Rev. Athena Dickey-Cathcart

Pastor Athena Dickey-Cathcart began her spiritual journey in Nesmith, South Carolina, where she grew up as a member of Friendship United Methodist Church. There, she faithfully served on the Usher Board and received mentorship that helped shape her early walk with Christ.

After graduating from high school, she relocated to Washington, D.C., joining Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church. She continued her service on the Usher Board and began formal biblical studies through the church’s Bible School, earning several certifications.

Pastor Athena later enlisted in the Armed Forces, an opportunity that allowed her to travel widely and serve under various pastors. While stationed in Columbus, Ohio, she served in the Children’s Ministry. In a profound moment of divine calling, she was licensed in ministry in the desert of Kuwait, in the midst of a military conflict.

Upon moving to Massachusetts, she served as Director of the Children’s Ministry and received her second ministerial license. Later, relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina, she joined Freedom Temple Ministries, where she was licensed as an Evangelist and became Director of the Outreach Ministry. It was there she entered the final phase of her pastoral training.

Academically, Pastor Athena holds a degree in Organizational Management and a Master’s Degree in Christian Studies. She began pursuing a Master’s in Human Resource Management but chose to withdraw with only one class remaining in order to attend licensing school for pastoral ministry—demonstrating her deep passion and obedience to the call of God on her life. She is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary.

Together with her late husband, Reverend Theodore Cathcart, she founded the “Feed the Kids” Summer Program, providing both physical nourishment and spiritual enrichment to children. She has led prayer ministries, hosted women’s conferences, and organized cross-denominational events that focus solely on Christ rather than denominational lines.

Currently, Pastor Athena’s focus is on youth outreach, partnering with other ministries to co-sponsor the “City on a Hill” Back-to-School Event. She believes deeply that ministry is not about filling seats, but about winning souls and making disciples for Jesus Christ — fulfilling the Great Commission with compassion, dedication, and an unshakable faith in God’s presence and Word.

Her focal Scripture for ministry is Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission, which guides her passion for evangelism and disciple-making:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”