Our leaders
Called to steward the vision.
Founder & Senior Pastor
Donte’ L.
Mackey
Pastor Donte’ is a steward leader and educator with a passion for developing people, strengthening families, and advancing the Kingdom of God. He is the proud son of Ms. Bernetta C. Backman and the late Clifford J. Mackey. The call and gifting on his life were evident from a young age. He received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of four, served faithfully in his home church, and was licensed as a minister at the age of 15. He is engaged to the love of his life, Lady Ashley, and is blessed to have her by his side in life and ministry.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and a Master of Education from Columbia International University. He earned a Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development from Louisiana State University and plans to continue his studies toward a Ph.D. in the same discipline. His professional career has encompassed leadership roles in higher education and nonprofit administration. Through his professional and ministerial endeavors, he has devoted his life to equipping others, developing leaders, and faithfully answering the call to serve.
Pastor Donte’ is the founding pastor of Encounter Family Worship Center (EFWC), where he is committed to cultivating a church centered on the presence of God, discipleship, family, and transformation. With humility and obedience, he embraces the assignment God has entrusted to him.
Alongside him
Elect Lady
Ashley
Lady Ashley is a native of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses IV and Anita Sweeney. She earned her B.A. in Political Science, Pre-Law, from South Carolina State University, her Juris Master in American Legal Studies from Liberty University, and she is now her final year of completing her Juris Doctor at Southern University Law Center.
Most recently, she served in the SULC Civil Law Clinic, helping underserved clients gain access to legal aid and representation. This work embodies her heart to not only serve but to serve the less fortunate. Raised in the Christian faith at Rock Creek Missionary Baptist Church, she carries the lessons she learned there into her service alongside Pastor Donte' at Encounter, where she is honored to serve. Her life verse is Micah 6:8: “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
