In the Fall of 2004, The Foundation for Evangelism highlighted a special piece on a new church plant. Rev. John Kenney, a member of the Fitzgerald Program for New Church Pastors kept a diary of his experience of planting the new church, The Quest Church.We followed up with Pastor Kenney to see what a difference transforming lives through Jesus Christ for 6 years makes and where the church plant is at today.

Here is what he wrote.

God is all about the journey.  So often we focus on the destination, but the journey there is the best part and where we are truly transformed.  This has certainly been true for me as a new church planter in The North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church.

In July of 2004, the vision that a small group of people from my home church had was birthed as I was appointed to make that vision a reality through the launch of The Quest Church.  This church would be a community where any and all could “experience God, experience relationships, and experience change” (still our vision!).  We envisioned ourselves as a multi-generational church community with an emphasis on reaching emerging generations.  We knew that to do this would mean stepping out and taking some risks and experimenting with new methods.  We were up to the task.

The first couple of years were tough.  There were days when I wasn’t sure we would make it one more year, or even one more week!  But we continued down the path and through the tireless efforts of those first “missionaries” (our launch team) we started to grow and see our vision come to fruition.   This happened largely through relational connections of our team members.  People connecting with people.  One person sharing with another person.  We began to see that the Gospel really is all about community.  It is experienced most fully in community!

The next few years were somewhat easier.  By that I mean that I didn’t have as many days where I wondered if we’d make it.  The community was alive and well and growing.  I no longer knew everyone’s name.  We added a second worship service, hired more staff, multiplied our small groups, and become involved more heavily in local and global missions.

Statistically our church community has grown about 50% a year, although in the last couple years that trend has slowed.  We currently average just over 400 adults and children on Sunday mornings.  About half that number are in small groups.  We have just over 250 members.  Most of our members join by profession or reaffirmation of faith, though a few transfer from other church communities.

The journey is not over.  In many ways, it feels like everything is just beginning.  In fact, I truly believe that the potential of this local church community is only starting to be realized.  As I have continued on this journey as pastor of this new church, I have seen the hand of God in ways I could have never imagined.  I have seen lives completely transformed by the power of God right in front of me.   I have seen people come to know Jesus and live according to His teachings.  I have witnessed marriages healed and restored, families put back together, and relationships reconciled.  In addition I have been amazed to see how church community can truly impact a person’s life in such a way that they make career and other decisions to remain a part of vital church community.  It’s been amazing.  Utterly amazing!

I have never been more excited about this church community as I am today.  I feel like I say that every day, but it is true!  In the hands of God, we will reach this community and the world for His Kingdom’s sake.  I believe it is possible.  And I believe it will happen!

Pastor John Kenney