Office:
1740 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30305

Phone:
404-605-0505
404-605-0502 (fax)

Email:
admin@ccpnet.org

Greg joined the ChristChurch staff as the Director of Music and Arts in 2006. He is a graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music in Church Music, emphasis in conducting and piano. He completed a Master’s in Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Responsibilities

Greg has served the local church for over twenty years, specializing in blending old hymns, modern songs, and liturgy into services of worship that undergird the spoken word. At ChristChurch, he is responsible for the training and development of instrumentalists and vocalists from within the Body to lead weekly worship.

He also leads seasonal choirs and produces Christmas at ChristChurch, an annual event including Adult Choir, Children’s Choirs, dance and drama.

Greg has served the local church for over twenty years, specializing in blending old hymns, modern songs, and liturgy into services of worship that undergird the spoken word.

Arts Ministry

Greg also oversees the ChristChurch Arts ministry, which includes the Genema Gallery, located in the church foyer. The Gallery hosts rotating exhibits by artists both in and outside of the church. The Arts ministry has grown to include Expressions, an art show celebrating talent within the church Body.

Greg is married to Kristi, a preschool teacher and freelance graphic designer. They have one son. Together, Greg and Kristi enjoy leading worship for Mission to the World (MTW) conferences, both in the US and abroad. They also enjoy writing and composing.

Greg joined the ChristChurch staff as the Director of Music and Arts in 2006. He is a graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music in Church Music, emphasis in conducting and piano. He completed a Master’s in Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Responsibilities Greg has served the local church for over twenty years, specializing in blending old hymns, modern songs, and liturgy into services of worship that undergird the spoken word. At ChristChurch, he is responsible for the training and development of instrumentalists and vocalists from within the Body to lead weekly worship. He also leads seasonal choirs and produces Christmas at ChristChurch, an annual event including Adult Choir, Children’s Choirs, dance and drama.

Greg has served the local church for over twenty years, specializing in blending old hymns, modern songs, and liturgy into services of worship that undergird the spoken word.

Arts Ministry Greg also oversees the ChristChurch Arts ministry, which includes the Genema Gallery, located in the church foyer. The Gallery hosts rotating exhibits by artists both in and outside of the church. The Arts ministry has grown to include Expressions, an art show celebrating talent within the church Body. Greg is married to Kristi, a preschool teacher and freelance graphic designer. They have one son. Together, Greg and Kristi enjoy leading worship for Mission to the World (MTW) conferences, both in the US and abroad. They also enjoy writing and composing.

I was raised in a Christian family with parents whose only desire was to have their children love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. I professed faith in Christ at a very young age and even had a tender heart for the things of God for several years. However, upon entering middle school my interest in my relationship with God diminished. For the next 6 years I would have nothing to do with Christ and completely set my heart and energies on worldly things. Through these years of wandering my life became completely devoid of meaning. All of the promises of happiness that the world offers failed and the painful reality set in that there was really no reason to live.

My testimony is really all about God’s mercy. It’s about how He loves to show compassion to those who run from Him.

Driven Back

Through a variety of circumstances, God brought several events into my life that began drawing me back to Him. In short, in the spring of 1996 I gave me life back to Jesus Christ. In a moment, He took me back and forgave me of my sins against Him. (Psalm 51:4) It was at this time that I began attending Christ Church. My testimony is really all about God’s mercy. It’s about how He loves to show compassion to those who run from Him. My life dramatically changed in many ways at that moment. But it certainly did not stop at that moment!

Education

I had roughly 4 years of high school with which to catch up (I dropped out or was suspended every year). I began my studies at Independence High School in Roswell and finally graduated in the spring of 1999. I went directly through business school (in “only”4 years!) at Georgia State University and graduated in spring of 2003. I am currently in a Master’s program at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta.

Calling Toward Youth

For reasons that are probably obvious now, I have a very great love for youth! I have sensed a very strong calling into youth ministry for several years. I have a strong desire to lead young people into a deeper walk with Christ. I think youth ministry today should not be viewed as our young people merely “hanging on for dear life” — and that MAYBE our youth will survive these years! How pathetic. I see our youth as capable of leading the charge against the gates of Hell (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:28) — that the good news of Christ and His Kingdom might spread across the globe. Our youth are capable as they walk by faith to take the light of the gospel into their schools, homes and spheres of influence. I am SO excited to be at Christ Church as we run this race together. (Heb 12:1-2)

My excitement about serving as the Pastor for Congregational Life comes from a great desire to see people gain a deeper understanding of God’s grace and reach out with that grace to our community. In my ten years as a Youth Pastor and, almost seven years here at ChristChurch, I believe the Lord has given me a heart for shepherding and discipleship, and a real passion for the next generation.

God has led my wife of 16 years, Paulette, and me on an incredible journey of our hearts. He has taught me much about myself and more importantly, much about Him, exposing my idols and showing me His grace, His goodness, and His sovereignty.

Background

Coming from a broken home, I came to know the Lord at a young age and have been influenced greatly by many godly people, including family members, teachers & coaches, Young Life leaders, youth group leaders, friends & mentors. After graduating from Anderson University in 1986 and spending 5 years in retail management the Lord confirmed a desire to be in full-time ministry in the summer of 1991. While serving as a Youth Pastor I completed my graduate studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1995.

Incredible Journey

The last several years have been a time of amazing growth in Christ and movement toward self-awareness and God-awareness. I believe the Lord has led my wife of 19 years, Paulette, and me on an incredible journey of our hearts. He has taught me much about myself, but more importantly, much about Him, exposing my idols and showing me His grace, His goodness, and His sovereignty. There have been times of struggle and difficulty, but a sense of wonder and “awakening” as well, with a new discovery and understanding of God’s grace and what that really means in our lives. It is truly irresistible and it’s truly amazing! Through the privilege of being a father to two incredible daughters, the Lord is redeeming my own experiences and revealing His character, as I become more and more dependent on Him.

Paul Gardner and his wife, Sharon, came to ChristChurch in November 2005. Following a degree in Spanish from London University, Paul started a candle-making company with a partner in the early 1970’s. The intention was to be able to afford a theological education. In 1979 he received his Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS and later, his PhD. From Cambridge University, in Cambridge, U.K.  He was ordained into the Anglican Church of England in 1980.

Background

Paul is British, and Sharon was born in California, leaving for England when she was just twenty. Paul’s ministry in England has included teaching New Testament and Homiletics for seven years at Oak Hill Theological College, a seminary in London, pastoring a church in the northwest of the country for over twelve years, and most recently, serving as the Archdeacon of Exeter. This is a position appointed by the Bishop to help oversee clergy, parishes, and churches in an area in southwest England Devon.

Preaching, Teaching and Writing

Along with his parish ministry, Dr. Gardner has been actively engaged in preaching and teaching both nationally and internationally. In England he served, for a number of years, as Chairman of the Church of England Evangelical Council. Most of his sermons and talks are now available on this web site in audio for streaming or downloading and, recently, in video formats.  Some are also available at www.paulgardner.org.  He has written a number of books, most of which have been aimed at helping Christians get deeper into the Bible.

Atlanta and Family

He and his wife Sharon arrived in Atlanta in November 2005. Sharon is a qualified school teacher. Their family is now grown. Jonathan is married to Charlotte and they live in London. They are the proud parents of Naomi, born June 28, 2006 and James, born December 28th 2009. David is married to Amanda and they live in South Carolina working for a conference center on St John’s Island. Hannah  married Steven Simms in 2008 and is pursuing full time graduate studies in Counselling at Ridgemont University here in Atlanta and part time graduate studies in Spanish translation and interpretation at Georgia State.  Paul and Sharon say they “love living in Atlanta”!