We are a Community for All Smyrna to Belong and Become in Jesus.
Tiffany and I are thrilled to come “home”, a place we lived for 10 years (Matt) and 7 years (Tiffany) before moving to complete a pastoral residency. So why come back? Why start a new church in Smyrna of all places, a city named after a biblical reference?
We can give you all the significant statistics, like Smyrna’s population is growing at 2x the national average, 87% of Smyrnan’s don’t care about finding a good church, and the most gracious estimates are ~3,500 Smyrnan’s are worshiping in Smyrna while the rest (who worship) drive 15 - 45 minutes to church. Those can be helpful, but statistics don’t change hearts, and the statistics didn’t make our decision for us.
Like your journey if you decide to join us, we had to answer the question “Why Smyrna?” at a heart-level and the answer was simple, “We love the people”, and secondarily, “We love what God’s already doing”.
We love the people. The ethnic, economic, religious, educational and political diversity challenges and inspires us. We didn’t want to live somewhere where everyone thinks, acts, and believes the same. That felt boring. Life is often complex and uncomfortable, and while our nature pushes us to seek comfort and others “like us”, we believe that’s a superficial way to live that ultimately hinders rather than empowers us. True joy comes through knowing God and since no one culture expresses God in His fullness, it’s important to surround ourselves with people different from us, which is one of Smyrna’s greatest strengths.
We love what God is already doing. Smyrna is growing up, and rather than expanding and growing outward like it’s bigger brother Atlanta, it's growing “in”. Growing in population. Growing in density. Growing in amenities. Growing in diversity. Growing in influence. And as it grows “in”, there’s more opportunity for its people to grow deeper. Deeper in relationships, deeper in awareness, deeper in knowledge, deeper in opportunity, and by investing in this depth you can actually make a difference in someone’s life. We know Smyrna is already a great place to live, work, and play. We want to be part of its growth as a city that’s a great place to live, work, play, and worship.
The city of Smyrna is already experiencing a movement, and based on the demographics of the people who live here it’s practically a movement for all people. We hope to join that movement and together, in Jesus, continue fanning the flame that’s already lit to shine His light into all corners of the city and world. If you live in or near Smyrna, we’d love to talk more.
