Our Pastor

Pastor Ahmed J. Hunter was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina to the late Archie Hunter, Jr. and Joyce Pridgen Hunter. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior as a youth and was baptized at the age of twelve and later filled with the Holy Spirit.

After graduating high school and earning a full scholarship to play football, he attended North Carolina A&T State University and later transferred to North Carolina State University. Although he enjoyed playing football, he hung up his cleats after sustaining several injuries.

In 1999, Pastor Hunter rededicated his life to The Lord. He moved from North Carolina to Maryland in 2000 and visited From the Heart Church Ministries (FTHCM) at the invitation of his mother, who had relocated to the MD area. He was immediately drawn to the uncompromising teaching ministry at FTHCM and quickly joined the church and continued to grow in his Christian walk through consistent church attendance at Sunday Worship Service and Tuesday Night Bible Study. Within weeks of his first visit to FTHCM, he completed New Members Orientation, graduated from Perfecting Class, and enrolled in several FTH School of Knowledge classes. Soon thereafter, he joined the Sports & Fitness and Prison Ministries and began coaching the youth basketball team. He also enrolled at one of Maryland’s popular HBCUs, Bowie State University, where he graduated with honors earning a BS Degree in Business Administration.

After they completed the FTHCM Premarital Class, Pastor Hunter married his wife, Deidra, in August 2004. Together, they’ve served as Ministry Heads of the Fine Arts Ministry, they’ve assisted with Marriage Enrichment Classes, and serve in the Membership Care Ministry.

For 26 years, Pastor Hunter has found fulfillment and joy being involved in the life of FTHCM. He has held volunteer leadership positions, served in volunteer ministries, assisted with several enrichment classes, and completed the three-year course of study for ministerial training.

In 2016, Pastor Hunter officially joined the From the Heart Christian School (FTHCS) staff in 2016 as the Athletic Director and went on to become both a Bible and Financial Literacy teacher as well. During this same year, Pastor Hunter began the FTHCM’s three-year ministerial course of study before being licensed as a Minster and later being assigned as the Minister-In-Charge of FTHCM of Atlanta in December 2024.

On May 3, 2026, Pastor Hunter was installed as Pastor of From the Heart Church Ministries – Atlanta. He and his wife, Sister Deidra Hunter, have faithfully served the church since he was appointed as the Minister-in-Charge in December 2024, following the retirement of Pastor Emeritus Charles Starks Jr.

Pastor Hunter and his wife continue to faithfully serve while leading the church in worship, fellowship and service as the congregation strives to Rise & Build as the people of Jerusalem did in Nehemiah 2.