Oakhurst Baptist Church is a welcoming Christian community that prides itself on its openness. During the 60's and 70's, as white flight began in Atlanta, this was one of the first and only churches to reach out to both races and create an interracial parish. In the 90's, it insisted on extending this welcoming spirit to gays and lesbians as well, even after the Baptist church threatened to kick it out of the national federation. The sense of community here is real and the pastor, Lanny Peters, is a superb speaker. One of the church's slogans is that every member is a minister, and they take that literally, allowing anyone in the congregation to plan a worship service. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. Sometimes, it feels a bit like a high school talent show, but the people are dedicated and involved.
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