Dear Church Family,

I wanted to share an update with you as we continue this unique journey together.

On Wednesday, July 1, we officially completed the sale of our church property. While our congregation formally concluded its ministry on December 21, 2025, many important details remained to be completed over the past six months. Throughout that process, we have continued to see God's faithful hand at work.

Many of you may wonder why this is our first public update since the church closed. The simple answer is that the sale of the property became much more complex than anyone anticipated. Throughout the process, we faced unexpected obstacles, particularly in our dealings with local government, that created delays and uncertainty. Because those circumstances were constantly changing, we intentionally chose not to make public announcements that we might later have to revise or retract. We believed it was best to wait until every detail had been finalized before communicating with you. While the process was often difficult, we remained confident that God was directing our steps. Thank you for your patience, your prayers, and your trust throughout this journey.

One of the greatest blessings has been watching the resources entrusted to our church continue to serve His Kingdom. Truck loads of furniture, audio video equipment, kitchen supplies, and other items have already been donated to five churches, our local baptist association, Calvary Refuge Center, a christian camp, a ministry in Haiti, and a christian podcast. It has been a joy to see these resources receive new life in ministries that are actively sharing the Gospel and serving others.

Many have also asked about the future of the building. I am thankful to share that the new owners have no plans to tear it down. Instead, they intend to renovate the property for office space and an event center. While its purpose will be different, we are grateful that the building will continue to be a significant landmark on Main Street in Forest Park.

The work of the Legacy Board is far from over. In the months ahead, these faithful men and women will be working closely with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and other trusted consultants to prayerfully identify opportunities to invest the proceeds from the sale into churches and ministries that will faithfully use those resources to grow and multiply God's Kingdom. We are committed to being wise stewards of this legacy, and we will keep you informed as those plans develop.

I'm also excited to share that the Legacy Board has begun work on a documentary celebrating the 152-year history of our church. It will preserve the stories of God's faithfulness, the ministry of generations of faithful members, and the impact this church has had on our community and beyond. When the project is complete, it will be made available for everyone to enjoy.

Although this chapter has come to a close, God's work continues in new ways. For 152 years, He used this church to proclaim the Gospel, disciple believers, and serve our community. Today, through the ministries we have already been able to support and through the faithful stewardship of the remaining resources, we believe He will continue using the legacy of this church to strengthen His Kingdom for generations to come.

Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your trust throughout this entire process. We are excited to begin sharing regular updates with you as the work of the Legacy Board continues. Please continue to pray for wisdom as we seek to honor the Lord with every decision. We look forward to keeping you informed in the months ahead and sharing the ways God continues to use the legacy of our church to advance His Kingdom.

With gratitude,

Elliott Yancey

Pastor