, Lady Cheatham went on to attend Lurleen B. Wallace Jr. College for 2 years where she maintained a 3.0 GPA and obtained her Associate’s Degree in Computer Science. She is currently a few credit hours short of obtaining her Bachelor’s in Business Administration (minoring in Management).

In retrospect, she understands that God was preparing her then for her current roles now at AWT. In 1996, a shift would soon come within her college years where God would redirect her life and call her into the Armed Forces (US Army). With fifteen years of military service and extensive travel abroad (Korea, Honduras, Costa Rica, Afghanistan, Doha, Russia, and Germany) Lady Cheatham has had the opportunity to experience a vast array of different cultures that enable her ministry to reach beyond cultural boundaries. The ministry of Lady Cheatham is intentional ministry that reaches out of her own experiences into the scars of others that provide the healing that can only come from an "I have been there" kind of annointing. Having lived in every capacity that a woman can, whether it be single and waiting, to that of a single parent, or a wife of a called man in ministry; Lady C feels her primary gifting is to that of women who have allowed life to lie to them.

In 2004 on the 8th of July (while in Germany), Lady Cheatham wed Terrance Cheatham, Senior Pastor and Founder of Abiding Word Tabernacle, Inc. They now have three children - Jalen, Gerniah, and Noah. Lady Cheatham is a highly devoted wife and mother, and is committed to the vision of the ministry where she assists her husband with a variety of duties to ensure that his God-given mandate is carried out.

While overseeing several auxiliaries, ministries and serving as Chief Finance Officer of the church, Lady Cheatham does not fail to take care of her first ministry, which is her home. Lady Cheatham demonstrates the same emphasis in ministering as her husband and Pastor; which is teaching the needs of the whole-man (body, soul, and spirit). In the words of Lady Cheatham,
"WE SERVE AN EPHESIANS 3:20 GOD!"

Pastor Terrance Cheatham

Pastor Cheatham is a man after God’s own heart, who is known by many as a leader of leaders, visionary, and a provacative intentional thinker. He serves as Founder and Senior Pastor of AWT. Raised up in Edgefield, SC by his great-grandmother, the late Mrs. Orlena Allen until the tender age of 7 years old, he then moved to Fayetteville, NC where he joined his mother and step father who served in the Armed Forces.

What to Expect

Abiding Word Tabernacle is a nontraditional, nondenominational, multicultural church. We are a young church that possesses an old spirit which enables us to minister to all age groups without anyone feeling left out or alienated.

From The Shepherd’s Heart

When Jesus Christ was born into the earth to fulfill His earthly ministry, He often revealed Himself to His disciples in different forms.

Treasures in Vessels of Clay!
Hello, I want to take this golden opportunity to talk to that special part of you today. Yes, you know that part that thinks your value isn?t high and there's nothing good that can come out of you.