Blessing Church Named Community's Business of the Year

Austell First UMC's Bless Austell message signals to its community its desire to serve

How can a declining smaller church that no longer matches the demographics of its community be faithful to the task of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?

That is the question that many smaller churches face in 21st century America. It is the question that haunted 170-member Austell First United Methodist Church in Austell, Ga., three years ago.

Fortunately, opportunity came knocking on the church's door, literally. An outside Christian organization was looking to start a tuition-free preschool for lower-income families. Several other churches in the area turned the group down, but Austell First UMC welcomed them with open arms. The church continued its newfound outreach focus by starting a weekly free community dinner in its fellowship hall called Grace Cafe. The church also became a "Partner in Education" at its neighboring public school.

Shortly thereafter, 38-year old Brett DeHart was appointed to pastor the church. “I saw that this church was being the body of Christ,” DeHart said. “They were participating in God’s mission in the world and they were making a difference. All I did was say, ‘Hey what you’re doing is good. Let’s do more of it!’”

The vision of Bless Austell was birthed. Banners, a new Web site and newspaper ads quickly spread the Bless Austell theme.

“Internally, our goal is to have our church and its members focus on blessing our community, being the hands and feet of Christ in the world,” DeHart said. “Externally, we hope the campaign will signal to the community that we are ready to serve, to be an asset to this community. We hope others will want to join us in the blessing and eventually in the life of the church.”

Shortly after the campaign began, historing flodding devasted the city. "When the floods hits, people immediately connected to Bless Austell like never before," DeHart said.

The fruit of relationships fostered previously with the schools, other churches and businesses allowed the church to serve its community in its darkest hour.

Just three short years after its change in focus, Austell First United Methodist Church was named 2009 Austell Business of the Year by the community's business association.

"We were surprised and thrilled to be recognized," DeHardt said. "I think it represents how much influence we have gained in our community by turning our sights outward."


Bless Austell Core Values

• God goes before us
• Generously bless others
• Deliver radical love that amazes the world it touches
• We want people to wonder why we are doing this.
• Servanthood
• Reach the world for Christ by serving one person at a time
• Taking light into darkness
• Carrying the heartbeat of Christ into the community
• The Body of Christ, the hands and feet of Christ in the world
• Sharing God’s love in practical ways
• No strings attached
• Leave results to God
• Bless is not what we do, but it is who we are (lifestyle)
• God gets the credit
• An asset to our community
• Community Transformation
• Bring healing to a hurting world
• Impact our city with the love of Christ
• Move people one step closer to Christ

For more information about Austell First UMC ...