Church Highlight: Living Word Christian Center – Stone Mountain, GA

In the heart of central Austin sits Hyde Park Church, a congregation that beautifully blends deep historical roots with a vibrant, modern spirit. Founded in 1894 as Hyde Park Baptist Church, the church began as a small gathering of believers in one of Austin’s earliest suburbs and has grown alongside the city for more than 130 years. Today, it stands as a well-established spiritual home for families across the Austin metro area, continuing its legacy of faith while adapting to the needs of a rapidly growing and changing community.

From its earliest days, Hyde Park Church has been anchored in a mission that remains clear and compelling: helping people “know Jesus, grow together, and share His love.” This vision shapes everything from Sunday worship to weekday ministries. The church describes itself as “a historic church…with a modern spirit,” committed to loving and serving both its neighborhood and the broader city.

Leadership has played a significant role in shaping the church’s influence over the years. Longtime pastor Kie Bowman served for more than two decades (1997–2023), guiding the church through seasons of growth and cultural change while also contributing to broader ministry efforts. In 2023, John Turner stepped into the role of senior pastor, continuing the church’s mission with fresh vision and leadership. Together, Hyde Park’s pastoral leadership reflects a strong commitment to teaching Scripture, equipping believers, and engaging the surrounding culture with clarity and conviction.

What makes Hyde Park Church especially unique is its ability to hold together both legacy and innovation. While its roots run deep in Austin’s history, its ministries—from children’s programs to community outreach—are designed to meet people where they are today. Whether someone is new to faith or looking for a place to belong, Hyde Park offers a welcoming environment centered on growth, connection, and purpose. As Austin continues to evolve, Hyde Park Church remains a steady presence—inviting people into a lifelong journey of faith grounded in Jesus and lived out in community.

Please join us this week as we pray for our friends at Hyde Park hg Church! Together, let’s believe for God’s continuous anointing and favor over them as they continue to make a lasting difference in their local community.There’s something deeply refreshing about the steady, faithful work happening at Living Word Christian Center in Stone Mountain. It’s not built on hype or trends, but on a quiet, consistent commitment to the Word of God and the people in its reach. For pastors serving in smaller communities, it’s the kind of place that feels familiar…in the best way. A church that understands what it means to show up week after week, to love the same people well, and to trust that God is moving even when it doesn’t make headlines.

At the center of that work is Charles Hines, a pastor whose leadership reflects both humility and conviction. His ministry journey has been shaped by a deep investment in teaching Scripture clearly and practically, helping everyday people connect timeless truth to real life. There’s a steadiness to his voice. One that doesn’t chase platforms but builds people. Pastors who carry the weight of shepherding smaller flocks will recognize that posture: faithful over flashy, rooted over rushed. His background in ministry has cultivated a heart for discipleship, not just attendance, and that distinction is felt throughout the church.

Living Word Christian Center was founded with a clear sense of purpose—to be a place where the Word of God is not only preached, but lived. Their mission centers on equipping believers, strengthening families, and reaching their community with both truth and compassion. It’s the kind of mission statement that doesn’t just live on a website…it shows up in how they serve, how they teach, and how they care for people. Over the years, that focus has created a culture where spiritual growth is expected, not optional, and where people are encouraged to walk out their faith in tangible ways.

For those leading in small county America, there’s encouragement here: you don’t need a massive stage to make a lasting impact. Churches like Living Word Christian Center remind us that legacy is built in ordinary faithfulness. It’s built in sermons prepared with care, in prayers prayed behind the scenes, and in relationships that are nurtured over time. You are not overlooked. You are essential. And the same God who is moving in Stone Mountain is moving right where you are, honoring every unseen act of obedience.

Please join us this week as we pray for our friends at Living Word Christian Center. Together, let’s believe for God’s continuous anointing and favor over them as they continue to make a lasting difference in their local community.