We believe that our community doesn’t need another church service, what we believe is that it needs examples of people who do the things that Jesus did in a way that demonstrates love like Jesus did. We see that Jesus weeps over the lostness of Jerusalem, we see Him reaching out to the poor in spirit, and we see Him loving His disciples. We believe that we are able to reach our community not by having great church programs but rather authentic relationships, first among fellow Christ followers and second among those who have yet to place their faith in Jesus Christ. There are two things that work together that promote a desire for God and these are the two principle commands that Jesus gives His disciples – Love one another as I have loved you and go make disciples.
John 13:34-35 (NKJV) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
So how do we plan on reaching our community? First we do it one person at a time. Second we stay focused on those in our immediate community. Third, duplicate steps one and two throughout Dawson County and beyond.
We do not plan on striving to getting to a big launch day and then seeking to maintain the large group that gathers. We will be more organic, relentless in developing people rather than programs. Does this mean we will be smaller longer – in the eyes of expert church planters – probably, but as the Prophet Zechariah says – ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6b). We would rather have the Spirit of God build a church than risk the possibility that we did.
Lead Pastor – Jeff Birmingham
Jeff and Jessica Birmingham have two great passions in life: First, they desire to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and secondly, they are passionate to love their neighbor as themselves. Jeff and Jessica follow the Biblical definition of neighbor as everyone who crosses their path. Radical obedience to God’s call has led the Birminghams from Colorado to Florida to Dubai, back to Florida and now to Georgia, each step of their journey strengthening their faith and deepening their resolve to honor and glorify God above anything else.
In 2007, Pastor Jeff graduated from Calvary Chapel Melbourne School of Ministry and received the call to plant a church in 2012. After much prayer and multiple visits to Georgia God revealed that they would be planting a Calvary Chapel in North Georgia.
If you sense something is lacking in your spiritual life, if you recognize the importance of guarding against deception in the society in which we currently find ourselves and if you are tired of “playing church”, please invest your time wisely by listening to God’s message to you at River Rocks Church. Their motivation is simple: We love because He first loved us; we serve because He first served us!
The Birminghams have 3 adorable children and are currently obeying God’s call to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in Dawsonville, GA.
Hear Jeff and Jessica share their story on the Faith Talk Live radio program: