Redemption (in Athens)!

Bill Couchenour | Monday, September 05, 2011



“When the Word was made flesh, there was no compromise on God's part!
God, in the Incarnation, became flesh…by the taking of mankind into God.
That is the wonder of redemption!” (A. W. Tozer)

We were bought with a great price. The sacrifice of Jesus paid a debt for us that we could not have paid on our own. His death and resurrection provides the opportunity of redemption and fellowship with God.

The transformation of a building is, in a sense, a metaphor for redemption. We have been repurposing a number of former Walmarts, Ashley Furniture warehouses and strip centers. They were sitting empty and decaying when we partnered with churches to transform them into places of ministry and worship – to, essentially, redeem them. Bringing new life to these facilities can be a powerful image for a community. It’s a contextual solution with minimal environmental impact. The redemption of a facility that in turn serves the community.

But the real redemption of the facility can only be done through its use. The space is redeemed by the activities that take place in the space it. When we connect with the spiritual through prayer or song or scripture or service, we redeem the space, wherever we are. Space becomes sacred not through physical geography, but through spiritual proximity. This has happened in a big way in Athens, GA. Athens Church, a North Point strategic partner, is committed to be a church that people unfamiliar or uncomfortable with “church” can attend. Athens Church is bringing the gospel of redemption to the people of Athens because…

Athens Church loves Athens!

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (I Peter 1:18 & 19)



 

Athens Church Loves Athens

Bill Couchenour | Monday, May 16, 2011



I had the privilege recently to tour the new facilities we just completed for Athens Church. Launching new facilities into mission is one of our most exciting times. That’s because we know that the new facilities will be a physical bridge to ministry opportunities that were not possible before. We painstakingly, diligently worked with the church to develop the facilities that will best serve their ministry. It’s far more than just providing affordable space. It’s about understanding the Code, Context and Calling of the church before Creating the Right Ministry Space. In this case, we used what has affectionately become known as the “big box build-out”. The church purchased over 100,000 sq. ft. of a strip center. We worked with them to develop nearly 1/2 of that space for use now and to provide for subsequent uses in the remaining area. See more here.

It was an honor to serve Pastor Sean Seay (@seanseay) and the ministry God planted in Athens, GA several years ago. Athens Church is a North Point Ministries strategic partner, and maintains a commitment to be a church that unchurched people can attend – relevance without compromising the Gospel. From the weekend services and Starting Point, to Waumba Land, UpStreet, Xtreme, & InsideOut, to small groups, you will find intentionality with Jesus at the heart of what they do. Check out “Our Dream” for an example of how one family, far from God, came to know how much God loves them – through the love they were shown by Athens Church.

Athens Church Does Indeed Love Athens, GA


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Life is a spiritual journey, regardless of where you are at this moment. In this journey we cross many bridges – sometimes unknowingly and, sometimes, to extraordinary destinations we could not have envisioned when we stepped on the bridge. I pray this blog, my words and the words of others, will at times be a bridge for you to discover and explore new places.

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