Our Vision

The Torch is a church that focuses on five distinct priorities; people, prayer, praise, the preached Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our ministry priorities and decisions are based on those priorities.

We focus on people, not programs. That means that our priorities are focused on the needs of people, not the needs of our programs. In other words, we will put people first and the church second. We choose to be servants, loving people in the midst of their dilemmas of life. This means that unorthodox ministry takes place.  For example, we focus on children as a top priority. We invest in children's staff, children's facilities, and children's resources. As a result, the largest mission field in America is our priority.

We are a church that is congregation driven, not staff driven. The people of the church are ministers, and our paid staff is for the purpose of enabling and equipping the saints to do ministry. The staff will serve the body and constantly look for opportunities to do need based ministry.

Second, we focus on praise. We are a contemporary church in our style of worship. We utilize multiple connection points in both worship and the delivery of the Word. Drama, multi-media, visuals, a band and praise team, and props are utilized to engage people. We desire for everyone to participate, not simply observe.

Third, we focus on the preached Word. By that, we mean that we will be a Bible focused organization. We believe in Scripture as the infallible, Divinely inspired Word of God. As such, it is the focal point of our lives, the operations manual if you will. We chose to be truly Biblical in our orientation and organization. Our public speaking opportunities as well as small group meetings will focus on the Word, not opinions. We intend to disciple persons to a deeper walk with the Lord through the declaration of the Word of God.

Fourth, we focus on prayer. Without the touch of the Divine, all that we build or do will be in vain. Dialogue with God is the focal point of building relationship with Him, as well as accessing His touch.

Finally, we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit. Without Him, we can do nothing. Yet, as His gifts operate in a supernatural way, lives are changed and transformed by grace.

We see ourselves as stewards of all that God has placed in our hands.  We are committed to teach the blessings people receive from appropriately and effectively managing the resources entrusted to their care.  

We are stewards of our time, talent, testimony, treasure, and temple.  We must develop the spirit of liberality regarding all that we are and have.   

We are called to reach far beyond our local parameters.  We seek to be a unique church that influences many nations.  Missions are a specific priority of our body.    

We operate with a different paradigm than many churches. We truly release ministry to laity and trust the Holy Spirit to empower and lead. Yet, we maintain the balance point of structured authority. 

We seek to provide an atmosphere in which people can mature in Christ through discipleship training, move to full participation as ministers in the Body of Christ, and become connected together as members of a local covenantal community of believers.  Small groups have become an integral part of this process.

We want to be a Biblical church where...

• A Coherent Strategic Plan is clearly articulated


• Staff, leaders, members, and attendees model a balanced, biblically ordered lifestyle in every aspect of their lives
  
• The church has an active plan to get out of debt and stay out of debt Lay people bring new people to Christ and the church
  
• The church is the center of the social life...people feel loved, accepted, forgiven, appreciated, and have their needs met
  
• 80-90% of members are in small groups that actually minister
  
• The church is the center for training in selecting a mate, marriage skills, parenting skills, financial (Biblical) management
  
• The church models and teaches holiness
  
• The church communicates clearly the needs of others which need to be born by the body We provide an atmosphere where involvement in ministry is an expectation for all
  
• We provide an atmosphere of and structure for discipleship in all age groups
  
• Stewardship of our time, talent, testimony, treasure, temple and family
  
• A visionary leadership team that leads by example
  
• Reaching out to the lost, discouraged, growth seekers, needy, and hurting
  
• We reach an ever-increasing number of people with the gospel of Jesus Christ Providing necessary, contemporary facilities

Mission Statement
Living the Word, Loving People, Lighting the Way

We will strive to:

1. Reach an ever-increasing number of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. Move Attendees to–
a.) Full Participation
b.) Maturity in Christ
c.) Community through  connectedness
3. To motivate every attendee to pray, serve, and give
4. To develop needs based ministries
5. To provide adequate facilities to minister to the body

Keys to Success:

·       consistent casting of vision by all members of our staff

·       long-term pastoral leadership

·       a commitment to discipleship

·       training and equipping laity

·       release of ministry to the laity

·       high expectations on the members of our body

·       faithful implementation of stewardship principles

·       constant evaluation and accountability

·       a fully developed and implemented small group strategy and process

·       relevant preaching and teaching

·       dynamic worship

·       a commitment to mission and ministry outside our four walls

Organization Summary:

The Torch was organized on May 12th, 1952 with 11 charter members. The church was located in Baldwin Georgia and was appropriately named Baldwin Church of God at the time. Through  growth a new location was needed and in 2005 the church was relocated to its present location in Demorest Georgia. The name was changed to The Torch prior to the move. The average weekly morning worship has reached approximately 1000 one year after the relocation.  

The Church of God Denomination was founded in 1886 upon the principles of the Bible, the Word of God. It has its foundation of faith and practice in the Scriptures and the vital experience of its constituents is scripturally oriented.  

CHRISTIAN
First and foremost, the Church of God is a determinedly Christian church. It is built upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The doctrines and practices of the church are based upon His teachings. 

The denomination stands firmly for justification by faith, the priesthood of believers, and the authority of the Bible.

FOUNDATIONAL
The Church of God subscribes to the following five foundational Christian doctrines:

1.     The inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible.

2.     The virgin birth and complete deity of Christ.

3.     The atoning sacrifice of Christ's death for the sins of the world.

4.     The literal resurrection of the body.

5.     Christ's second coming in bodily form to earth.

The administration of the Church of God at the international level is under the supervision of the General Overseer (Presiding Bishop), three assistants (executive bishops), the secretary general, and eighteen counselors constituting the International Executive Council of the church.

The International Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church. These leaders are elected at the General Assembly, a biennial gathering of ministers and laity meeting for business, worship and fellowship.

Administrative Bishops, state overseers, provides leadership at the state or regional level and local pastors are appointed by these bishops consultation and prayer with the local church.

The Torch believes in the whole Bible to be completely and equally inspired and that it is the written Word of God.