OUR HISTORY
Faith United Methodist Church History
On August 25, 1995, a church conference was held with Dr. Dean Milford, then District Superintendent, and Charles Barnes, Director of Church Development, at the Griffin District Office. Letters had been sent to churches in the district with declining membership to discuss the possibilities of merging the churches to form a strong United Methodist presence in Spalding County. This desire arrived at the 1995 June North Georgia Annual Conference. Our very own Rev. Darrell Pollard was the recorder for the conference. Churches that were present for the meeting were Barrow Chapel U.M., Free Liberty U.M., Haven Chapel U.M., Heck Chapel U.M., Mt. Zion U.M., Pleasant Grove U.M., and Red Oak U.M. Church. After a lot of dialogue and prayers from everyone involved, the congregations of three of the churches voted unanimously to merge to form one large black congregation south of the metro Atlanta area: Heck Chapel United Methodist Church, Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, and Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. The total membership at the time of the merger was 239 adult members and more than 60 people under the age of 18 years old.
Saturday, December 30, 1995, was our first meeting with all three churches. Three names were discussed to start our new journey as one: 2nd Street U.M., Unity U.M., and Faith U.M. Church. Faith United Methodist Church was presented by Ms. JauNessa Jackson. The congregation voted, and the rest is history; Faith United Methodist Church was born.
On Sunday, December 31, 1995, we worshiped for the first time with a Watch Night Service at the Heck Chapel building. We were on our knees praying together when the clock struck 12 midnight. The first Sunday morning service together was scheduled for January 7, 1996, but due to inclement weather we were forced to cancel service. Therefore, our first official service together under one name and with one pastor was the 2nd Sunday, January 14, 1996. The pastor at the time of the merger was Rev. Hulon Kemp. He was with us until June of 1996, at which time the DS sent Rev. Leon Matthews. From 1996 until 2003 we had four pastors: Rev. Kemp, Rev. Matthews, Rev. Matt Murphy, and Rev. Ron Johnson. All had different leadership styles, but all wanted the same thing — for us to grow as a family in Christ. During the process of our merger, we looked at several churches that were for sale, but our desire was to have a new facility. Land for the new building was purchased on North Second Street in March of 1996. We had started several ministries by 1996: Hands-On Ministries, Unicycle Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, After School Programs, Summer Program, Bus Ministry, Senior Citizen Night Out, Community Growth (Parenting), and Praise Aerobics. Under Rev. Ron Johnson’s leadership we had the groundbreaking ceremony on the second Sunday in January 2003, at 590 North Second Street.
Rev. Donald Reed Jr. was sent to Faith in June of 2003. The construction of the new worship center was well underway. The leadership team wanted to make sure we moved into the church during the month of January, since every wonderful blessing for the church seemed to happen in the month of January. The construction company handed the keys over to the members of the trustees in December. The entire month we began preparing for the grand day of walking into the worship center. Seven years after the merger of the three churches, the Consecration Service was held, where nearly 1500 families and friends came together to help celebrate the mighty blessing the Lord had bestowed on us.
In November of 2011, Rev. Willie Greene was appointed to Faith. Under Rev. Greene’s leadership we paid off the church bus, had the parking lot resurfaced, and laid the cornerstone. A Saturday morning Bible study was started with breakfast being served, so we fed our mind, body, and soul while learning the Word.
Rev. Moses Woodruff Jr. was sent to Faith in June of 2019. Under Rev. Woodruff’s leadership our Wednesday night Bible study attendance increased, Saturday morning Bible study was exciting, and the members were eager to learn the Word of God.
None of us could have imagined that a month or so after our 24th Church Anniversary a virus called COVID-19 would disrupt the year, causing so much devastation and difficulty around the world. Neither could we have envisioned that to prevent the spread of the virus, 2020 would be a time of lockdown and social distancing. For the entire year we were not allowed to worship inside the church, visit one another freely, or sit close together. We could not hug loved ones when they visited our homes. The entire year spouses were disallowed from accompanying pregnant partners to doctor appointments or to the delivery room to be a part of the new life. It was also incredible the numerous lives that were turned upside down either because of the loss of loved ones or jobs due to the pandemic. Faith was affected by the pandemic with several souls lost due to the virus. In January of 2021 the conference allowed all the churches to reopen, but social distancing was enforced and face masks were required.
Rev. Alpehia Murray was appointed to Faith on the first Sunday in June of 2022. Her assignment was to rebuild souls after a difficult time in all our lives. Under Rev. Murray’s leadership our dance ministry was revamped, and previous members’ attendance increased. The Saturday morning Bible study was underway again. The United Methodist Women name was changed to United Women of Faith. The change was a part of refreshing the organization and the women in the North Georgia Conference. The ladies here at Faith are a big part of the amazing progress of the women’s chapter.
In June of 2024 the DS decided to send Rev. Al Danso to Faith United Methodist Church. Rev. Danso’s contagious energy has brought excitement and zest for the work of God. It’s a constant reminder of the joy that God has for each of our lives. Under Rev. Al’s leadership his infectious three E’s — Energy, Excitement, and Eagerness — are EXPLOSIVE. He is touching our hearts and souls daily. His passion for the Word of God truly inspires us all. He brings such vibrant energy to the church and the community. Under his leadership, Saturday morning Bible study has been a wonderful learning experience. A musician has been hired for the music department, the gospel choir has restarted, and we have a youth choir again. The attendance on Sunday morning has increased, as well as the viewing on Facebook Live. Information is being sent to the congregation weekly through social media, emails, Zoom, Wednesday prayer line, and other technical platforms. Rev. Danso has given the congregation several assignments to reach out to the community. Rev. Al and his family have an enriching spirit for the people of Faith and the community.
We here at Faith have much to celebrate, but we have so much more to conquer. We cannot and will not stand on our past accomplishments but look to God to carry us through. We have many ministries and people who have given their time, talents, and resources to take us to a higher level. As we look back and think about all the men and women who gathered in meetings, prayed to God, and looked for direction, we give God all the Praise, Honor, and Glory. Some were able to see the vision come true, and some were not, but we held on to the Word of God that says, “Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Thirty years ago, we didn’t know where the journey of merging would take us, but we knew if we kept God first, we would succeed.
Happy 30th Church Anniversary!