If you live In Alabama, then I'm sure you've heard of Church of the Highlands. If you're new to Alabama, then you should totally visit! The greatest thing about this church is not how they have fifteen locations across the state (and working on their 16th!) or how they only have a mid week worship service on the first Wednesday of every month, but it's how alive the presence of God is felt throughout every building, as well the relevant and understanding message Pastor Chris Hodges preaches week after week. I just started going in the Shoals campus, which just opened in February. And to be honest, it doesn't feel like we're going to church in a hotel conference center! Along with these ten facts, I encourage you to visit Church of the Highlands this weekend at whichever location is convenient for you.
1). The original location is in East Birmingham on Grants Mill Road
The church's first and original campus was founded in February 2001 with the very first service held at Mountain Brook High School, however, tremendous growth caused them to find room on Grants Mill Road where all of the central offices are now held.
2). Pastor Chris Hodges and his family are from Louisiana
He sometimes refers to himself as the "Louisiana boy" who is implanted here in Alabama.
3). Some of their locations have five worship services on Sunday
Locations such as Grants Mill, Auburn, Online, Riverchase, and Tuscaloosa. All at 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm, and 6:00pm.
4). They have small groups that literally meet throughout the state of Alabama
Really. So. Many. Groups.
5). The Chapel campus is actually a part of the Grants Mill campus.
The Chapel shares their campus with Grants Mill, and their worship services have a more traditional feel, as well as it holds weddings, funerals, etc.
6). The Growth Track has four steps
Each Sunday of the month, the Growth Track meets all four Sunday's. Step One is a class that tells us the necessary steps to know you are a born-again Christian. Step Two gives you a basic introduction of the church, including the story, having common questions answered, and giving you the opportunity to join the church. Step Three helps you uncover what God has uniquely designed you for. Step Four, the final step, offers you a chance to get plugged into the "Dream Team" and help you get involved in the ministry of your choice.
7). They just celebrated their sixteenth anniversary as a church
On February 5, 2017, they celebrated their sixteenth anniversary of reaching people and showing them the love of Jesus Christ. Along with that, their first service at the Shoals campus (my campus!) was opened to the surrounding areas of Florence, Muscle Shoals, etc.
8). The worship team writes their own songs
Highlands Worship. "Place of Freedom", "Victory", "Here I Surrender", "Holy, Holy, Holy", ring a bell?
9). The online campus is convenient if you work on Sundays
The online campus also has its own campus pastor. With all five services on Sunday available through live stream.
10). The McCalla campus is coming soon
The McCalla campus is coming on April 2, 2017. Not only will this be their sixteenth campus, but it will also provide relief for most of the campuses in southern Jefferson County.
So there you have it. I encourage you to visit one of their campuses and see if you like it. Yes, there are fifteen campuses, but it's the greatest thing knowing all these people are worshiping God along with you on Sunday, and we are all apart of one church.
