A Brief History of Christ Presbyterian Church In 1983 a group of six families began meeting for Bible study on Sunday evenings at the Marietta YWCA with Rev. Al Baker, a PCA minister in the Presbytery of North Georgia. In June of 1984 the first worship service was held at the American Business Center with approximately fifty adults in attendance. On November 11, 1984, Christ Presbyterian Church became a particular church in the Presbytery of North Georgia of the Presbyterian Church in America. Four full-time pastors have ministered at different times to the congregation since 1984: Rev. Al Baker, Rev. Steve Jackson, Rev. David Swicegood and Rev. Legree Finch. During the periods between full-time pastors, two ministers have assisted with the interim responsibilities: Pastor Emeritus Rev. John MacGregor and Rev. Bob Sweet. Ruling elder Doug Merkey also served the congregation as a seminary intern prior to Rev. Finch's call. Since its founding, the church has met in four locations prior to the purchase of the current property in 1993. Those locations have included: the Marietta YMCA, the American Business Center, a facility at 119 Powers Ferry Road, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Marietta. The congregation is currently blessed with an excellent location at 495 Terrell Mill Road. Based on a January 28, 2005 STDBonline Report furnished by the church treasurer, Larry Everson, it is estimated that some 34,000 family units reside within a three mile radius of the church’s property and 84,000 family units within a five-mile radius. Through the years, the congregation has weathered a series of challenges and has witnessed the faithfulness of the Lord through it all. Since December 31, 1997, the communicant membership has grown from 46 to 155 communicant members, an increase of 237%. During this same period, the annual tithes and offerings have also increased by 174%. At the encouragement of Rev. Bob Sweet in 1997, the congregation began giving a tithe of its tithes and offerings toward its Mission and Benevolence ministries. Since 1997, the congregation has increased its giving towards Missions and Benevolence so that currently nineteen percent of the tithes and offerings is being directed towards Missions and Benevolence. Additionally, from May 1998 through May 2006, the church has improved the facilities and expanded the parking. The church’s ministry has also been strengthened with the addition of Mrs. Sheryl Buckner who faithfully serves as the church secretary. In the fall of 2003, the church began a Brazilian outreach ministry which has grown under the ESL teaching and leadership of Silas Santos and church volunteers. During the summer of 2003, the church also began a full time, year long internship program for ministerial candidates. Mr. David Story, a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary, served as the first pastoral intern and subsequently became the RUF Campus Minister at Florida State University. Mr. Billy Resh, a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, served as the second pastoral intern while successfully completing his licensure and internship requirements. Ruling elder, Buster Williams has also been licensed by the North Georgia Presbytery and is seeking to fulfill his internship requirements through the ministry of the church. Rev. Ben Hames, a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, completed his licensure, internship and ordination requirements as the church’s third intern. Rev. Hames was then called by the Session and installed by the presbytery as Assistant Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in September, 2006. The congregation is also grateful for the Lord’s provision for our music ministry staff. Mr. Samuel Metzger served as organist and director of music for two and one half years before accepting a call to become the senior organist at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in 2003. Since that time the Lord graciously provided Dr. John Hamm as Music – Choral Director and Mrs. Lauri Hogle as Church Organist. Dr. Hamm previously served as the former head of the music department at Covenant College before his retirement and Mrs. Hogle served as the former organist for the National Christian Choir. The Christ Presbyterian Church family is blessed with the following ruling elders: Major Boone, Tom Bryan, John DeKonty, Barry Dunnavant, Ron Hull, Harvey Lewis, Eric Peterson and Buster Williams. Lawrence Orr has been recognized as an Elder Emeritus. The flock is also encouraged with the service of the following deacons: Mark Jacobson, Denny Sloan, Paige Slyman, Baker Smith, and Mayes Starke. Two men have been recognized with Deacon Emeritus status: Claud Mills and John Sailers. Priorities within the congregation include Biblical preaching and teaching along with music that exalts the majesty of the Heavenly King. Worship, discipleship, fellowship and outreach receive special focus by leaders and members alike. The acronym FLAGSHIP summarizes the areas in which the church seeks to grow. Christ Presbyterian Church looks to the Great Shepherd for growth in Faith, Love, Adoration, Good deeds, Soundness, Hard work & Hope, Intercession and Perseverance. Soli Deo Gloria