Encounter the God you’ve been searching for

Encounter Church is a group of everyday people dedicated to serving Jesus and one another. Our goal is that we will be a vessel through which others will come to know and to serve Jesus.

We'd love for you to join us on this adventure.

Where do we meet?

Athens Campus

660 West Broad Street, Athens GA 30601

Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

Lavonia Campus

Hampton Inn and Suites, Conference Room A

(115 Owens Drive, Lavonia, GA 30553)

Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

FAQs

  • When you are here, you’ll find a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and a community of people encountering God together through worship, prayer, and a message from the Bible.

    If you want coffee and some great conversations, please come early. People usually start arriving about 30 minutes before the service starts to talk and hang out.

  • Yes, we do! We start with families worshipping together at the beginning of the service. Then, after worship, the children can go with their trained leaders who have passed background checks and have been trained in keeping children safe. They will experience a lesson in God’s Word followed by a time to play together.

  • We hold to the core beliefs that the church has always held since its beginning. We want to focus on the major points, while allowing room for discussion and debate on the others. We do this because we want to join with others, and have them join us, in what matters to God: His people actively bringing others into His family. On the core beliefs we seek unity, on the distinctives and others we seek charity, and toward one another we seek to act in love.

  • We are part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) Denomination (cmalliance.org), and more about our beliefs can be found on their WEB site (https://cmalliance.org/who-weare/our-faith-and-mission/). The first part of the CMA belief statement says: "In The Alliance, we are Jesus people. We say 'All of Jesus,' because we're after His Lordship, a complete transformation in our lives through His Spirit. Scripture tells us that 'the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is at work within us. If we believe that, then our lives will change." This is what happens when we have an encounter with Jesus. This is what we want to be and do at Encounter Church.

Current Events

  • Tuesday, March 25th, 6:30am - Bible Study at the Waffle House in Hull (by the Ingles). We are currently studying the book of Mark.

  • Wednesday, March 26th, 6:30-8:30pm - Loving People During Lent: Evangelism Training, Lent devotion, and Planned Acts of Kindness event. Meet at Sandy Creek Park (parking lot near the beach)

  • Thursday, March 27th, 6:30pm - Bible Study at Encounter Church Lavonia (115 Owens Drive, Lavonia). We are currently studying the book of Hebrews.

  • Friday, March 28th, 6:30-8:30pm - Encounter Community Night at Encounter Church Athens (660 W. Broad St.). Come hang out, play games, drink coffee, laugh, talk, and enjoy an evening together. Mark your calendars and bring your friends. All are welcome!

  • Tuesday, April 1st, 6:30am - Bible Study at the Waffle House in Hull (by the Ingles). We are currently studying the book of Mark.

  • Wednesday, April 2nd, 6:30-8:30pm - Loving People During Lent: Details TBA

  • Thursday, April 3rd, 6:30pm - Bible Study at Encounter Church Lavonia (115 Owens Drive, Lavonia). We are currently studying the book of Hebrews.

  • Thursday, April 17th, 6:30pm - Socrates Cafe at Encounter Church Athens (660 W. Broad Street, Athens). A philosophical/theological discussion about life and faith. Click on the link below to get more information about Socrates Cafe.

  • Friday, April 18th, 5:30-6:30pm - Good Friday Service at Encounter Church Lavonia (115 Owens Dr. Lavonia).

  • Friday, April 18th, 6:30-8:30pm - Good Friday experience at Encounter Church Athens (660 W. Broad St.). There will be stations throughout the meeting space that you can walk through and experience individually or as a family to allow you time to pause and focus on Jesus on Good Friday.

  • Friday, April 25th, 6:30-8:30pm - Encounter Community Night at Encounter Church Athens (660 W. Broad St.). Come hang out, play games, drink coffee, laugh, talk, and enjoy an evening together. Mark our calendars and bring your friends. All are welcome!