The Lisbon

Baptist Church began in a schoolhouse in the 1880s and

the last names of those chartering it can still be found

in the neighborhood: Jones, Travis, Adams and Kerlin.

Lisbon was

the name of the community they came from in Elbert County

in the 1840s.

As in the

case of so many of Fayette County's churches today, it is

in the process of acquiring four adjoining acres so it

can expand. It is housing its 400 members in the

sanctuary built in 1983 but space for parking is at a

premium. The additional acreage will allow additional

parking and a ballfield for the youth.

In a few

years thought will be given to additional educational

space.

About 16

church adults will be spending a week at a national

leadership seminar in Ridge Crest, N.C. Heads of the

various departments such as deacons, staff, teachers and

Sunday School leaders will learn how to be better

workers.

The youth

will be heading to Ormond Beach, Fla. for a week and will

be deep into Bible studies and growing in the Lord.

The Rev.

Carlton Swicegood served Lisbon for 29-plus years and it

was the only church he ever served. He retired almost a

year ago.

Currently

serving is the Rev. Randall Harris. He was born in

Zebulon, Ga. and reared in Griffin. He is a graduate of

the North Georgia College with a degree in psychology. He

next served as an officer in the Army for four years and

then entered Mid-America Theological Seminary in Memphis.

He served

various pastorates for the next 12 years before coming to

Lisbon.

He has a

master's in divinity, religious education and marriage

and family counseling. He is currently enrolled in a

doctorate program for a degree in marriage and family

counseling.

Married for

20 years to Charlotte, they are the parents of Clay, 18,

who is attending Gordon College and Thomas, 16.

Lisbon

Baptist conducts two services on Sunday, 11 a.m. and 7

p.m., with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. There is a special

program for youth each Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

It is at

1662 Ga. Highway 85 south and can be reached at

770-461-1583.