November 3, 2019

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On Sunday, November 3, we began a Launch Class to provide an opportunity for volunteers and potential core members to hear and discuss the doctrinal statement, purpose statement, ministry philosophy, and ministry goals of the church.

Although we have been meeting with a small group of believers since November 2019, it was very exciting to begin weekly services in our home on January 19, 2020! We are so thankful for a solid core group and other periodic volunteers who are helping us with music, setup, and many other aspects of the ministry.  

 On February 23, we held a single Sunday meeting at Clark Creek Elementary School. The goal for this meeting was to dream together as a core group and determine how to best prepare for holding weekly services at this school in the future.  

 Similar to millions of people around the world, the Coronavirus situation resulted in what seemed like chaos to us. Moving kids back home from college, holding our first online service using Zoom, and taking a 60-hour whirlwind trip to Brazil (to renew our documents before they expired or before the borders closed) were just a few things that have consumed our attention in recent days.   We pray the Lord will use us all to point others to the stabilizing truths of Scripture and God's sovereignty in the weeks ahead!  

 When we began meeting in our home in January 2020 to begin this new church, we never expected to become a multisite church in the following months. Just a few weeks after meeting at Clark Creek Elementary School for the first time at the end of February, many public and private schools and private venues closed their facilities to outside rentals until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following three months of Zoom services, we had our first in-person gathering at Red Top Mountain State Park on June 14. Then, we met for the following three weeks at the George Washington Carver Park Pavilion. Due to limited availability at George Washington Carver Park, our church transitioned our weekly services to The Butterfly Pavilion, a wedding and event venue, for the next two months. Since The Butterfly Pavilion was previously booked for several fall weddings, we began meeting at Allatoona Elementary School in Acworth, GA on September 20. Lord willing, we will continue our weekly services at this location until next March. It has been a tremendous blessing to see how our people's flexibility and willingness to help has made the weekly gatherings at these different locations possible and productive!  

 In the midst of much change and uncertainty, we praise the Lord for the growth that we have seen among our core group of people.  In July and August, the men and ladies were able to meet in various homes to pray and study God's Word together as well as enjoy some friendly competition through board games and other activities. I am currently doing a weekly discipleship Bible study in Portuguese with a Brazilian family from our church, and they are eager to grow in Christ as a couple. In addition to our core group growth, we are thankful for opportunities the Lord is giving our church family to reach out to others in the community!  Please pray for the Lord to give us wisdom as we endeavor to seek more ways to effectively reach out into our community in the midst of the pandemic.  

We look forward to what God will do in the months ahead!