Six great pastors have led Second-Ponce de Leon
 
Dr. Knight served as pastor until January 31, 1945. The church moved forward steadily, if slowly because of economic adversity. A significant beginning was that of weekly Church Night services on Wednesday, October 1, 1934; the initial cost of supper was 25 cents per plate. The Sanctuary building was readied for use by March 29, 1936 and was completed, furnished and dedicated October 10, 1937.

Dr. Monroe F. Swilley, Jr. was only 29 years of age when called from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to become Second-Ponce de Leon's pastor on October 1, 1945. If his 23-year ministry could be reduced to a one-word emphasis, that word would be missions. New buildings provided growth in worship and Bible study, but a megachurch was never the goal. Rather, Second-Ponce de Leon fostered new churches, notably Wieuca Road Baptist Church in 1954 and Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in 1959. Properties for these and other mission churches were selected and purchased, and Second-Ponce de Leon issued church letters to more than 200 charter members of both Wieuca Road and Mt. Vernon churches.

Early in his pastorate, Dr. Swilley promoted a unified budget whereby financial goals of the church were combined in a single plan. Also, he challenged the membership to a 50/50 disbursement: matching every dollar spent for local purposes with an equal amount to mission causes of Georgia and Southern Baptists.

In 1950 the Atlanta Baptist Association appointed Dr. Swilley to lead a study of the need for a Baptist college in the Atlanta area. Convinced of that need, he was instrumental in acquiring a 562-acre tract of land on the East Expressway 12 miles from downtown Atlanta. Second-Ponce de Leon members heavily supported Dr. Swilley's campaign to raise funds for the college. He resigned as pastor to become President of Atlanta Baptist College on January 1, 1969. Subsequently the college became a part of Mercer University; and the extensive campus, which includes McAfee School of Theology, has become Dr. Swilley's legacy to Christian education.

On September 14, 1969, Dr. Russell H. Dilday, Jr. came as pastor from Tallowood Baptist of Houston, Texas, a 2400-member church which he had brought from a mission station of 60 members. His dynamic leadership continued at Second-Ponce de Leon and in the denomination where he served as President of the Home Mission Board and as a Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. When a large group of capable, dedicated Baptists were seeking a new church home, it was Dr. Dilday who welcomed them into Second-Ponce de Leon and skillfully moderated their merging into a congregation where many continue to serve in leadership roles.

Widely recognized as a master in the field of homiletics, Dr. Dilday was author of numerous articles and books and was a contributor to the 1972 Broadman Commentary. When the Presidency of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was vacated, Dr. Dilday emerged as the educator most qualified to become president of this, the largest theological seminary in the world. He resigned Second-Ponce de Leon to assume that office January 1, 1978.

Dr. C. Robert Marsh became pastor September 10, 1978, coming from First Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama. Highlighting his 15-year ministry were strong, scriptural sermons in which he emphasized the need for kindness, forgiveness, encouragement. John 13:35 characterizes his ministry: "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, in that you love one another."

For eight years Dr. Marsh served as a Trustee for the Foreign Mission Board during which he led eleven mission endeavors, often accompanied by church members who volunteered for realistic service on foreign fields. Locally, his initiative toward racial reconciliation was practically demonstrated through a partnership with Atlanta's Summerhill community. The Family Life Center, built during his pastorate, continues to bless our mission of taking Christ to the community.

Following his last sermon on April 25, 1993, Dr. and Mrs. Marsh entered a period of study and renewal, then one of service through European churches and the Baptist seminary there.

Dr. James C. Denison was called from Midland, Texas, to begin his pastorate at Second-Ponce de Leon on June 26, 1994. He brought a philosophy that defined his ministry: to glorify God by seeking to evangelize the community and to join hands with other churches and ministries in taking Christ to our city, nation, and the world. He led an able staff to his own commitment, that of equipping all the saints for the work of ministry.

Brilliant and scholarly, Dr. Denison's sermons consistently focused on the Bible, "the only word God has obligated Himself to bless." Exploring ways to reach those unattracted to established churches, he began a 9:40 a.m. worship service in September, 1995, retrofitting the Family Life Center for a multi-media contemporary experience. With 9:40 attendance at some 700 persons, Sunday morning worshipers in the three services approached 2,000.

Dr. Denison initiated Atlanta Community Ministries, an ecumenical outreach by volunteers through 25 different programs. It was in place when some 10,000 visitors came to our campus during the cycling events of the 1996 Olympic games. Embracing an ongoing partnership with the inner city, Dr. Denison brought new meaning to reconciliation on Unity Sundays.

Upon accepting the call of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Denison preached his last sermon as pastor at Second-Ponce de Leon on March 22, 1998.

Dr. W. David Sapp was called to Second-Ponce de Leon on December 6, 1998, from Derbyshire Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. A Savannah native, Dr. Sapp came to Second-Ponce with deep Georgia roots and a heart for the church, the city of Atlanta and its people. With a great love for people and with dreams to reach metro Atlanta for Christ, to provide moral and spiritual leadership to Atlanta and to provide help for other churches, Dr. Sapp is leading Second-Ponce de Leon to discern God’s vision for its ministry in the new millennium.

A sense of community brought three great churches to become one. Each juncture of our long history has presented diverse challenges, met by Second-Ponce de Leon's ministers and congregation  in ways unique to their time and circumstances and abilities. Today we are united as a living fellowship. Together, let us seek to know God's Will for our church; individually, let us endeavor to grow into the likeness of His Son.