Grace Church in Akron, OH is passionate about seeing the kingdom of God spread, and though they didn’t know anything about planting a multi-ethnic church in an urban center, they were eager to learn. After much prayer, they agreed to partner with Encompass and the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation to plant churches in the Atlanta area. The harvest was clearly plentiful. They just needed God to send the workers.
Carlos Tellez had been serving as Chaplain for Grace College for four years when he first got the call asking if he would be interested in a church-planting opportunity in Atlanta, GA. Carlos had a lot of questions, but he was intrigued. He and his wife, Emily, had both grown up in South America, and the idea of a church-planting in a multi-ethnic setting appealed to them.
Pete Yoo and his family were living in Shanghai, China, working in an international church. They were considering a move back to the US when a friend suggested they look into the Atlanta church plant. As the son of Korean immigrants, Pete was drawn to the idea of reaching families like his own.
From each of these threads, God has woven together something new. Several months ago, the Tellez and Yoo families moved to Akron for training at Grace Church. As they developed relationships as a team and dreamed together of the future, a clear vision for the church plant began to take shape. At the end of November, both families moved to Atlanta to launch their new work among young second-generation immigrants.
To reach this unique group, the team will follow a house church model, with “Each One, Reach One” as their motto. Everyone will be encouraged to bring a friend who doesn’t yet know Jesus to each house church meeting, where there will always be an empty chair for the next visitor. Though there will be some special events, including their first Christmas party on December 11, Carlos and Pete will mainly focus on creative outreach opportunities like soccer clubs and volunteering at local colleges.
Please join with the Tellez and Yoo families in asking God to do a mighty work in Atlanta. Pray for their families as they transition to a new city and for the unity of the team as they seek to make connections.
