Dr Stanley is one of the only pastors in our day that is true to the teaching of the Bible. 10…read moreyears ago when I lived in Atlanta I became a member. I have never felt so many warm and loving people in a church body. Yes it's a large church- you must get involved in a group study to begin to feel a part of the "church body". But even if you don't get involved- God is in this place. We had to move to another state and visited many churches in the past 8 years. I have moved back now and am thankful for all of the pastors at FBA and for a loving body of believers. No one is perfect- that's why we need Jesus- but you are loved and accepted at FBA just the way you are.

Excellent Biblical teaching with more overt expressions concerning Israel and politics from a…read moreconservative viewpoint. Leading a congregation without an opinion is unrealistic, so this isn't a bad thing. Nothing here is remotely comparable to the intense racial, socioeconomic, or political narratives pushed in many predominantly Black churches in the Atlanta metro area. They are conservatives at First Baptist Atlanta, take it or leave it. The Experience: Friendly and accommodating. It features blue screens, spotlights, and a lecture style. They don't use screens and lighting the way Gen Z churches do--don't expect flashing lights or vibrant backgrounds.* Congregation: Very mindful, very demure. Think: "I'll take my tea in the sunroom." * Dress Code: Modest and reserved. Sundresses for women, suits for men.* Demographics: 80% Caucasian, 10% Asian, 7% people of color, 3% other.* Socioeconomic: ~80% upper 1% to upper-middle class.* Optics: Beautiful, large, well-landscaped campus. No one actually sits by the fountain; it is strictly for decoration. * Parking: Plenty of parking with extremely smooth exiting. Very impressive for a church this size. *Tip: The campus is huge, so keep a pair of flats handy if you wear heels.*Worship Experience: Fabulous orchestra and solid choir. However, the same four praise team members sing all the songs. The musical style is traditional, CCM, country, bluegrass, and purist. The Pastor has noted, "If you want to hear something different, listen to it in your car." It felt culturally insensitive and laced with an unsettling undertone, likely indicating a resistance to needed change. Leadership & Staff: Institutionalized monoculture and homosocial reproduction. Baby boomers make up over 80% of the demographic. Millennials are rising but lack representation and mostly end up leaving. Family & Children: Children and college students are separated into their own ministries away from the general congregation. You rarely see them outside of designated "Family Night" outings. It feels like a 55+ community where you never see the kids or parents. I have never seen a single child held by a parent during the main service.Pastor: Friendly, patient, and a good listener (or a great actor). He is feisty from the pulpit with sound Biblical teaching, though leadership limitations and a lack of authority are noticeable at times.Areas of Concern: All groups with clergy of color are placed in low-visibility areas. Sunday ministers, guests, and performers are never people of color. Furthermore, it seems no one outside of fellow Mississippians gets new staff positions, which is puzzling given Mississippi's reputation regarding racial disparity. The same three "favorites" always stand in for the pastor. Why is there no rotation among so many qualified individuals? "Rick" (the guy always walking around with his blonde wife) can really preach, and Donna is the chef's kiss! Atlanta is full of gifted, anointed people from all walks of life. If heaven looks like all of us, why doesn't it look and sound like that here? Dr. Stanley found a way to balance diversity in this congregation. It is unclear how or why that came undone, but comparing old videos of the congregation to now is very telling.

This is a great church...today's message was great....i learned to have an attitude of…read moregratitude...I will definitely be back to get some more knowledge of the Bible

According to their motto, Impact is a "multi-cultural gathering of people committed to sharing the…read morelove of Christ with the world." Their tagline is : "Doing Church Differently" . After about five years of attendance here, I can attest that both these things are true. This is an awesome, awesome Christ-filled church unlike any other church you've attended (and that's coming from someone who's attended A LOT). Impact has only been in existence for eight years. When we first starting attending, service was held in the auditorium of a middle school (Brown middle). From the first time we stepped into the auditiorum, something about Impact struck me--it felt like HOME. Being a PK (preacher's kid), I was raised in church and had become a bit disillusioned by it after some bad experiences. But, since I knew that the problem revolved around the CHURCH and not in GOD, I knew I just needed to begin a journey to find the right church home for me. Once I moved to Atlanta, that's exactly what I did. I must've visited dozens of churches on my quest; some I liked, others I didn't, but none seemed to really grab me. I also had some stiff non-negotiables that I refused to compromise on. 1)The church needed to be diverse racially, and in sex, age and sexual orientation. 2) the praise and worship team needed to be the BOMB 3) the preaching had to be more like teaching than just screaming and "falling out in the spirit". 4) there needed to be ample opportunities to volunteer in and give back to community. Most churches I visited had SOME of these qualities but not one had ALL. ONLY Impact surpassed all my expectations and gave me even more than I asked for. I felt love and warmth the moment I stepped foot into the sanctuary. Then I heard the singing and the preaching and I was in love. At first the church felt like our little secret (which a church definitely is not supposed to be) but then it got bigger, and bigger and bigger. I remember when they announced that the church had become so popular that they had to add two extra services every sunday. Then last year they finally finished their new sanctuary which is so beautiful and modern, including a juice bar/coffee stand, awesome kids play/learn area and so much more. All Impact's success is a testament to the fact that God has truly blessed them. For a church to have only been around eight years yet they house thousands per service and are settled into their own beautiful building, built from the ground-up ...and are debt-free, that's unheard of!! It takes some churches twenty years to do that and then they end up paying it off for years. I am constantly blown away by Impact's vision and drive. Pastor Olu is a young, dynamic preacher who TEACHES rather than just shouts at the congregation. Again, as someone who grew up in church my whole life, I learn something new every Sunday and my wife who didn't grow up in church also learns so much and never gets lost due to christian jargon etc. The praise and worship team is INSANE. Impact does not have a choir but I guarantee if you just stood outside in the parking lot on a Sunday morning and listened to the praise team, you would not believe me. There are usually no more than 5-7 people on stage at a time yet they sound better than some full choirs I've heard in my life. Not only that but the style of singing and the team members themselves rotate constantly so you never get bored. The church is very diverse which is important to me. When I walk into a church I like to see that it appeals to ALL people . Black, white, asian, latino, gay, straight old, young and in-between. As a gay woman who attends with my wife, I feel very comfortable there and we've never gotten a dirty look or stare. Impact is always giving to the community. They provide a small scholarship for college students, they canvass the community, they build house via habitat for humanity and the list goes on. I'll stop here because I could go on and on about how much I love this church. The only other thing I'll say is, come experience it for yourself!

Love it. It's just the atmosphere it's forever charged .. something about the Holy Spirit . For me…read moreis receiving what's being offered . One downside is I would love to see the CROSS Jesus was crucified on a CROSS for OUR sins and as a symbol of such I would love to see one in the CHURCH. As of last Sunday there's none . Not saying my review is I'll make that change .. but that's just my observation and my humble opinion.

I felt the love of all the people as well as the love of God here. The pastor is truly anointed…read moreand has a heart for God. I feel bad that he seems to be so misunderstood. Satan is busy trying to turn people away from everything that will truly set you free! This church is it!

The word of truth seems to tug at you so much so until when you get home after hearing the pastor…read morespeak and exspound upon the word of God. You get home and think to yourself.... WOW!!!!! God really let me hear from heaven and opened me up to recieve his word. I've got to go study for this!!!! Because it makes you want to strive to get within God's exspectations you as you call yourself a Christian you want to know just as much as some of the other saints within the congregation so that you're not feeling left out.....Great church, Great leadership, May God's blessings forever reign down upon this congregation and it's leaders Hope to see you all soon Alonzo. Fairley Jr

I attend with a family member when I'm in town. Good message and friendly congregation! The head…read moreminister is engaging and displays a great sense of humor during his sermons. He is also conscientious of time. I really enjoy this church.

I really like this church, and I don't like many churches. The pastor is very energetic. They have…read morea conservative service at 0830, contemporary service at 1100, and Sunday school between. Great church for families. There is not a lot for single adults as far as Sunday school classes or activities, but everyone is so nice and they preach what I believe to be the proper message of Christ (it's real simple, love everybody) I go anyway.

Awesome church. We really love Southwest Christian church! One of the best things about the church…read moreis they make you feel like family because to them you are family they show everyone the love of Christ and they are very humble. The staff are all so awesome and after about a year of attending we decided to become members and were embraced with so much love I am just very thankful to be a part of a church who does so much for their members and community . We attend the service in the new location in Palmetto. They have dinners once a week for any who wants to attend and after they do a bible study for adults while the kids learn a fall and spring musical. If you are looking for a community of people that show the love of Jesus in s practical way then come check our Southwest Christian Church.

It's been some years since I visited the church and plan to visit there again by the grace of God…read moreamen Bishop RZ Mckissick is a great pastor and friend he is my children uncle Torri and Twyla Mckissick and l still consider him my brother first wife of his late brother Mr. Charlie James Mckissick may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding be with all of us who love him allow his children also l have done everything to contact you all Bishop please contact me at (470)-641-3457 .thank you so much in Christ Jesus Name hallelujah amen

We were blessed by our visit to this church. The warmth and kindness of the members were evident,…read moreand the message was delivered with clarity and purpose. Thank you for a spirit-filled service.

I have been living in GA for approx. 7 years, and I have visited a fair number of churches, but…read morethere is not one church that can compare to New Macedonia Baptist Church in Riverdale, GA. Although this looks like a mega church from the outside, this is one of the most loving, family oriented churches that I have attended. The members at this church, makes you feel welcomed as soon as you step foot inside. From the pastor on down, everyone is just as down-to-earth, loving, caring, and dedicated to ministry, the community, and the youth. If you are looking for a church home, where you can come as you are to praise God, get a good word, and make a joyful noise, then NMBC is for you. I have invited friends and family to this church who have joined, just because they're AMAZING. I just became a member at New Macedonia Baptist Church and have already been a part of the Easter Drama Production... there is so much to do, so many ministries to volunteer with and so much Christian Education to learn (Although I am a member, I am not paid for this review. This is my honest opinion of this organization)