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Athens Church 2010

It's 7 a.m. on a warm summer Sunday morning. About 40 volunteers, men and women, are gathered to set up orange cones in the parking lot of Athens Church just an hour before the crowd starts pouring in for morning services. Among those volunteers is a man by the name of Michael Porter.

I guess you could say Michael and his family are a living picture of, well, ordinary people. They are ordinary people whose lives have been dramatically changed by something much bigger than themselves. It may seem strange that Michael was up at this hour, wearing a light reflecting vest and directing traffic as cars pull into this building called a church. In fact, many months prior, he was the last person you would've caught setting foot inside a so-called church. Something was different though, and it wasn't just Michael's location. It had a whole lot more to do with his heart's condition.

It was a little more than two years ago when Michael, his wife, Cathy and their two kids moved to Athens as the result of a career change. Settling into a quiet little neighborhood, the Porter's found themselves on the brink of a variety of changes that had nothing and everything to do with their new setting. A rather typical businessman, Michael focused primarily on financial progress and career advancement - often times neglecting what is most important: relationships. Things changed when they met the Claymores. Jason and Meredith Claymore lived down the street and were faithful Athens Church attendees. At first, they simply got to know each other by doing the same things that many neighbors do - having cookouts, borrowing things, talking about life during yard work breaks. Over time, Michael developed a sense of respect for Jason and figured he might take him up on that invitation to attend Athens Church after all.

That first Sunday, Michael didn't know what to think. His family was greatly impacted from the moment they drove on the campus. Apprehensive at first, Michael is the first to admit that he had his guard up back then. "I was ready to point my finger at the first sign of a close minded hypocrite. I looked everywhere, but that's not at all what I found. Instead, I met real people who lived life just like me - except they had something I didn't. They seemed more alive." Even the kids felt at home as they took part in the fun-filled and relevant children's ministry. It spoke to them on their level and they couldn't stop talking about what they had learned for days later. This factor alone made Michael and Cathy decide to come back the next week.

Over the next six months, the Porter's attended Athens Church and, unbeknownst to them, slowly began developing a new understanding of life. Their first step to this realization came when they joined a Starting Point group. Michael wanted to find a safe place where he could ask questions and learn more about this "relationship with God" that Jason kept talking about. Cathy wanted to share her heart with a group of people that she felt would really listen. They both claim this period of time as a spiritual turning point for them. "After seeing for ourselves the trustworthiness of the Bible and just how much God really does love us, we couldn't help but desire to open our lives to Him," Michael said with a smile. "I'm a brand new man."

Not only is Michael a new man, he's a new husband and a new father. The changes that have taken place are changes that have affected every area of their lives - spiritually, financially and most importantly, relationally. The kids are growing up eager to attend KidStuf and connect with friends. Michael and Cathy look forward to Tuesday nights when they have their community group over for dinner and Bible study. Although they never knew what they were missing, it is evident that these close relationships have touched the hearts of the Porters. "We love having couples in our home that pray for us and encourage us to be our best. They've become like family," Cathy said.

Athens Church was nothing like what they were expecting. "We expected religiosity but found authenticity. We expected a boring service but found a relevant environment. We expected to be guilt-ridden but instead, we were consistently encouraged. I have to say I don't know where we would be if we hadn't met Jesus through the people of Athens Church," Michael said.