About Us
HISTORY OF EASTRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH
On November 12, 1989 the first meeting of Grace Fellowship Church was held in the home of Rob and Joann Raynor with seven families attending. Rob became the first senior pastor and played a major role in the growth and direction of the church. From this small beginning of dedicated believers and Rob’s leadership the church began to grow. From 1989 until 1998 they met in a small building on Flat Shoals Road. In 1998 the church held services at Eastside High School until a larger facility could be built. On January 1, 1999, Grace Fellowship Church officially changed its name to Eastridge Community Church. In May of 1999 the new campus on Highway 142 in eastern Newton County was completed and dedicated to the service of God. From this small, committed beginning a vibrant campus has emerged. A satellite church was begun at Lake Oconee, Georgia in May 2007, and is now an independent church with Rob Raynor serving as its Senior Pastor.
Today ECC is blessed to have a pastoral team led by Senior Pastor Scott Moore, who has served at Eastridge since 1990, Greg Miller who joined the team in 1996 and serves as the Student and Children’s Pastor, and Gary Thompson, who came to us on 2002 and serves as Executive Pastor and Pastor of Adult Ministries.
Eastridge provides inspirational and challenging sermons and programs for all ages. Pastor Moore, a graduate of Atlanta Christian College, conducts two services each Sunday morning, which are enhanced by our Praise Band. Pastor Thompson, also a graduate of Atlanta Christian, conducts 863 on Wednesday night providing teaching relevant to today’s problems and solutions through God’s word. Brad Rutledge, ordained in December 2008, is Director of Celebrate Recovery, 12-step program for people with any hurt, habit, or hang-up. This program meets every Thursday night.
Our children and youth are blessed to have Pastor Greg Miller who provides leadership for a dynamic Sunday worship program geared to specific age groups. Adventureland is for pre-school children; E-Town for children from kindergarten to fifth grade. E-Town also focuses on small groups on Wednesday nights providing and opportunity for participants to interact. The Point is ECC’s Sunday morning teen service for middle and high school students. High School Night meets on Sunday nights and Middle School Night meets on Wednesday nights. Students are also provided an opportunity to participate in monthly outreach projects.
ECC also offers many active ministries and opportunities for men and women to serve. Men of Purpose and Women of Purpose provide fellowship and discipleship opportunities. Sunday morning opportunities include serving as ushers, greeters, communion preparation and serving, parking attendants, teaching and facilitating the children and youth programs. Our Small Group ministry directs people into small groups of 8 to 12 people providing an opportunity for the interaction of church members.
We help support many missions, both local and foreign, with our prayers, gifts, and service. Among them are: Casa por Cristos in Juarez, Mexico. Mid-India Mission in Damoh, India, and Kerala Christian Mission in the Kerala province of India. Locally, ECC supports Rainbow Ministries (homeless shelter) in Porterdale, Refuge Crisis Pregnancy Center in Conyers, Atlanta Christian College in East Point, North Georgia Christian Camp, Faith Works in Newton County, and the Salvation Army, as well as other needs that should be addressed in the community.
Love God. Love People. Reach the World.
On November 12, 1989 the first meeting of Grace Fellowship Church was held in the home of Rob and Joann Raynor with seven families attending. Rob became the first senior pastor and played a major role in the growth and direction of the church. From this small beginning of dedicated believers and Rob’s leadership the church began to grow. From 1989 until 1998 they met in a small building on Flat Shoals Road. In 1998 the church held services at Eastside High School until a larger facility could be built. On January 1, 1999, Grace Fellowship Church officially changed its name to Eastridge Community Church. In May of 1999 the new campus on Highway 142 in eastern Newton County was completed and dedicated to the service of God. From this small, committed beginning a vibrant campus has emerged. A satellite church was begun at Lake Oconee, Georgia in May 2007, and is now an independent church with Rob Raynor serving as its Senior Pastor.
Today ECC is blessed to have a pastoral team led by Senior Pastor Scott Moore, who has served at Eastridge since 1990, Greg Miller who joined the team in 1996 and serves as the Student and Children’s Pastor, and Gary Thompson, who came to us on 2002 and serves as Executive Pastor and Pastor of Adult Ministries.
Eastridge provides inspirational and challenging sermons and programs for all ages. Pastor Moore, a graduate of Atlanta Christian College, conducts two services each Sunday morning, which are enhanced by our Praise Band. Pastor Thompson, also a graduate of Atlanta Christian, conducts 863 on Wednesday night providing teaching relevant to today’s problems and solutions through God’s word. Brad Rutledge, ordained in December 2008, is Director of Celebrate Recovery, 12-step program for people with any hurt, habit, or hang-up. This program meets every Thursday night.
Our children and youth are blessed to have Pastor Greg Miller who provides leadership for a dynamic Sunday worship program geared to specific age groups. Adventureland is for pre-school children; E-Town for children from kindergarten to fifth grade. E-Town also focuses on small groups on Wednesday nights providing and opportunity for participants to interact. The Point is ECC’s Sunday morning teen service for middle and high school students. High School Night meets on Sunday nights and Middle School Night meets on Wednesday nights. Students are also provided an opportunity to participate in monthly outreach projects.
ECC also offers many active ministries and opportunities for men and women to serve. Men of Purpose and Women of Purpose provide fellowship and discipleship opportunities. Sunday morning opportunities include serving as ushers, greeters, communion preparation and serving, parking attendants, teaching and facilitating the children and youth programs. Our Small Group ministry directs people into small groups of 8 to 12 people providing an opportunity for the interaction of church members.
We help support many missions, both local and foreign, with our prayers, gifts, and service. Among them are: Casa por Cristos in Juarez, Mexico. Mid-India Mission in Damoh, India, and Kerala Christian Mission in the Kerala province of India. Locally, ECC supports Rainbow Ministries (homeless shelter) in Porterdale, Refuge Crisis Pregnancy Center in Conyers, Atlanta Christian College in East Point, North Georgia Christian Camp, Faith Works in Newton County, and the Salvation Army, as well as other needs that should be addressed in the community.
Love God. Love People. Reach the World.