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

Increase membership and participation through connecting with and serving those who reside in our community
Be a viable, spiritual place of worship 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
Develop effective communication to include appropriate use of technology
Secure congregation-approved financing and start construction of our new church facility
Prepare for the transition to our new church facility

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

Dr. Jim Simpson, Pastor

I was born in Hamilton, Scotland and lived in Motherwell, my home town, all the way through High School. Throughout this time I was continually encouraged by my parents in my faith and active participation in our local Church of Scotland congregation, St. Margaret’s. I regard myself as a “child of the church,” having never doubted God’s existence and presence in the world and the lives of people around me. I am a Well supporter and some say my blood is claret and amber!

The year after leaving High School I spent as a Training in Evangelism volunteer at the St. Ninian’s Centre in Crieff. I graduated from the University of Dundee with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 during that time I was accepted as a candidate for the Ministry of the Church of Scotland and became a candidate of the Presbytery of Hamilton before transferring to the Presbytery of Aberdeen, by whom I was licensed as a Preacher of the Gospel in June of 1986. That same year I graduated from the University of Aberdeen with my Bachelor of Divinity with Honors in Systematic Theology and Church History.

In 1983, Janice, my wife, and I were married. We have two children; Jennifer is married to Ryan and she is currently a stay at home mom with our two grandchildren, Kayleigh and Callum. Our son, works for Sojourners in Washington DC.

Arriving in the United Sates in 1996, I continued my theological education, graduating with my D.Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA in 2000.

My probationary year was spend at Bellshill West Parish and I was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Kincardine and Deeside on May 7, 1987, and inducted as Parish Minister in Newtonhill (Bourtreebush) and Portlethen Churches, near Aberdeen. I served there until accepting the call to serve the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Roswell GA in 1996. Between 2007 and 2009 I served as Director of Church Relations at Presbyterian College. I served as the Pastor and Head of Staff of Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill SC from 2009 to 2013 until moving to Blue Ridge GA to serve as Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in January of 2013. I am a minister member of Cherokee Presbytery.

My hobbies and interests include lots of sports, football, rugby and golf. I enjoy watching movies, traveling and good food and company.

The Rev. Susan Haynes, Pastoral Associate

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.

Kathy Wills, Director of Music

Kathy Wills is a native of Charleston, SC, where she completed a BA degree in Piano, Voice, and Organ Performance. She proceeded to the University of South Carolina where she completed an MM degree in Piano Pedagogy (the science of teaching) with additional studies in Harpsichord. Since then, she has taught music to all ages and levels of students and has produced many professional musicians. She has been very active as officer and judge for the Music Teachers National Association, the Georgia Music Teachers Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Her sacred music calling has led her to serve in churches of many denominations, especially Presbyterian (USA and PCA), United Methodist, Episcopalian, Baptist, as well as the Beth Elohim Jewish Synagogue in Charleston. While living in Atlanta, GA, she was Concert Artist and Factory Representative for the Kawai America Piano Corporation.

She currently enjoys the country life in the mountains West of Murphy, NC with her horses, dogs, cats, and whatever else shows up hungry. She teaches piano and voice at Faith Presbyterian and at her studio in downtown Murphy. She is also a 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and the Executive Director of the Christian Martial Arts Center in Murphy where self defense is taught in a nurturing Christian environment.