About

“Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word presbuteros which means “elder.” To be presbyterian means to be ruled not by one person, but by a group of elders (a session). These men are given the task of shepherding the flock as undershepherds of Christ. It also means we are connected and accountable to other local PCA churches.

Theological Beliefs

We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). As such, we adhere to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Shorter Catechism, and the Larger Catechism as our doctrinal standards. Simply put, we believe these documents articulate the most biblical position on the matters they address. Below is a shortened version of our beliefs taken from the statement of beliefs of the Presbyterian Church in America:

• We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
• We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
• We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
• We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
• We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
• We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
• We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
• We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Values

Ordinary means of Grace – Rather than relying on consumer driven methods we stick to the primary ways God has promised to minister to his people; His word, the sacraments (baptism, communion), and prayer. 

Sanctification – We are committed to engaging daily in the process of becoming more like Christ, from the inside out, by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in his people. We don’t merely go to church because it is a good tradition, we are people who sincerely want to live lives of repentance and faith so that we will grow in personal, heart-level holiness.

Hospitality – When we say hospitality, we don’t mean exclusive dinner parties. Biblical hospitality means “stranger welcome.” We engage one another and the world around us by generously welcoming them into our ordinary lives and homes while extending to them the offer of God’s grace in Christ.

Community – Rather than trying to do life on our own we understand that we are created for relationships and Christ is honored when we befriend one another. We don’t want our church to be shallow. Instead we want our members to truly know each other and have deep friendships here.

Historic Christianity – We recognize that we are not the first ones to follow Christ and therefore we look to the writings of past Christians for help and guidance on how to faithfully follow Christ and understand his word, trusting that the Holy Spirit has been at work in every generation as he is in ours.

Our Story

We are a church plant of Christ Presbyterian Church in Clarkesville, GA. Here is a timeline of how we got to where we are today.

2015 – For a decade beginning around 2015 the leadership of Christ Presbyterian Church (CPC) in Clarkesville has desired to advance the Gospel through the planting of churches in the surrounding counties. 

2023 – In the last few years (23’ & 24’) a group of Toccoans affiliated with CPC began meeting to study the Bible together and praying for a reformed church to start in Toccoa. 

2024 – In Spring of 2024 CPC called Rev. Brandon Hawkes to lead the church planting effort there. On August 15, 2024, Georgia Foothills Presbytery approved the Toccoa Church plant with Rev. Brandon Hawkes as the pastor and Philip Smith, Kyle Bellamy, and Rev. Hobie Wood as the temporary session.

Spring of 2025 – In early 2025 we raised financial support from individuals and churches who want to help this fledgling congregation get started in Toccoa. God provided abundantly through the generosity of his people.

Fall of 2025 – For the Fall Semester of 2025 a core group from CPC gathered together at Henderson Falls park and began to grow together as a church body and to explore what God’s design for his Church according to the Bible.

2026 – On January 18, 2026 we will begin meeting for Sunday morning worship together at the Star Theater in Toccoa.