During the early 1970’s the Boulevard Drive Seventh-day Adventist church, located in the Kirkwood area of Atlanta, GA swelled to its full capacity through the evangelistic efforts of Elder Ward Sumpter. On Sabbath Mornings, approximately 300 members and the ever-increasing number of visitors occupied every seat in the sanctuary, stood around the walls and even spilled out in the hallway and lobby. To accommodate this rapidly increasing membership, Elder Sumpter, along with others, initiated a plan to purchase a larger church in another part of the city of Atlanta.

The Expansion

The ideal church property was located near the corner of Browns Mill Road and Cleveland Avenue. This church had a spacious sanctuary with a seating capacity of 800, a number of classrooms and an adequate parking lot. Most importantly, it was located in an area that was fertile ground for evangelism. In the summer of 1976, Elder Sumpter, with a substantial portion of the Boulevard Drive Church, moved to our present location. The Boulevard Drive church maintained a core membership devoted to the challenging task of replenishing itself and swelling once again to overflowing.

This new church family was accustomed to supporting evangelism. In fact, they realized that more than ever before, the entire membership must actively participate in evangelism if the church was to be sustained and developed. It was this spirit of evangelism, which led the church to pray for the special name for itself.  One name felt natural and appropriate, “Maranatha”, which means “Behold, He Comes”, which is the hope and joy of this God-led, Holy Ghost-filled church. We have been under the leadership of some dynamic men, along with their faithful and dedicated wives, whom God has used to lead this great congregation. With all our love, we give thanks to God for them.

In 2015, Maranatha  went through a major renovation changing the original decor which had been in place for over 30 years.  Not only was the sanctuary renovated, but the classrooms in the lower level, the media center on the third level, the kitchen and all the bathrooms were renovated as well. The following year, the parking lot went from being a grass lot to an excavated asphalt covered lot with defined parking spaces and lighting for safety.  A year after the parking lot was completed, the front of the property was encased with an iron fence and sliding gates to secure the property.

Our goal as we move forward is  to  continue to minister to our community and proclaim the gospel in this part of God's vineyard. Jesus admonished us to feed the hungry, clothed the naked, take in the homeless, visit those in prison, care for the least of these, and this is what we have done for over 40 years This is our continued focus.