Beautiful Tates Creek Baptist Church hosts Liberty Baptist Association

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Tates Creek Baptist Church gathered for worship in their new worship center and Pastor Beatty welcomes new members into the fellowship. ASHLEY SHARP/Special

TOCCOA - Tates Creek Baptist Church in the Toccoa area opened their doors for the annual Liberty Baptist Association meeting on Oct. 7. Tates Creek is “The church where everybody is somebody,” and on the first Sunday night in October those in attendance for the meeting easily got the impression that the church carries out their maxim with dedication and consistency.

Tates Creek Baptist Church with a cross on top of the steeple pointing to the sky.

The meeting, hosted by Tates Creek and Pastor Jerrell Beatty, welcomed guests and members from the churches comprising the Liberty Baptist Association where Keith Ivey serves as the Associational Mission Strategist. There were the typical reports from Georgia Baptist and Southern Baptist entities, a sumptuous meal featuring the Baptist bird, fried chicken, and a selection of delectable desserts.

A children’s choir from Haiti was a vital part of the evening’s inspirational program, and their singing was beautiful, colorful, and inspiring.

Many in attendance were not only impressed with the program, but the beauty of the new worship center of Tates Creek Baptist Church. The church moved into the new facility earlier this year, and it has to be one of the most beautiful church buildings in the state.

The new sanctuary seats 700 people and also has classrooms, a music suite, and support and utility rooms. The beautiful design, the rich tones, the exquisite craftsmanship, the well-appointed décor, and the colorful stain-glassed windows invite worshippers to a spiritual restorative oasis every Sunday.

Three of the beautiful stained glass windows highlighting vignettes (scenes) from the life of Christ. GERALD HARRIS/Index

The church is in a rural area on the border of Banks and Stephens Counties and when one rounds the bend and sees the building on a hummock, the sight is impressive, but the inside of the building is even more visually extraordinary.

Pastor Beatty explained, “We started talking about the need for a new building in 2008 and began having services in the gymnasium on April 9, 2008.” A capital funds campaign was initiated for the building that cost $3.9 million. We had our first service in the building on March 14 and had a great day.”

Estimates on the attendance on Easter 2018 ranged from 410 to 600, but all agreed that is was a fabulous start and provided room for additional growth.

Beatty added, “I came to Tates Creek on March 27, 2002; and my greatest experience has been to see God at work, saving souls and changing lives. My vision for Tates Creek is to see it ‘running over’ and on fire for Jesus!”

Liberty Association, Tates Creek Baptist Church