About two and a half years ago we launched our second campus in Toccoa, Ga. We felt that although Stephens County had a bunch of great churches that possibly a church like Foothills Community Church could help reach some of the people who were not being reached by the existing churches.
For the first year and a half we met in a gymnasium at Osborne Wood products and then, a little over a year ago we moved into a more permanent location, as we leased a former furniture store and converted it into a church facility.
Like any new church, there are challenges, and obstacles. In fact, it was the same way at our Seneca, SC campus when we first started. I believe we are on the verge of some incredible things happening there. As many of you know, our campus pastor is Brian Marshall who has served at our Seneca campus for many years, but what many of you don't know is that we recently hired Kevin Robison as our new campus worship pastor. I believe that these men will help us reach that community for Christ!
Some of the lessons I have learned about becoming a multi-site church (especially in small towns) is that it takes patience and perseverance. It takes time for the community to get to know you, and trust you.
It takes a heart for your community. Deep-down the people who attend the church have to have a burden for their community to know Christ. They must build relationships with people who don't know Christ, and invite them to church.
It's hard work. There are no short cuts. You reach a community, the same way you eat an elephant, a bite at a time. One person at a time, that's the key.
It takes unselfishness. The church has to be willing to set aside their own personal desires for the sake of the people they are trying to reach. They must be willing to do whatever it takes to reach people.
They have to prepare for guests. There needs to always be an expectation that there will be guests, and therefore they need to make sure that they feel at home. In fact everything must be viewed and evaluated constantly through the eyes of a first-time guest.
As Foothills Toccoa moves forward, they do so with purpose. I am so pumped about the future of our Toccoa campus. Every time I go there I just love the environment that they have created. It is an incredible group of people that love Jesus. If you know anyone in that area that doesn't have a church home, let them know about our Toccoa campus!
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