OUR STORY
Unity Fellowship of Christ Church, Greater Atlanta, Inc. (UFC, Greater Atlanta) was incorporated on January 1, 2015 and its charter was issued by the Unity Fellowship Church Movement on October 11, 2015. UFC, Greater Atlanta is a new, old ministry that is determined to “Open the Doors of the Church Wide!” so that “whosoever will” can come just as they are and experience the Love of God; and so that the church can go out and meet “whosoever” wherever they are and demonstrate the Love of God. The primary goal is not to increase church membership or build the proverbial “mega church;” rather the goal is to engage in “mega ministry”, particularly to oppressed, poor and other marginalized individuals.
In October, 2014, the Unity Fellowship Church Movement’s (UFCM) House of Bishops named Reverend Maressa Pendermon the interim pastor of UFC, Atlanta after the founding pastor retired. Reverend Pendermon came to the position having served UFC, Atlanta for eight years as assistant-pastor and brought with her a bold new strategic plan that builds on the church’s legacy in Atlanta. Renaming the church UFC “Greater,” Atlanta was part of the plan; and represents the intention of the church community to begin again with a new organizational structure, an expanded reach of its ministry and a deepened commitment to be social change agents. Reverend Pendermon was officially installed as the pastor of UFC, Greater Atlanta, Inc. at the UFCM Holy Convocation on October 11, 2015.
The church was formerly named UFC, Atlanta. UFC, Atlanta, was commissioned by the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, Inc. (UFCM) in April, 1997 and opened its doors Sunday June 1, 1997 under the leadership of its Founding Pastor, Reverend Antonio F. Jones. Elder Jones and the early congregation engaged in ground-breaking ministry in the city of Atlanta declaring boldly within communities of color that God loves all God’s children regardless of race, creed, color, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification or class. The church began with 9 founding members. Two of those founding members, Trustee Gail Booker and Deacon Mellonee Rheams, continue to serve as a part of UFC, Greater Atlanta.
The Mission
The primary work of the UFCM is to proclaim the SACREDNESS OF ALL LIFE, thus focusing on empowering those who have been oppressed and made to feel shame. Through an emerging international network, the UFCM works to facilitate social change and improve the life chances for those who have been rejected by society, institutions and systems. Although its pivotal work focuses on the urban weak and powerless, the scope of its work is inclusive and has significance for all people.
The Major Activities
The major activities of the UFCM involve these areas: Spiritual Growth and Social Justice ministries, i.e., creating HIV/AIDS outreach ministries; establishing training, education, health and human services; developing organizations that fill critical gaps in human services; setting up ministries that empower everyone, with specific focus on the disenfranchised; initiating projects that strengthen leadership in the community; providing outreach projects that supply information, education and empowerment.