Two Church of God Congregations Land on Prestigious List
Outreach magazine, one of the most respected publications appealing to churches across the nation, has released their annual Outreach 100 Megachurch Report, featuring the country’s 100 fastest-growing churches. Two Church of God congregations made the prestigious list, including one that landed in the Top 10.
Citylife Church of Tampa, Florida came in at No. 7, while Cornerstone Church in Athens, Ga., was listed as the #65 fastest-growing church in America.
Outreach has been described as, “the gathering place of ideas, insights and stories for Christian churches focused on reaching out to their community—locally and globally—with the love of Christ.” Their primary readers are pastors and church leaders, as well as laity who are passionate about outreach.
According the publication’s website, it has been awarded both secular and Christian recognition for excellence in content and presentation. Outreach magazine serves as a “fresh stream of practical resources and tactics for pastors and volunteer leadership in all areas of outreach.” It is published in both print and iPad editions and also hosts a website at OutreachMagazine.com.
In the special edition, Citylife Church was touted as, “a passionate, presence-driven church with high-energy worship and a relevant message that strives to create an atmosphere of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Diversity is celebrated, with more than 50 nationalities attending every Sunday, and guests are honored with warm and friendly hospitality.”
Tony Stewart
Kaci Stewart
Senior Pastor Tony Stewart said, “Citylife strives to meet the needs of our community and world with pillar ministries—not just youth, children and standard men’s and women’s ministries, but unique ones like single moms, human trafficking and prison ministry. Block parties are offered to the community at various times of the year, such as back-to-school season and Thanksgiving. One of the most unique offerings is our new ministry for children with special needs.” He serves citylife along with his wife, Kaci, who leads praise and worship.
Citylife’s mission is to, “become smaller as they grow larger, to be a place where people count and every life matters.”
Statistics listed in the feature stated that Citylife was founded in 1927 and currently has an attendance of 3,071 between two locations. The numbers increased by 370 representing a 40% growth rate. More information on Citylife can be found at www.CitylifeChurch.cc.
Scott Sheppard is senior pastor of Cornerstone Church which Outreach ranked as the 65th fastest-growing church with additional new attendees of 309 and a growth rate of 28% in two locations. Founded in 1948, the church has a current attendance of over 1,400.
Scott and Elizabeth Sheppard
CornerstoneAthens.cc states about the church, “Whether you have been around church your entire life, or this is your first peek into it, Cornerstone Church Athens has something for you. Our hope is that you will take the next step into this community of believers. As you experience Cornerstone, you will begin to see that our church is more than just a building and ministries. We believe that ‘every seat tells a story’—stories that are important to God and to us. Cornerstone is all about people. We are a diverse community of people led by Christ to bring hope, strength and change to the world, one life at a time—loving God, growing together and helping others.”
Church of God General Overseer Tim Hill offered his congratulations to the two pastors and their congregations.
“I am so pleased to see Outreach magazine recognize and honor Citylife and Cornerstone for such excellent growth,” Hill stated. “Their diverse ministries and outreach, led by Spirit-filled senior pastors Tony Stewart and Scott Sheppard, help to demonstrate why their growth is significant. Having these two churches listed in Outreach is celebrated throughout the Church of God.”
The mission of Outreach magazine is, “to further the kingdom of God by empowering Christian churches to reach their communities for Jesus Christ.”
