Journey Church to open on Riverside site

Journey Community Church is celebrating its fifth anniversary by building memories in a new location.

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The Southern Baptist church recently moved into Riverside Baptist Church's former site at 4798 Hardy McManus Road, which was bought by Journey at the end of August for $2.75 million.

Riverside's the Rev. Michael Joslin said Riverside has dissolved but would not comment further.

"The door opened for us to come here," said the Rev. Bobby Smith, of Journey.

"There was a series of events that started back in January, which included me riding on this property."

Journey has seen its share of locations in five years. The church first met at the Farmington Clubhouse, then moved to Lewiston Elementary School, then to Patriots Park in May 2007.

"Growth, availability and location were the major factors in the purchase of the property," Smith said. "I feel like God led me to this property."

Journey will sell nearly 18 acres on Columbia Road. A building fund and money from the sale will help finance the purchase. The church planned to use the land for expansion, but Smith said it faced too many roadblocks on that property.

Journey is set to officially open its doors for services today. Services and the Children's Ministry will start meeting Sundays at 10 a.m. Youth groups will assemble at the church Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

The building had to undergo a substantial amount of work before reopening.

The auditorium now includes one drop-down screen and two permanent screens hanging on the front wall, a hardwood stage, wall-sconce lighting fixtures and window tapestries with black, red and gold colorings, Smith said.

The church's second building houses the Children's Ministry, named Journey Land, a youth game room and a new cafe, which will be used before and after services, he said.

Smith described the church as nontraditional. The sermons contain prop-intensive messages, he said. Drama, creative reading and art are used during teachings.

"A core value at Journey is that we're going to take the mask off," he said. "We're going to develop real relationships."

Smith said he feels fortunate to have acquired the property in Evans.

"It's been a blessing," he said. "It's been a miracle."

For information about Journey, call (706) 364-1454 or visit www.journeycommunity.net.