Stone Mountain
Georgia
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Voices of Faith Ministries
About Voices of Faith
During the summer of 1993, God spoke to Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr.'s heart while still a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Norcross, GA. God wanted Bishop Hawkins to begin a new ministry in the Stone Mountain, GA area.
initial call led Bishop Hawkins and his family to begin a bible study class on February 8, 1994 at Brownsmill Recreation Center in Lithonia, GA. Using parables of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Bishop Hawkins gave thought-provoking insight into scriptures, which began to draw more people into the ministry.
Through a great deal of prayer, Bishop Hawkins was beginning to receive more of the vision for the Church. On August 21, 1994, the ministry of Voices of Faith (VOF) was birthed. The very first service was held at Greater Life Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. Eighty-two devoted family and friends came to worship. Three joined at that service.
After a second service was held at Greater Life Baptist Church, VOF returned to Brownsmill Recreation Center. Every Sunday, from September 1994 to July 1995, the faithful and obedient members set up dozens of chairs in the recreational center. They were sowing the seeds for the new members God was going to send VOF.
Bishop Hawkins earnestly prayed to teach more and for a more permanent church home. God answered, Rockbridge Road Baptist Church, a predominately white congregation in Stone Mountain, GA, opened its doors to VOF. On July 16, 1995, the two churches began holding their services under one roof. Voices of Faith's congregation grew solidly holding its Sunday worship services at 7:45 a.m.
VOF moved on October 21, 1997, to Stephenson Middle school in Stone Mountain, GA. This is when God took us through a two-year wilderness experience to test our love and commitment to Him.
God blessed VOF with the finances to purchase 20 acres of land with a 6,000-square-foot sanctuary. The edifice was completed within six months and the 75 member congregation held its first service in its new sanctuary on July 25, 1999.
By December 5, 1999, the VOF congregation had multiplied tremendously. To accommodate the growth, a second worship service was added. Bishop Hawkins' vision from God for a "City of Faith" continued to unfold.
VOF also has an Activity Center, Community Food Pantry and Clothing Boutique. These facilities were purchased in January 2001, and sit on five acres of property.
At the heart of the “City of Faith” is a 40,000 square-foot Family Life Center, which opened for worship services in June 2002. The 2,000 seat center includes a full size basketball court, a bookstore; an aerobic room, weight room, men's and women's saunas, hair salon, barber shop, kitchen, and banquet room.
In January 2004 a ground breaking ceremony was held for the VOF Christian Day Care. The center will provide childcare and schooling for infants 6 weeks – K4. The center opened November 2004.
On April 1, 2004 VOF purchased a $1.6 million dollar property approx. .5 mile from the main campus. This is the site of VOF Christian Academy. Classes began September 7, 2004 for student’s K5 - 3rd grade.
In June 2004, Bishop Hawkins received a message from God to extend his ministry to Rockdale County. We had several members who traveled from Rockdale County each week to attend VOF at our Gwinnett County location. After a review of the demographic and diversity issues in Rockdale County, Bishop Hawkins stepped out on faith and took his plan for a new church to the county officials in Rockdale County. Through prayer, fasting, and the support of his congregation in Stone Mountain, God opened the hearts and doors of Rockdale County so that our first service could be conducted in Rockdale High School on July 18, 2004 as Bishop Hawkins had planned. During this service over 91 people attended. On that day four joined at our new location, which has been named Voices of Faith Rockdale. The Grand Opening Celebration will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at 9:30 am.
Today, VOF has over 9,000 faithful, spirited-filled members and holds two services every Sunday at the Stone Mountain location and one at the Rockdale location in Conyers. Its servants have launched more than four dozen ministries to carry out the church's vision: "To reach and disciple the unchurched with love and simplicity."
The Voices of Faith Cathedral and an Assisted Living Complex are also being planned as a part of the City of Faith.
To God, we give the glory!
To God, we give the praise!
Vision:
“To reach and disciple the unchurched with love and simplicity.”
During the summer of 1993, God spoke to Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr.'s heart while still a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Norcross, GA. God wanted Bishop Hawkins to begin a new ministry in the Stone Mountain, GA area.
initial call led Bishop Hawkins and his family to begin a bible study class on February 8, 1994 at Brownsmill Recreation Center in Lithonia, GA. Using parables of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Bishop Hawkins gave thought-provoking insight into scriptures, which began to draw more people into the ministry.
Through a great deal of prayer, Bishop Hawkins was beginning to receive more of the vision for the Church. On August 21, 1994, the ministry of Voices of Faith (VOF) was birthed. The very first service was held at Greater Life Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. Eighty-two devoted family and friends came to worship. Three joined at that service.
After a second service was held at Greater Life Baptist Church, VOF returned to Brownsmill Recreation Center. Every Sunday, from September 1994 to July 1995, the faithful and obedient members set up dozens of chairs in the recreational center. They were sowing the seeds for the new members God was going to send VOF.
Bishop Hawkins earnestly prayed to teach more and for a more permanent church home. God answered, Rockbridge Road Baptist Church, a predominately white congregation in Stone Mountain, GA, opened its doors to VOF. On July 16, 1995, the two churches began holding their services under one roof. Voices of Faith's congregation grew solidly holding its Sunday worship services at 7:45 a.m.
VOF moved on October 21, 1997, to Stephenson Middle school in Stone Mountain, GA. This is when God took us through a two-year wilderness experience to test our love and commitment to Him.
God blessed VOF with the finances to purchase 20 acres of land with a 6,000-square-foot sanctuary. The edifice was completed within six months and the 75 member congregation held its first service in its new sanctuary on July 25, 1999.
By December 5, 1999, the VOF congregation had multiplied tremendously. To accommodate the growth, a second worship service was added. Bishop Hawkins' vision from God for a "City of Faith" continued to unfold.
VOF also has an Activity Center, Community Food Pantry and Clothing Boutique. These facilities were purchased in January 2001, and sit on five acres of property.
At the heart of the “City of Faith” is a 40,000 square-foot Family Life Center, which opened for worship services in June 2002. The 2,000 seat center includes a full size basketball court, a bookstore; an aerobic room, weight room, men's and women's saunas, hair salon, barber shop, kitchen, and banquet room.
In January 2004 a ground breaking ceremony was held for the VOF Christian Day Care. The center will provide childcare and schooling for infants 6 weeks – K4. The center opened November 2004.
On April 1, 2004 VOF purchased a $1.6 million dollar property approx. .5 mile from the main campus. This is the site of VOF Christian Academy. Classes began September 7, 2004 for student’s K5 - 3rd grade.
In June 2004, Bishop Hawkins received a message from God to extend his ministry to Rockdale County. We had several members who traveled from Rockdale County each week to attend VOF at our Gwinnett County location. After a review of the demographic and diversity issues in Rockdale County, Bishop Hawkins stepped out on faith and took his plan for a new church to the county officials in Rockdale County. Through prayer, fasting, and the support of his congregation in Stone Mountain, God opened the hearts and doors of Rockdale County so that our first service could be conducted in Rockdale High School on July 18, 2004 as Bishop Hawkins had planned. During this service over 91 people attended. On that day four joined at our new location, which has been named Voices of Faith Rockdale. The Grand Opening Celebration will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at 9:30 am.
Today, VOF has over 9,000 faithful, spirited-filled members and holds two services every Sunday at the Stone Mountain location and one at the Rockdale location in Conyers. Its servants have launched more than four dozen ministries to carry out the church's vision: "To reach and disciple the unchurched with love and simplicity."
The Voices of Faith Cathedral and an Assisted Living Complex are also being planned as a part of the City of Faith.
To God, we give the glory!
To God, we give the praise!
Vision:
“To reach and disciple the unchurched with love and simplicity.”