First Baptist Church of Atlanta is a Baptist megachurch located in Dunwoody, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Originally located in Atlanta city limits, First Baptist Atlanta moved to the suburb of Dunwoody, Georgia. The senior pastor is Anthony George, succeeding Charles Stanley who pastored there for 49 years.
History
The church was founded in 1848 in midtown Atlanta, Georgia.Martin Sinderman, First Baptist Church profits from relocating north, bizjournals.com, US, February 5, 2001 During the Civil War, the church was used as a Confederate hospital. Despite claims by senior pastor Charles Stanley that the church building was burned to the ground under the direct orders of General Sherman, the church remained standing and was used until a new sanctuary was built in 1869.
Charles Stanley, joined the staff in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971.Buck Lanford, Dr. Charles Stanley honored for 50 years of ministry, fox5atlanta.com, US, October 7, 2019Shelia Poole, Atlanta Pastor Charles Stanley’s ‘Life Principles Bible’ hits 1 million mark, ajc.com, US, December 19, 2017
In the late 20th century, a commercial facility was purchased on Atlanta's Interstate 285 and the church relocated to the larger, more accessible property in DeKalb County.Martin Sinderman, First Baptist Church profits from relocating north, bizjournals.com, US, February 5, 2001 In 2006, the church inaugurated a new building.Atlas Piers of Atlanta, Modern Renovation of First Baptist Church of Atlanta Worship Center, atlaspiers.com, p. 5, US, Spring/2006
In 2017, Anthony George was named as Stanley's successor.Shelia Poole, Who is Anthony George, the successor for Atlanta megachurch pastor Charles Stanley?, ajc.com, US, December 13, 2017
On September 13, 2020, Stanley announced his transition to pastor emeritus after having been senior pastor of the church since 1971. Shelia Poole, Charles Stanley steps down as senior pastor at First Baptist, ajc.com, USA, September 13, 2020
Ministries First Baptist Church Atlanta began a television and radio ministry in 1972, one year after Stanley became the senior pastor.Nicola Menzie, Charles Stanley's Ministry Launches 'Missing Persons Project' to Regain 'Forgotten Members', christianpost.com, US, April 26, 2013John Blake, Two preaching giants and the 'betrayal' that tore them apart, cnn.com, USA, November 19, 2012 It is now known as In Touch Ministries. Together, the teaching of Stanley and beliefs of FBA are available globally—translated into more than 100 languages via radio, television broadcast, audiotapes, videotapes, CDs, DVDs, pamphlets, books and a monthly devotional magazine, In Touch.
See also
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, a merger of two churches that began as missions of First Baptist
References
External links First Baptist Atlanta Website In Touch Website