Location
Southwest Atlanta

Sunday Service Times
- 8:45 am
- 11 am

Church Type
Denomination – Full Gospel Baptist
Size (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Medium

From the church website…
Mission Statement - “Our Mission Is To Be A Word-Centered Ministry, Designed To “Bridge The Gap” Between Calvary And Pentecost. We Proclaim The Providence, Presence, Purpose And Power Of God, In A God-Glorifying, Christ-Centered, Holy Ghost-Empowered, Word-Based, People-Oriented Local Church To Change The World.”

“After 33 years of pastoring in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bishop Morton has passed the mantle to his wife, Pastor Debra Morton and has appointed her Senior Pastor of Greater St. Stephen. Bishop Morton serves as her Co-Pastor and has repositioned his focus to Changing A Generation as Senior Pastor; we have acquired and blessed our Greenbriar Campus Property and the expansion and completion phase is underway. God bless the Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church and now, Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church!”

My Impressions
Unreviewed at this time.

Location
College Park

Sunday Service Times
8 am
11 am

Church Type
Denomination – Baptist
Size (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Medium

From the church website…
“The Enon Church & Ministries family is devoted to aiding you to become a healthy person emotionally, physically and spiritually. Now is the time for you to experience change in your life; your spirit, your soul, your family, your career, and your finances. Remember, there is always a Word for you. Pastor Gregory L. Pollard and First Lady Libby Pollard invite you to fellowship with us during any of our services. ”

My Impressions
Unreviewed at this time.

Location
Southwest Atlanta – Cascade Road

Sunday Service Times
7:30 am – 8:45 am
9:30 am - 11 am
12 pm – 1:30 pm
*Elizabeth Baptist Church also has a Saturday night service at 6 pm.

Church Type
Denomination – Baptist
Size (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Large

From the church website…
Mission – “To lovingly lead the lost into a relationship with Jesus Christ and to develop mature believers.”

My Impressions
scale of 1 – 3; 1=below average; 2=average; 3=above average)
Sermon Style (preaching/teaching) – Teaching
Music Ministry – 3
Friendliness (of members to me) – 3
Happiness Quotient (feeling of people receiving the spirit) – 2
Children/Youth Activities – 3

Unique Observations -
OK, I must admit, being a Southwest Atlanta resident, I have been to Elizabeth Baptist Church several times since my move to Atlanta, so this blog will be slightly different than the others in that I will provide my high level review and not necessarily a specific church visit. Things that I absolutely LOVE about Elizabeth Bpatist Church include: the service times (can’t beat a 9:30 am service – extremely convenient – or a 12 pm service for the late risers), the satelitte parking (very convenient compared with the parking lot), the baby cry room (conveniently located in back of the church that still allows you to see the church service live instead over a video where you can still see inside the church), the community involvement activities (Elizabeth is definately connected to the community in a myriad of ways and offers several avenues for members to get involved).

The congregation of Elizabeth Baptist Church is cross-section of the Cascade area. It provides a balanced mixture in terms of age, families/singles and income levels. Pastor Oliver, leads his flock with a wit and a direct connection that says “he’s been there and done that”. His sermon style is “teaching” while still being deeply rooted in the word. Musically, Elizabeth Baptist Church has a number of choirs and a praise team that leans toward the progressive side.

All in all, Elizabeth Baptist Church should be on anyone’s must visit list of churches in Atlanta. Pastor Oliver has a vision for the church that will allow it to continue to grow and serve. While Eliabeth is not a “mega” church, please understand, it is a church with an extremely large congregation – so take advantage of the various service times (Saturday night service is also a very nice option and the same sermon is preached on Sunday morning) and plan accordingly for parking. In the event you do join Elizabeth, be sure to sign up for one of their many activities/organization so that you can feel a part of a smaller group within such a large church.

Location
Southwest Atlanta - Cascade Road & 285

Sunday Service Times
- 8 am
- 11 am

Church Type
Denomination – United Methodist Church
Size (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Medium

From the church website…
“What we believe…Our best chosen words can never adequately express the fullness of who we are as God’s people. Somehow, mental analysis cannot lend itself to full expressions of our hearts nor the heart of God. However, we acknowledge that we are God’s people and heirs with Christ. We have been blessed with a solid biblical foundation and deep theological roots which serve as our impetus for engaging ministry at Cascade and in the world. We have been given an abundance of spiritual blessings. We assume accountability and responsibility for sharing, in manifold ways, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

My Impressions
scale of 1 – 3; (1=below average; 2=average; 3=above average)
Sermon Style (preaching/teaching) – N/A
Music Ministry – 2
Friendliness (of members to me) – 2
Happiness Quotient (feeling of people receiving the spirit) – 2
Children/Youth Activities – 3
Service Time – 11 am – 1:15 pm

Unique Observations-
Given the 2008 political season, I recently was researching my state officials and discovered that both my State Senator and State Congressman attended the same church! When I found out that the church was the same Cascade United Methodist Church that I pass regularly on Cascade Road, I decided to add it to my list of churches to visit. I must admit I had never attended a United Methodist church before, however having been raised in a Catholic Church and attended many other Christian denominations including African Methodist Episcopal church I felt I was open enough to be receptive to their teachings and format.

My first impression of this church is put on your Sunday Best! While I had on a skirt, blouse and pumps – I felt underdressed as most of the people around me had on jackets and skirts.  Attire aside,  Sydney and I found our way to the front of the church prior to service beginning. Of course with a 1 1/2 daughter, most people immediately warm to you, so she made a few friends, while I was left still feeling a little like an outsider.

If a United Methodist service is anything like a Catholic service,  I was expecting a pretty structured format…and structure was the rule of the service. As soon as service begin, I was impressed with the number of female Associate Pastors – truly making Cascade United Methodist a standout in this area. During the service the Men’s choir injected soulful sounds into the traditional hymnals and we were treated to a dynamic dramatic Harriet Tubman performance in honor of Black History Month. Pastor Marvin Moss was away visiting another church, but Reverend Bernice Williams Kirkland did a good job delivering her sermon. I appreciated her content and the thought she had placed in creating her message.  Since Pastor Moss was away, I will have to plan a return trip to hear him and update this review at that time.

Overall, I would say that Cascade United Methodist Church is a traditional United Methodist Church with roots in the African-American experience. If you are looking for a reserved and upstanding church with impressive community outreach/impact and a roster of youth activities, add Cascade United Methodist Church to your list, just don’t forget your Sunday Best!

Salem East
5460 Hillandale Drive
Lithonia, GA 30058
(770) 981.2160
Pastor Joseph L. Williams and Senior Pastor Jasper W. Williams, Jr.
http://www.salembiblechurch.org

Location
Salem East – Southwest Atlanta
Salem West - Lithonia, GA

Sunday Service Times
8:30 a.m. -  9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Church Type
Denomination – Non-denominational
Size  (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Large

From the church website…
“The Vision – Salem Bible Church is a God First ministry with a calling to demonstrate God’s power and love through preaching, teaching, equipping and serving others to prepare us for the coming harvest and the return of our King the Lord Jesus Christ. The Mission – Preaching, practicing and producing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the spiritually and economically poor and brokenhearted; to those who have been emotionally wounded and bruised by life’s battles. “

Location
Atlanta, GA (Southwest Atlanta)

Sunday Service Times
7:45 am & 10:30 am

Church Type
Denomination – Baptist
Size (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Medium

From the church website…
“Our Church has something to offer for every one who wishes to receive.  At Jackson there is a ministry for you.  There are loving, and caring followers of Christ just waiting to take you wrap their arms around you in Christian Love. If you’re looking for a church home, we offer Jackson Memorial to you.  We look forward to seeing you soon.”

My Impressions
Unreviewed at this time.

Location
Southwest Atlanta/Cascade

Sunday Service Times
8 am
10:30 am
12:30 pm

Church Type
Denomination – Non-Denomination
Size (Small, Medium, Large, Mega) – Medium

From the church website…
Mission – “Hillside Chapel and Truth Center, Inc. is a healing ministry of the whole person: Spirit, Mind, and Body. Our sole purpose is to teach people – regardless of race, ethnic background, creed, or color – the practical approach to Truth (Christianity) as taught by the Master Teacher – Jesus the Christ.”

We are dedicated to the spiritual transformation of the entire planet. We are committed to being a point of empowerment allowing Spirit to direct every thought, word, deed and action for personal transformation. Our purpose is to serve as a spiritual community making available the Aramaic (the language of Jesus) translation of the Bible to all people by fostering their spiritual, cultural, and general well-being and to provide facilities for public worship, education, and fellowship.

My Impressions
Unreviewed at this time.