A new church

on the south side is getting ready to build a new facility to better

accommodate its faithful flock.

The Christian

Fellowship Church-Southside is currently meeting at 4000 Jonesboro Road

in Union City. The church starts building its new home at the intersection

of U.S. Highway 29 and Ga. Highway 138 after meeting earlier this year

in Fairburn at the Higgins Funeral Home.

The church

started in August 1999 and met in Union City at different homes. The

next move was to the funeral home, where the church moved in, bought

100 chairs and started mapping out its future, said pastor Charles Crenshaw.

All of the

church's staff works voluntarily, including the minister, and the congregation

has 34 charter members. Even though money has been tight, the church

has been successful in reaching out to the community.

Some of the

projects have included transporting elderly residents to doctors and

shopping; paying $1,400 in medical bills for poorer residents and giving

$2,000 in family clothing and gifts.

Crenshaw

is no stranger to new churches. During his 50 years in the ministry,

he has pastored 20 churches in five states, built 12 structures and

married more than 100 couples.

He said the

church will continue to focus on visiting the elderly and sick, along

with assisting families with basic needs.

This weekend,

the church begins its Advent celebration and is preparing for Christmas,

which Crenshaw said will be the best time ever for the church.

Regular services

include a 10:30 Sunday morning brunch, followed by an 11 a.m. worship

service and children's activities celebration.