Metro church completes $13.1 million payment to separate from United Methodist Church

 A metro Atlanta church has raised the cash it wishes to turn out to be impartial from the United Methodist Church.

Mt. Bethel and the North Georgia Methodist Conference multi-million agreement closing month. The Cobb County church showed it paid the $13.1 million this week. Half of the cash got here from donations raised in only months. The church stated it used a mortgage for the alternative 1/2 of and plans to pay it off inside years. “God merits all of the glory for bringing Mt. Bethel to this new possibility in ministry, and for maintaining our devoted participants and supporters during the beyond a year,” stated Dr. Jody Ray, Lead Pastor of Mt. Bethel Church. “We trust God has a reason for Mt. Bethel—to offer human beings and households with a church domestic this is grounded in Biblical truth, abounding in grace, serving the ones in need, and joyfully dedicated to creating disciples of Jesus Christ for generations to come.” “The Board of Trustees of the North Georgia Conference these days signed files that deliver the decision to the problem among the Conference and Mt. Bethel. The Trustees respect all who've labored patiently and prayerfully to attain this factor of decision. As the preamble to the settlement states, “All plan to appearance ahead and honor the assignment and ministry of every different as Christians.” Under the agreement, Mt. Bethel will drop UMC from its name. The Marietta church became one every of the most important congregations related to the UMC withinside the Southeast with greater than 10,000 participants