The Antioch Baptist Church is settling into its new 42,000 square-foot administrative offices.

“We’re blessed by the grace of God,” said Rev. Herbert Brisbane, who is the director of congregational care and evangelism.

The administration opened the new offices last month. They were previously housed in Fairfax Station Square, which is several miles away.

The staff of six ministers, headed by Senior Pastor Rev. Marshal Ausberry, Sr., and eleven other professionals who direct the different ministries, felt that Antioch’s program and outreach were constricted both by the building’s size and the staff's distance from the sanctuary.

The church, which was founded in 1989 by Pastor John Q. Gibbs, inaugurated its handsome sanctuary in 1994. A congregation of approximately 1,500 worships there each Sunday. More than 50 active ministries offer programs for families, youth, men, women and singles.

Plans for a ministry building were initiated not too long ago. Vienna architect Frank Sturgeon designed an impressive state-of-the-art facility with 22 dedicated classrooms, administrative offices and a multi-purpose room seating 300.

Keitha Johnson, the Director of Ministry Services, stopped for a minute to sum up the feelings of all the workers helping with the move. “Life is good, but God is good. We’re moving because God has shown us His favor.”

After emptying the offices at Fairfax Station Square, enthusiastic volunteers and staff began the somewhat daunting job of unpacking and settling into their new home.

Rev. Melvin Jones, Antioch’s executive minister, “served as Antioch’s Internal Project Manager during the project. In this role (he) interfaced with the builder, architect, attorneys and engineers, to name a few.”

Like any proud father, Rev. Jones was delighted to show off his “baby.” The thoughtful planning that went into the innovative, comfortable structure is apparent.

Huge windows in each room offer inspiring views of the woods and grounds. On the third floor, where the nursery and children’s classrooms are located, each room has a private toilet. The floors are covered partly in tile and partly in carpet squares for easy cleaning and replacement.

Lights automatically turn on when a person first enters a room. The wide halls and doorways, ramps and an elevator allow easy access for persons with disabilities. The capacious library makes a booklover’s heart leap for joy.

The shiny, professional kitchen has amazing upgrades, and the huge multi-purpose room adjacent to the kitchen can be used for receptions, rehearsal parties, church socials and lectures. When space is needed, it can even be divided into five additional classrooms.

The process of planning the ministry building, constructing it and moving in required the help and hands of many people. Rev. Jones would especially like to recognize “our staff for their hard work and dedication and our congregation for their faithfulness.”