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2500 Rockbridge Road SW, Stone Mountain,
GA 30087
Phone: 770.498.5850
Toll Free: 800.821.6156
Fax: 770.498.1566 |
About Voices of Faith
During the summer of 1993,
God spoke to Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr.'s heart while still a member of
Hopewell Baptist Church in Norcross, GA. God wanted Bishop Hawkins to
begin a new ministry in the Stone Mountain, GA area.
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Vision:
“To reach and disciple the
unchurched with love and simplicity.” |
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The initial call led
Bishop
Hawkins and his family to begin a bible study class on February 8, 1994 at Brownsmill Recreation Center in Lithonia, GA. Using parables of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ, Bishop Hawkins gave thought-provoking insight
into scriptures, which began to draw more people into the ministry.
Through a great deal of
prayer, Bishop Hawkins was beginning to receive more of the vision for the
Church. On August 21, 1994, the ministry of Voices of Faith (VOF) was
birthed. The very first service was held at Greater Life Baptist Church in
Decatur, GA. Eighty-two devoted family and friends came to worship.
Three joined at that service.
After a second service was
held at Greater Life Baptist Church, VOF returned to Brownsmill Recreation
Center. Every Sunday, from September 1994 to July 1995, the faithful and
obedient members set up dozens of chairs in the recreational center. They
were sowing the seeds for the new members God was going to send VOF.
Bishop Hawkins earnestly
prayed to teach more and for a more permanent church home. God answered, Rockbridge Road Baptist Church, a predominately white congregation in
Stone Mountain, GA, opened its doors to VOF. On July 16, 1995, the two
churches began holding their services under one roof. Voices of Faith's
congregation grew solidly holding its Sunday worship services at 7:45 a.m.
VOF moved on October 21,
1997, to Stephenson Middle School in Stone Mountain, GA. This is when
God took VOF through a two-year wilderness experience to test their love and
commitment to Him.
God blessed VOF with the
finances to purchase 20 acres of land with a 6,000-square-foot sanctuary.
The edifice was completed within six months and the 75 member congregation
held its first service in the new sanctuary on July 25, 1999.
By December 5, 1999, the VOF
congregation had multiplied tremendously. To accommodate the growth, a
second worship service was added. Bishop Hawkins' vision from God for a
"City of Faith" continued to unfold.
VOF also has an Activity
Center, Community Food Pantry and Clothing Boutique. These facilities were
purchased in January 2001, and sit on five acres of property.
At the heart of the “City of
Faith” is a 40,000 square-foot Family Life Center, which opened for
worship services in June 2002. The 2,000 seat center includes a full size
basketball court, a bookstore; an aerobic room, weight room, men's and
women's saunas, hair salon, barber shop, kitchen, and banquet room.

In January 2004 a ground
breaking ceremony was held for the VOF Christian Day Care. The center
provides childcare and schooling for infants 6 weeks – K4. The center opened
November 2004.
On April 1, 2004 VOF
purchased a $1.6 million dollar property approx. .5 mile
from the main campus. This is the site of VOF Christian Academy.
Classes began September 7, 2004 for K5 - 5th
grade students.
In June
2004, Bishop Hawkins received a message from God to extend his ministry to
Rockdale County. VOF had several members who traveled from Rockdale
County each week to attend VOF at the Gwinnett County location.
After a review of the demographic and diversity issues in Rockdale County,
Bishop Hawkins stepped out on faith and took his plan for a new church to
the county officials in Rockdale County. Through prayer, fasting,
and the support of his congregation in Stone Mountain, God opened the
hearts and doors of Rockdale County so that the first service could be
conducted in Rockdale High School on July 18, 2004 as Bishop Hawkins had
planned. During this service over 90 people attended. On that
day four joined. It has been named Voices of Faith
Rockdale. The Grand Opening Celebration was held on Sunday, December
3, 2006.
Today, VOF has over
10,000
faithful, spirited-filled members and holds two services every Sunday at the Stone Mountain location and
one at the Rockdale location in Conyers. Its servants have launched more than four dozen ministries to carry out
the church's vision: "To reach and disciple the unchurched with love and
simplicity."
The Voices of Faith Cathedral, an Assisted Living Complex
and Faith Plaza are also being planned as a part of the
"City of Faith."
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To God, we give the glory!
To God, we give the praise! |
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