Chattahoochee Baptist has community focus

Website: www.cbc.us.com

Services: 11 a.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Wednesday

Worship Style: Blended

Average Sunday Attendance: 50-60

Minister: Pastor Rick Shoup

Denomination Affiliation: Southern Baptist

Mission statement:

“Lead people to love God, love others and reach the world.”

History:

In 1884, Chattahoochee Baptist Church was started beside a narrow dirt road called Johnson Ferry. The first services were held in a brush arbor on the property where a brick house now stands. A log building was used until 1907, when a box frame building was constructed with donated timber and free labor. In 1981, the existing brick church building was built.

Pastor’s path:

Halfway through his 12-year career with Delta Air Lines, Shoup saw something on TV in the international concourse break room that changed his life. Pastor Charles Stanley was preaching a sermon based on 1 John 5:13.

“I never knew I could know my salvation was secure,” the former Roman Catholic said. “I committed my life to God right there.”

After that experience, Shoup and his family began attending First Baptist Woodstock and he accepted the call to become Chattahoochee's pastor in 2002.

“The first year I baptized my dad, my mother-in-law, my daughter, my niece and my sister and her husband,” said Shoup. “God has done a great work within our family.”

Ministries:

When Shoup became pastor in 2002, the church had 27 members with an average age of 75 and no children. “They held weddings to pay the light bill. It was pretty much a church re-start,” Shoup said. Now the congregation’s average age is 37 and there are 80-90 active members.

With a focus on evangelism in mind, the church property now features a playground and full-size basketball court that are open to the community.

“Families who don’t even come to our church will come and have picnics and enjoy being at a small place that’s almost private,” the pastor said. “They can just come and know they’re welcome here.”

A scrapbook ministry that meets monthly also welcomes non-church members. A fall festival that offers barbecue and a craft sale is a popular tradition.

The church owns an 18-foot rock wall that is used for ministry in local neighborhoods. Fishing tournaments are held throughout the year to raise money for purchasing ministry tools for the youth.

“As the Lord leads, we’re just going to do whatever needs to be done to continue to try to reach people,” Shoup said.

Thoughts from the pastor:

“On Oct. 27, my family and I will celebrate eight years of service at Chattahoochee Baptist Church. I can truly say it is a joy to serve with such loving, faithful and united Christians. Our hope is that when new people come to visit, they feel welcome, cared for and, most of all, a sense of family.  I pray that we are a church that represents the body of Christ touching hearts and changing lives.”