Bishop Aaron J. Batiste Sr.

Bishop Aaron J. Batiste, Sr. was baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age and later filled with the Gift of the Holy Ghost under the leadership of the Late Assistant Presiding Bishop Paul O. Jones, Jr. at Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Faith Church in Pontiac, Michigan. While at Zion, he served faithfully under the pastorate and mentorship of Bishop Jones as God continued to call him deeper into the work of the Lord. During his time at Zion, Bishop Batiste—then Brother Batiste—served dutifully in many capacities within the church. Though he initially attempted to run from the call into ministry, he ultimately surrendered and accepted God’s call.

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After years of dedicated service and by recommendation of his pastor, he was selected and ordained as an Elder in 2002 within the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ, Inc. (AAC). In 2005, Elder A. J. Batiste, Sr. and his family relocated to the Tupelo, Mississippi area. During this transition, he received guidance from the Late Honorable Founder and Presiding Bishop G. M. Boone, D.D. Through the counsel of Bishop Boone, the persistence of the late Mother Marian Lane, and sincere prayer, Elder Batiste became an Associate Minister of the New Beginning Apostolic Church under the leadership of then-Elder Bramlett Cooper (now Presiding Bishop Bramlett Cooper of the AAC).

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In 2006, Elder Batiste relocated to the Greater Memphis area, where his faithfulness and service continued under Pastor Bramlett Cooper. Elder Batiste served as a profound and astute teacher and became a pillar within the New Beginning Apostolic Church (NBA) in Memphis, Tennessee. His roles included NBA Youth Chair, former Usher, member of the NBA Board of Trustees, Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher, and Senior Associate Minister.

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In 2010, Elder Aaron Batiste was elevated to the office of District Elder within the Southern District Council of the AAC. He was appointed Youth Chairman of the Southern District Council and served on the SDC Executive Board, Program/Planning Committee, and in various other capacities. In 2014, by the will of God, he was elevated to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop for the AAC. In this role, he assisted the Diocesan Bishops of the Southern District, Tennessee/Carolina, and Eastern District Councils. He continued to serve faithfully on the Ministerial Board of the New Beginning Apostolic Church under Presiding Bishop Bramlett Cooper. In October 2018, Jurisdictional Bishop Batiste was appointed Assistant Chairman of the Southern District Council.

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In July 2019, he was elevated to the office of Full-Fledged Bishop of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ, where he continues to serve faithfully. In March 2019, the Lord moved upon the heart of Presiding Bishop Bramlett Cooper and Bishop Aaron J. Batiste, Sr. to step into the role of Pastor of the Greater Apostolic Church of Christ (GACOC) in Springfield, Illinois. This transition came after much prayer by Bishops Cooper and Batiste, as well as the GACOC Church Family.

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In 2022, Bishop Batiste was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the AAC Youth Department (July) and was later nominated and elected Chairman of the Southern District Council (October), where he presently serves. In 2026, Bishop Batiste was appointed as Diocesan Bishop for the Central District Council of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ. Bishop Batiste has been married to his wife of over 25 years, Lady Lashana Batiste, and together they have four children. He carries a deep passion for souls and the Word of God.

 

His burden for the Greater Apostolic Church of Christ is evident as he continues the work left by the Late Assistant Presiding Bishop Samuel J. Carter. His energy, drive, compassion, and commitment to the Word of the Lord are contagious—drawing both young and old to Christ. His vision and spiritual gait are focused on impacting lives and inspiring transformative change in the hearts of those seeking a new life in Christ. One of Bishop Batiste’s favorite quotes is: “If God don’t do it, it won’t be done.” One of his favorite scriptures is Psalm 27, as the Lord has continually shown Himself to be both Light and Salvation in his life. 

 

Acts 26:22 “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great…”