Our Church

Vision Statement

Called by God to be Faith Presbyterian Church of the North Georgia Mountains, we welcome all to join together to worship God. Committed to following Jesus' example,we joyfully share God's love,grace and gifts with all our church family and community.

Led by the Holy Spirit,we invite all to grow spiritually in this community of Faith.

Mission Statement

By God's love and grace, we are Called,Committed and Led

Priorities for Faith Presbyterian

Identify creative opportunities to safely engage, worship, and learn together, recognizing the continued challenge of Covid-19.
Increase membership and participation through connecting with and serving those who reside in and beyond our community.
Continue as a spiritual community worshiping God by the sharing of our time, talent, and treasure.
Equip and encourage all to follow in Jesus' footsteps and to show God's love, grace, and care.
Develop effective church leaders.
Expand effective communication to include appropriate use of technology and social media.
Pursue a sustainable way, including volunteer support, of video streaming (Zoom) for worship and other events.
Continue to transition to our new church facility.
Invite continuing participation in our “Growing in Faith Together” campaign (GIFT) supporting our ongoing life and witness.

History

Faith Today

Faith Presbyterian Church continues its ministry in its very visible downtown location. Since 2004, the average worship attendance has grown 73 %, while membership has risen by 28%, making Faith Presbyterian Church one of the fastest growing churches in the Cherokee Presbytery. As in the beginning, the congregation is actively involved in the church and its ministries, many of which have been in place since the inception of the church. The congregation’s commitment to the work of the Lord through serving people was established by the founders and continues today. Faith Presbyterian has one of the most dedicated and active congregations in the area and continues to support a variety of local, national, and international ministries with their time, talents, and money. A complete list of ministries and activities is too long to include in this writing. An abbreviated list of local ministries and activities includes: Feed Fannin, Snack in a Backpack, Food Pantry, Fannin Christian Learning Center, Fannin County Family Connection, Open Arms of Blue Ridge, Good Samaritans Labor Day Bar-B-Q and Thanksgiving Open Table, Casting for Recovery, Faithful Knitters, East Fannin Elementary School socks, underwear and t-shirt collection, FDA Seamless Summer feeding program for children, Bowls of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, North Georgia Crisis Center, and Heritage Care Center, and tutoring students at Blue Ridge Elementary School. Faith Today

The Rev. Susan Haynes, Interim Pastor

Before attending seminary, Susan held various positions in the business world, including owning and running a small business.

Prior to becoming a Teaching Elder, she served as a Deacon (ordained at Stockbridge Presbyterian, Stockbridge, GA) and as a Ruling Elder (ordained at Ray-Thomas Memorial Presbyterian, Marietta, GA). While serving as a Ruling Elder in Cherokee Presbytery, Susan was a Commissioned Lay Pastor, served on the Committee on Ministry (one year as Chair), was Moderator of Presbytery 1987-88, and was a Ruling Elder Commissioner to the 1994 General Assembly. Susan's involvement in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta as a member minister for the past 16 years has included chairing the Committee on Ministry and serving as Clerk of the Permanent Judicial Commission. In the years leading to her coming to Faith, Susan served as a Senior Pastor and head of staff for churches in transition.

As Pastoral Associate for Pastoral Care and Mission & Outreach, Susan shares in preaching and worship leadership and as pastoral support to the Congregational Care Planning Team and the individual Shepherds. additionally, she provides primary pastoral care response to the needs of members and friends of the congregation and serves as staff liaison and resource to the Mission and Outreach Planning Team.

Dr. Phillip Mitchell, Director of Music

Phillip has led choirs in Baptist and Disciples of Christ churches. He taught himself to play piano as a child and learned to read music as a trumpet player in school. He’s written hundreds of songs, four church musicals, and has placed three songs in the finals and several more in the semifinals of the UK Songwriting Contest. He recently signed publishing contracts with Perpetual Music Group and Price Royalty Publishing. He’s also been named “One to Watch” over a dozen times by the Nashville Songwriters Association and has had several songs nominated for inclusion in the quarterly publishers luncheon.

When he’s not working on music, he’s teaching English at the University of North Georgia where he was recently promoted to associate professor and granted tenure. He holds a B.A. in theology from the Baptist College of Florida, an M.A. in English from the University of West Georgia, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK.