Alisa Townley We love this church. As a young family we were quickly welcomed when we originally began attending, and when we came back our second week, people remembered our names! This was a huge deal to us, and is only one example of the effort this community puts in to love on people and be the hands and feet of Jesus in Athens. We enjoy the scripture based sermons and feel like this church is one where learning more about and following Christ is the utmost intention.
5 /5
Jason Ramsland I love and care deeply about the people of this church. But I encourage anyone searching: choose a different church.
I was the first local, non-staff elder of the church after it was planted in 2019. I was there for its very first service. I have taught on Sunday morning. I have played in the band and served communion here. I led a small group here for years. Before we left, I think that probably every single person in the church (or nearly so) had been over to our home at one point or another. Some even lived with us temporarily. Even as of today in July 2024, I am listed as one of the officers of the church in official filings with the state of Georgia.
I left in 2022 because of dishonesty that was tolerated and covered up in the leadership of the Network to which this church belongs. I have since learned of additional dishonesty from the leader of South Grove, who had been a friend for years. He has failed to share important information and prevailed upon half-truths, both about others and about himself. He has shown impermissible partiality towards his favored individuals in the Network, repeatedly calling them "the best people."
If you search for the terms "Leaving the Network" you can find resources that will reinforce that South Grove and the Network of which it is a part both have considerable problems with dishonesty and partiality from the leadership. At the head of the Network organization is a many who was not forthcoming about his history with serious criminal charges involving an underaged boy, and who was dishonest about matters when his history was shared more broadly. When I questioned whether the leader had been truthful about his history, a different leader in the Network - who is now on the board of overseers of South Grove - accused me of blasphemy. A significant portion of the original team who planted this church departed at the same time that we did, because South Groves pastor refused to dissociate from this Network.
There are many faithful sisters and brothers who remain part of this church. I treasure friendships with many of them. Just a few weeks ago I shared coffee, lunch, dinner, drinks, and company with many of them. I love and care for them.
Nevertheless, this church lacks biblically qualified leadership, both locally and in the greater hierarchy of its Network.
Please consider going to a different church.
1 /5
