We attend Berean Baptist Church in Lilburn, Georgia, just outside the Atlanta perimeter off Stone Mountain Highway. Berean is a Baptist church--more specifically, an "Independent Fundamental Baptist Church", if such labels are important for you.

Ministries at Berean 

The ministries of Berean Baptist cover a wide range; for those who wish to put their spiritual gifts and talents to active use, Berean is a wonderful place to serve and learn! Since we joined Berean in 2000, we've been in choir, helped in the nursery, taught children's Sunday School, performed in plays, presented dramatic readings, traveled on mission trips, and helped gather photos for the online church member directory.

Our Church Family 

Since we live rather a long distance from our childhood homes and families, our appreciation for Berean as a "second family" is growing each year. Church members are generous of their time and resources, and have helped us when we were going through difficult times. The amazing generosity at our daughter's baby shower (during a difficult financial time several years ago) is something we'll never forget! The church nursery is fully staffed at each service, and covers ages newborn through age four; Sunday School classes are provided for ages five through adult. The adults' classes are frequently topic-focussed; at present, we're in a year-long Marriage and Parenting class.

The Music Ministry 

No description of Berean would be complete without a comment about the music ministry. (In the interest of full disclosure, let me add that I and Jessica are both in the choir!) Our pastor, Dr. Danny Sweatt, is an author and gospel singer himself, and is well-respected among conservative musicians. Berean's music ministry strives to direct the congregation to focus upon God, the Bible and the preaching of His Word--not to be an end to itself or mere entertainment. The musical style is appropriate to and respectful of the message, and is stylistically above the typical "junk food" of most contemporary Christian radio.

What's a "Berean"? 

One refreshing aspect of Berean that sets it apart in my mind is the continual encouragement of a Berean attitude; this refers to believers described in Acts 17:10-12:

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable woman which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."

A Berean believer is one who compares what he hears--and what he does--with what the Bible says. It's a Christian who takes the "trust, but verify" motto to heart by finding pastoral leadership he can trust, but still verifies that what the church is doing is Biblical. Berean Baptist encourages this attitude, and eschews the fundamentalist caricature of "do what the preacher says and never ask any questions." This is particularly evident in the Wednesday evening Bible study: it's informal and is designed toward a "Q&A" format where the congregation is encouraged to answer and participate in the discussion.

Ready for a Challenge? 

If you're looking for a church where you can just sit and not be challenged to change--Berean is not for you!

If you are looking for a church...

• where you can grow and change...
• where you can learn Biblical teaching about raising your family,
• where teachers work with you to train children to love God,
• where you are challenged to look at everday life's problems Biblically;
• and where you are encouraged through fellowship with like-minded Christians also yearning to walk the walk...

Come Visit Us! 

You can find driving directions to Berean Baptist Church here; when you visit, tell folks that you read about Berean at Troy and Jessica's web site.