October 2, 2026
SENOIA, Ga. — New Hope Baptist Church in Senoia welcomed hundreds of families to its second annual Christmas Store on Dec. 12–13. The event is designed to support families across Fayette and Coweta counties, providing assistance with dignity and joy while sharing the love of Christ in a tangible way.
Held at the church’s campus on Highway 74, the Christmas Store provided a dignified, joy-filled shopping experience for 150 families, impacting 630 individuals. Parents and guardians were invited to choose gifts for their children in a setting designed to preserve the delight of giving.
The effort is made possible by the overwhelming generosity of the New Hope congregation and its community partners. This year, New Hope collected 2,650 brand-new gifts and 530 coats, far surpassing expectations.
The event required an army of help, and 360 volunteers served across every facet of the two-day outreach, from greeting families, assisting shoppers, wrapping gifts, leading children’s activities, and spending time in prayer with guests.
Senior Pastor Rhys Stenner said the event embodied what the church hopes to see in its community impact. “The Christmas Store is more than an event; it’s a reflection of generosity in action,” Stenner said. “Seeing our church family and community come together to serve, give, and share the hope of Christ is incredibly humbling. The impact goes far beyond numbers; it reaches hearts, families, and futures.”
Along with New Hope’s transformed “Winter Wonderland” that provided printed family photos, sock skating and snow, families enjoyed complimentary gift wrapping and holiday treats. A bustling Kids Area provided opportunities for children to make crafts, select small gifts for their parents/guardians, and take an adventure to Bethlehem, where they heard the story of Jesus in an interactive setting. Meanwhile, parents were able to purchase two high-quality gifts per child, each valued over $30, for only $7.50, along with free stocking stuffers, coats, and other surprises.
The event is also meant to meet deeper community needs. An on-site Jobs Desk registered 36 individuals, all of whom will be contacted and interviewed before Christmas. Most meaningful to New Hope, however, were the 17 professions of faith made during the weekend.
Missions Minister Rich Terry said the store’s impact extended well beyond the final checkout.
“The blessings of the Christmas Store didn’t end as the last shopper left the building on Saturday afternoon,” Terry said. “All of the leftover gifts, toys, and coats were donated to our local ministry partner, The I-58 Mission, ensuring that children and families continue to be supported well beyond the holiday season.”
Those donations, which are double what the church provided last year, will allow I-58 Mission to distribute resources throughout 2026.
Church leaders say the initiative is possible only because of the combined efforts of volunteers, community partners, and local sponsors who share a vision for serving their neighbors in Christ’s name.
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