History
OUR HISTORY
Secretary: Roberta Culberson
Historian: Judy Guthrie
Council Members: Rachel Diaz, Frances Jones, and Dolores Mason.
The provisional committee voted to move Bro. Yates to Georgia and we would work with him to plant the new church. We were able to find a house located at 5104 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge, GA. The house had a 3
(cont.) bedrooms upstairs and a large meeting room downstairs. We rented the house and painted the rooms in preparation for the arrival of our new pastor. Meanwhile, we were still meeting in homes for Bible study and with the Belvedere group on Sundays.
In April 1989, Bro. Yates and his family arrived. We started meeting in the basement of the house for worship services. By September, we had outgrown the room in the basement and rented space at the Best Western Hotel, in Stockbridge for our meetings. The church grew and we had approximately 75 members.
In March 1990, Rev. Dwight Murphy, pastor of Rex Church of God passed away. The state notified us that the church property deed stated that a Church of God, Anderson, Indiana needed to meet in the facility and that we could take over the building & property for $1. We arranged to have a Maundy Thursday foot washing service there. There was no power and the building was in very poor repair. We decided to pay the past due electricity bill, do needed repairs, and use that facility for our worship services. The church was filled with loving saints working for the Lord to reach others for Christ. We had different outreach programs such as calling people in the demographic area telling them about our new church, reaching out to those in need, and showing true Christian love and concern to those we came in contact with. The women were very active in the State Women’s ministry group and hosted several events.
Through the years, God had provided different people to make the necessary repairs and updates. Frank and Brenda Smith worshipped with us in the early 90’s. During that time, Frank was unemployed and the church hired him to do the remodeling needed in the sanctuary and turn it around. A couple years later, Curtis and Eula Edwards worshipped with us. Curtis was able to remodel the back portion of the church so we would have a larger fellowship hall, kitchen, and nursery. He also made the bathrooms to be handicap accessible. Barbara Jones was a special lady in our congregation. We loved to laugh with her, she would play the piano for offertory specials, and loved to sing, she was extremely friendly, prayed for everyone, always welcomed new visitors, and was the light of our congregation. She was loved by all. In 1997, she was killed in a bus accident. Her death brought about people coming to accept Christ. The baptismal area and 2 front Sunday school rooms were built in her memory.
Bro. Bill & Sister Joy Yates lovingly served as pastors until his retirement in 2001. We are so thankful for their unselfish giving through the years.
History from July 2002- Feb-2017
Pastor Jeff Robinson accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor of the Southside Church of God family in July 2002. Under his guidance, the church has experienced tremendous growth and restructuring. The church is now poised for great growth and even greater ministry work.
Pastor Jeff received his education in the Atlanta Public School system, Georgia State University and Carver Bible College. He was taken to Martin Street Church of God in Atlanta at the age of two by his mother. Pastor Jeff was raised in the faith at Martin Street Church and accepted his call to ministry at nineteen.
Pastor Jeff’s ministry was molded under the guidance of Pastor Manuel Holston, beginning with children’s church, Sunday school, Youth ministry and eventually preaching and teaching the Word. His unique and anointed style of delivery has taken him all over the state of Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and various venues.
Pastor Jeff is married to Mayor Rochelle Robinson who served as the co-pastor and worship director. They have three beautiful children, Joel, Olivia, and Ana. They presently reside in Douglasville Ga.
2017-2018
After much prayer, Pastor Jeff transitioned from Senior Pastor of the now Total Renewal Church of God after 15 years of service, to pursue other ministry opportunities for the kingdom of God. Transition brings about change, and now we are in the capable hands of our new Pastor’s Whayne Clarke, Sr. and Dr. Tonya Clarke. Our prayer is that God will continue to guide this great work and the servants He sends to lead us.
The history of Total Renewal Church of God, to be continued!