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After a year of searching and seeking God’s direction, in April of 2005, Bart & Jodi Stone felt God was calling them to something new. They just weren’t sure what it was. They made a decision to leave a ministry position, church, friends, and home of 13 years in Louisville, KY. They were on staff at Northeast Christian Church, a large, contemporary, growing church. It was safe and comfortable, but God was calling. In May of ’05 they attended the Church Planting Assessment Center (www.churchplanting4me.org) and were challenged by a National Church Planting Organization, Stadia (www.stadia.cc), to plant a church in Henry County, Georgia. By August 1st the decision was made to go.
Debbie & Lee Swaggerty were close friends of Bart & Jodi in Louisville. Their only son & his wife were leaving for Africa for 3 years to serve the people of Africa. Debbie & Lee felt God was calling them also to a new adventure. They approached Bart about going with them to Henry County voluntarily. Debbie had served as Director of Operations in the Student Ministries at Northeast Christian Church for 9 years. Lee is an electrician for Kroger and they transferred him to Atlanta. Bart, Jodi, Keaton (their son), Debbie & Lee moved to Henry County in January 2006.
Seth & Melissa Hoover have been good friends of the Stones for several years and in their small group at Northeast. Seth was a fire protection engineer, but had been wrestling with the idea of ministry for several years. In April of ’05 Seth & Melissa decided to pursue ministry, but weren’t sure how. Then Bart & Jodi told them that they were going to plant a new church. After several months of talking and praying Seth & Melissa decided to the join the team. They moved to Henry County July 1, 2006.
Momentum was seeking one final position for the team: creative arts pastor. In February 2006 Bart called Joe Taylor. Joe was a senior at Cincinnati Christian University and a highly talented musician and worship leader. Bart and Joe began conversations about the church that was going to be planted. Joe really got excited about the vision and resonated with the plans for Momentum. In April 2006 Joe & Maria, his fiancé came to visit for a weekend. Flying home after that trip they had time in the Indianapolis airport and decided they were in. They both graduated in May 2006, were married June 10, 2006, went on their honeymoon, and moved here the last week of June 2006 – Wow!
God is leading this exciting and scary Adventure and we are just excited to be a part of it with him. There are times that we don’t know what we’re doing but we are following the one who does! We can’t wait to see how the story unfolds!
Momentum Christian is an independent Christian church and is currently led by the lead pastor and a management team made up of elders and staff from our six supporting church partners. Momentum’s own elders will be put in place as the church raises those leaders up from within. Momentum Christian Church has several supporting partners:
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