By Greg Heyman
A new style of worship, marketing campaign and focus on reaching its community have not only reversed declining membership at one south Alabama church, but also carried its membership beyond its peak four years ago.
Today, Golden Acres Baptist Church in northwest Phenix City averages 276 people in Bible study. That total compares with 116 people in Bible study a few years ago.
The attendance in Bible study is only eclipsed by the number of people who have joined the church recently. The church’s highest membership in 1997 was 650 members, compared to approximately 1,100 members now.
Pastor Tommy Fountain Sr. said 418 people have joined the church since 1997. Of that number, 159 have come by baptism.
“We have had enormous increases in new members and baptisms,” said Fountain, who has been at the church three-and-a-half years. Eighty-four of the total new members have joined the church since September, with 46 of the 159 baptisms during the same period. And Fountain expects the increases to continue. “We haven’t even had our spring revival, nor have we had our Vacation Bible School,” he said.
Church member Dennis Fowler praised Fountain as the catalyst behind the growth. But he said the real source of the church’s expansion is obvious.
“I think the Lord’s got His hand on it,” said Fowler, who has attended Golden Acres almost five years. “I believe people are surrendering themselves to the Lord and He’s working through them.”
Fountain said the church is located across two railroad tracks in a changing community that has seen better days. “The area that used to be, probably back in the 1950s, a pretty middle-class neighborhood, has declined considerably,” he said.
But a marketing campaign and a worship style that includes more music have not only helped Golden Acres rebuild its membership, but also grow.
“We’ve gone away from the traditional style of worship,” Fountain said. “It’s more of a blended service. We do about 30 minutes of music and then about 30 minutes of preaching.”
Fountain said the blended style of worship features southern gospel music, contemporary music and traditional music, along with a praise band. “We try to mix it all in,” he said.
As a result in the growth of membership, the church has begun two Sunday morning worship services. Another factor he believes is behind the church’s revival is support from its members.
“I think they’re enjoying the worship experience and enthusiasm is contagious,” Fountain said. “I just think God’s hand is upon it.” Fountain said prior to his arrival, the church boasted a “good core group” that had remained faithful while the church was experiencing difficult times. He said most of them also supported changes to the worship style and evangelism efforts.
“They have not necessarily fought the change,” Fountain said. “We lost a few folks early, but the major core group of the folks kind of came on board and they have welcomed the new people into the church — so it’s kind of phenomenal.”
Fowler agreed there is a spirit of unity in the church because of what is happening there.
“It’s phenomenal to be in the congregation and see the Lord work through His people,” Fowler said.
Fountain said he and church members knew that along with an advertising campaign and more contemporary worship, they also had to go knocking on doors.
“We’ve canvassed the area four times already in a little over three years,” Fountain said. “We’re doing our best there with our youth and children’s ministries. They’re doing a tremendous job.” He said church members come from Phenix City as well as nearby Columbus, Ga., and Fort Benning, Ga.
With the increased membership comes a need for larger facilities. Fountain said a new 33,000-square foot building that includes a 750-seat sanctuary with 40 classrooms and a fellowship hall will be located near the 280 bypass. The kickoff for the campaign to raise funds began with a banquet Jan. 14.
Currently, the church has a 350-seat sanctuary, with an office complex and two-story education building that has classrooms.
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