Changing NW Georgia…
I love church planting. I truly believe with everything that is in me that Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and that the local church is the best thing to get that message out. I also love Georgia. I left here once and never intend on doing it again! I have a huge heart for the towns here and I have a passion for NW Georgia. I remember after moving to Canton I started wondering what it would take to reach all the cities from 285 up I-75 and 575 to the North Georgia border.
Over the last few years God has started doing something very cool in NW Georgia and I am digging it. There are some awesome outward focused churches impacting the area in huge ways.
- I guess Mike Linch is the godfather of the area with NorthStar Church which is doing a GREAT work! I went to North Star for a visit prior to starting here in Canton and I thought it was a solid church. Since that time Mike has become the full-time pastor and I have heard NOTHING but awesome things from them. I have heard they are knocking out of the park like never before.
- Matt Evans is knocking it out of the park in Dalton. Rock Bridge is a GREAT church that is about to launch their second site. I met Matt about two years ago and we just hit it off. We couldn’t be any more different but we just click. The dude is the real deal and his walk with God always convicts me. Rock Bridge is truly making a difference in Dalton.
- Michael Lukaszeski started Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville right at a year ago in a town that was so prime for a church like OLC that it was CRAZY! Michael is getting it done in big ways and I am enjoying watching their story unfold. Michael is another one that I am VERY different from (I’m taller and better looking) but we have a lot in common as you can read here.
- JR Lee is the newest addition to the NW Georgia team. He is planting Freedom Church in Acworth and I am pumped up for him. I think he is going to do an awesome job.
- We are doing our best to cover Canton and handling the mountain towns north of us. Tomorrow we turn 3 years old! That is so freaking awesome! Hopefully our church knows we are here to play ball and that we are here to turn this town upside down.
I simply think it is awesome how God is moving here in NW Georgia and I am thankful that I get to be a small part of it. When you plant a church you sort of form a brotherhood and I am thrilled to be able to partner with these guys in impacting this area.
If you are thinking of planting, pray hard about NW Georgia. There are some towns here that are so ripe for planting that it is scary. I keep a map with what I call Hot Spots and some of the ones in North Georgia that I see are:
- Woodstock, Georgia - This area is BOOMING. FBC Woodstock is there and doing a great job and I think that scares planters off but there is a HUGE need for a modern, relevant church that is reaching unchurched people.
- Adairsville - North of Cartersville and another area that is REALLY exploding with growth. Right off of I-75. There have been rumors of a Bass Pro Shop and a new Mall going there for a few years now. GREAT area.
- Elijay - WAY up in the mountains and one of the places we are going to launch a location but believe it or not, I think someone should go here and plant a traditional church. There are so many older people moving here to retire that it is prime for something like this.
God has started a movement in NW Georgia. We don’t all look alike or sound alike but we are all united in reaching this area and I think it is awesome!