Atlanta Ministry Center

Restoring Hope in Atlanta

Partnering with communities to share Christ's love and compassion in Atlanta.

At the Atlanta Ministry Center, our mission is to restore lives and strengthen communities through gospel-centered compassion. We partner with local churches, organizations, and volunteers to provide holistic care that meets practical needs while pointing people to Christ.

NAMB, Clarkston, 2022

Empowering individuals through job training, ESL classes, and technology education.

Caring for vulnerable children and families through after-school programs and community outreach.

Providing affordable healthcare to underserved communities.

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Friendship Initiative

The Friendship Initiative was born from a desire to see the church re-engage with the unhoused population in Boston—not only as a population to be served, but as neighbors to be befriended. At the heart of this initiative is the conviction that every person bears the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion. Through weekly outreach efforts, strategic partnerships with shelters and community organizations, and training sessions for volunteers, the initiative seeks to equip churches to build long-term, transformative relationships with unhoused individuals. The initiative focuses on meeting immediate needs, such as meals and hygiene kits, as well as cultivating presence and trust, often the most neglected aspects of ministry to this community.

The Friendship Initiative began with a small group of volunteers who sat and ate with people on the street, allowing for the curb to become the table. It is now a collection of several programs that has grown to mobilize volunteers from a network of churches, schools, and local organizations. The Friendship Initiative offers a series of programs designed to build meaningful relationships with our unhoused neighbors through consistent, compassionate presence. Lunch with Friends is a street outreach effort where volunteers intentionally sit down to share meals and conversation with individuals experiencing homelessness, creating moments of dignity and connection right on the sidewalk. Friend Relief provides thoughtfully assembled go bags filled with essentials—along with handwritten notes of encouragement and an open invitation for ongoing relational care—offering both practical support and emotional uplift. Quarterly, the initiative hosts Friendship Day, an invite-only event that brings together unhoused friends and trained volunteers in a welcoming space for food, conversation, games, and personal connection, reinforcing the message that everyone is worthy of friendship and belonging.

Beloved Initiative 

The Beloved Initiative is a compassionate ministry designed to serve vulnerable women and families by creating environments where individuals are seen, valued, and supported. Rooted in the belief that every person is deeply loved by God, the initiative mobilizes volunteers from churches, schools, and community organizations to foster safe spaces for healing, connection, and growth. Through intentional relationship-building and trauma-informed engagement, the Beloved Initiative helps people move from crisis toward stability and flourishing. Whether through weekly gatherings, special events, or mentorship relationships, the goal is always the same: to reflect the love of Christ in tangible ways and to walk alongside individuals on their journey toward hope.

The initiative offers a variety of developmental programs designed to encourage participation, promote dignity, and create long-term pathways for growth. Beloved Business equips participants with the tools and support needed for micro-enterprise development, helping them build confidence and income through small business ventures. Beloved Conversations provides opportunities for relational connection through organized family outings that encourage joy, bonding, and emotional well-being in a safe, welcoming environment. Additionally, participants can access the Beloved Boutique, a coupon-based specialty shop where items are earned through engagement in developmental programs rather than given away. This unique model affirms personal agency and reinforces the value of consistent participation, celebrating progress every step of the way.

Geneva Initiative

The Geneva Initiative is a gospel-driven ministry that mobilizes Christians to respond to the biblical call to care for the foreigner by embracing, equipping, and empowering internationally displaced individuals and families. Rooted in the conviction that global migration is an opportunity to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, the initiative engages local churches and volunteers to become agents of hope and hospitality. Through relational support, skill-building opportunities, and practical aid, the Geneva Initiative seeks to transform the experience of displacement into a journey marked by dignity, community, and restoration.

The Geneva Initiative supports internationally displaced neighbors through programs designed to offer immediate relief and long-term empowerment. Geneva Aid provides short-term assistance in the form of essentials such as grocery cards, transportation passes, and phone credits, helping newly arrived individuals and families stabilize during critical transition periods. Geneva Internships offer a three-month barista training and Christian mentorship experience at The Well Coffee House, a local ministry partner, equipping participants with valuable job skills and spiritual encouragement in a supportive workplace environment. Complementing these efforts, Geneva Care Groups are twelve-month, church-based care circles that walk alongside refugee and migrant families, offering consistent relational support, practical assistance, and holistic care as they navigate life in a new community.

Meet the Team

David Johnson

Send Relief Atlanta Site Director

At the age of 25, David Johnson experienced a profound spiritual transformation, leading him to become a devoted follower of Jesus. Prior to his spiritual awakening, David served with honor in the Army. Transitioning from military service to a life of ministry and community service, David has spent 22 years as a lead pastor. His passion for family, church, and community shines through in all aspects of his work. David dreams of a city where every resident in Metro Atlanta would have repeated opportunities to not only hear the gospel but also see Jesus' influence on the city. His tireless dedication to this vision drives him to continue serving and inspiring others to make a positive impact on their communities. David has been married to Rachel for more than two decades, and they share one son, Seth.

David-Johnson

Briana Cox

Journeymen

Kinslee Medlin

Journeymen

Jeremy Phillips

Mobilization Coordinator

Samuel Rai

Outreach Coordinator

Discover Our History

Nestled in the dynamic and diverse landscape of Metro Atlanta, the Atlanta Ministry Center exists as a powerful expression of gospel-centered compassion in one of the most influential cities in the Southeast. Atlanta, a global gateway known for its rich civil rights legacy, thriving international population, and vibrant faith community, presents a strategic opportunity for ministry that reaches the nations right here at home.

The journey begins and ends with the local church. Clarkston International Bible Church in Clarkston, Georgia—a church and city just outside Atlanta, often called “the Ellis Island of the South”—responded with care, compassion, and welcoming arms as refugees and immigrants began to enter their community.

Clarkston is home to refugees and immigrants from more than 50 countries and 100 ethnic groups. With a population of 60–70% foreign-born residents, Clarkston quickly became a hub for resettlement and a natural launching point for ministry focused on meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of those starting a new life in the U.S. Through services like ESL classes, job training, trauma recovery, and community outreach, the center became a place of refuge, healing, and empowerment.

The Ministry Center has continued to grow and expand, mobilizing local churches to love their neighbors and transform communities. Today, Send Relief Atlanta partners with churches, church planters, and community organizations to respond to urgent needs, such as food insecurity, foster care support, and human trafficking recovery, always pointing people to the hope found in Christ.

The Atlanta Ministry Center stands as a beacon of compassion and collaboration in a city where cultures, needs, and opportunities converge. Inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these … you did for me,” the center continues to equip and empower believers to serve the city and the world through intentional, Christ-centered ministry.

Got Questions?

We'd love to connect with you! Whether you're interested in volunteering, partnering, or learning more about our initiatives, feel free to reach out.

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