Genesis Church plans move to former Gibbs library site

The Millers have fond memories of the building that will soon house their new church in Evans.

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Genesis Church personnel are renting the former site of Warren C. Gibbs Memorial Library, at 326 North Belair Road. Church founders Chris and Heidi Miller recall taking trips to Gibbs Library before the Columbia County Library opened in March 2006.

The church has a nondenominational approach, Miller said, adding that it is backed by the Church of God, which is renting the building.

"After 15 years of being involved in ministry, my holy discontent has been people coming into church and feeling like they don't fit in," he said.

Earlier this month, the Millers received the green light from the Columbia County Planning Commission to continue with their church plans on the 1.6-acre property.

"It was made for us," Heidi Miller said. "That's how we feel. It's just perfect."

Since then, work has been ongoing on the 8,800-square-foot facility. Church personnel and family members have worked more than 12 hours at a time to ensure the church is set for the first service Sunday.

When visitors and church members enter the building, they will walk into the foyer where staff will be waiting to greet them.

"We want people, as they come into Genesis Church, right off the bat, (to) feel like they belong," Chris Miller said. "It's our responsibility as a church to do that."

A cafe will be located off of the foyer, allowing people to lounge as they drink coffee. The church will include a four-classroom preschool area, a classroom for elementary children, three administrative offices and a 2,564-square-foot auditorium, which can seat about 225 people.

Furniture and other aid has been provided by Journey Community Church, Quest Church and Stevens Creek Community Church, where the Millers were youth leaders.

"We believe that churches really should all be on the same team," Heidi Miller said. "We really should be all pulling together and cheering each other on."

The church started meeting in September. So far, membership has increased to 40 people.

Worship services will be held on Sundays at 10 a.m. In April, the student ministry for middle- and high-school pupils will start meeting at 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Church members have received parking permission from the SRP Federal Credit Union and Sunshine House, both located next to the church.

For more information, call (706) 364-9570 or visit www.genesischurchonline.com.