New facility represents a significant milestone in the church’s Forward Vision and investment in future generations
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church will celebrate a major milestone in its Forward Vision this October as church leaders, members, and community partners gather to break ground on a new worship center on the church’s East Cobb campus.
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on a new facility designed to help Johnson Ferry continue serving a growing church family and the surrounding community for generations to come.
“This is about much more than constructing a building,” said Clay Smith, Senior Pastor of Johnson Ferry. “It’s about creating space for people to encounter Jesus, find community, and be equipped to live on mission. We believe God has given Johnson Ferry an incredible opportunity to invest in the next generation, and this groundbreaking is an exciting step forward.”
The new worship center is central to Forward, Johnson Ferry’s churchwide vision launched in October of 2025. Since the launch, the church has seen significant momentum across its ministries, including hundreds of baptisms, the launch of dozens of new home groups, and more than 1,000 people sent on short-term mission trips around the world.
Johnson Ferry has also continued investing in its local community through partnerships with schools and organizations throughout Cobb County. This summer alone, approximately 500 volunteers helped provide weekly lunches to hundreds of people in the community, including members of the Wheeler High School football program.
The church will build the new facility on two acres of land purchased in 2025. The new addition will include a new 2,500-seat worship center, improved family drop-off, enhanced children’s space, allowing for increased security, a large concourse for gathering and connection to the rest of the campus, and larger outdoor community space with a playground, and is being designed to support both the current ministry of Johnson Ferry and anticipated growth in the years ahead.
Church leaders say the groundbreaking celebrates the generosity of its people and reminds every one of its purpose.
“Every gift, every commitment and every step of faith represents someone choosing to invest in what God can do through this church in the years ahead,” Smith said. “We’re grateful for where He has brought us, but we also believe some of the most exciting chapters in Johnson Ferry’s story are still ahead.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30pm on the Johnson Ferry campus at 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, Georgia.
About Johnson Ferry
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church has served East Cobb and the greater Atlanta community for more than 40 years with a mission to help people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Through worship gatherings, groups, ministries, community partnerships, and mission efforts locally and around the world, Johnson Ferry seeks to make disciples who make disciples.
