Oak Grove United Methodist Church

Website: http://ogumc.org/

Services: 8:30, 9:35 and 11 a.m.

Worship Style: 8:30 and 11 traditional, 9:35 contemporary

Average Sunday Attendance: 775

Minister: Glenn Ethridge

Denomination Affiliation: United Methodist

Mission statement:

Creating life-changing communities through Jesus Christ.

History:

The church formed 175 years ago with a circuit rider who came to the gold rush in Dahlonega. According to Ethridge, the first building was a 20-by-20 log cabin, which was the only structure spared when Sherman passed through the area. In 1888, members moved down the street to the current eight-acre location.

Membership includes ancestors of the original church founders.

“As a church pastor in a growing metro area, it’s remarkable to have that weekly connection with the church’s history,” Ethridge said.

Pastor’s path:

Ethridge said his call to ministry dates back to his childhood in Elberton, but he wasn’t aware of it until he was a student at the University of Georgia. Church became a place of caring and confirmation for the student, who graduated from UGA, entered seminary at Yale University and finished his doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Through the years, he has served at rapidly growing congregations like Wesley UMC in Evans, and Cannon UMC in Snellville.

“I’ve enjoyed being at Oak Grove and having the longevity of history among the congregations. We have some families that go back four generations,” said the pastor, in his fifth year at the Decatur church.

Ministries:

October 15 will mark the church's 50th consecutive barbecue, a community outreach and fundraiser that will be open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Ethridge said there's a couple in the congregation that has served at each barbecue through the years. Last year, more than 5,000 plates of open pit pork barbecue, Brunswick stew, homemade cole slaw and desserts were sold.

A special homecoming service at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16 will celebrate the church’s 175th anniversary. A catered lunch follows at noon.

The church has a strong commitment to ministry to children and youth, and hosts two children’s schools – a licensed daycare and half-day preschool -- with total enrollment of more than 400. That number is reflective of how Oak Grove is serving young families moving back to the city, Ethridge said.

A priority on missions includes work locally and around the world. Volunteers just returned from building a school in Liberia and working on a medical clinic in Honduras.

Members work with the Toco Hills Community Alliance to help neighbors in need. They also support the Mountain View Personal Care Home in DeKalb County and the Breakthru House of Action Ministries.

Every week, members prepare food and staff a mobile soup kitchen, and have been recognized for their work in helping families involved in the Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta.

Thoughts from the pastor:

“Oak Grove is a vital congregation of people committed to growing spiritually and to serving others. People interested in maturing in their Christian faith and serving others will find a home at Oak Grove.”