You’re driving down Highway 42 in Georgia, past the peach stands and the suburban sprawl that defines Henry County, and you see it. It isn’t a cathedral with stained glass or a tiny white chapel with a steeple. It looks like a place where things actually happen. That’s the first thing you notice about Relevant Church Locust Grove. It doesn't try to look like a relic from the 1950s because, honestly, the people inside aren't living in the 1950s.
Locust Grove has changed. A lot.
It used to be a quiet train town, a spot you passed on the way to Macon or Florida. Now, it's a hub of young families, commuters, and people looking for something that doesn't feel like a dusty chore on a Sunday morning. People are tired. They’re overworked. They’re staring at screens all week and, when Sunday rolls around, the last thing they want is a lecture that feels disconnected from their actual life. This is where the concept of a "relevant" church actually starts to make sense.
What is Relevant Church Locust Grove anyway?
If you're looking for the formal definition, Relevant Church is a non-denominational Christian community. But that’s a bit of a dry way to put it. Basically, it’s a group of people who decided that "church" should probably help you be a better person on Tuesday afternoon, not just give you something to do on Sunday morning.
The church started with a specific vision: to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I know, you’ve heard that before. But the execution here is different. It’s loud. There’s coffee. The music sounds like something you’d actually listen to in your car.
One of the biggest misconceptions about modern churches in Henry County is that they’re just "light" versions of traditional religion. People assume it’s all style and no substance. But if you talk to the regulars at Relevant, they’ll tell you the opposite. They aren't there for the fog machines—though, yeah, there are some lights—they’re there because the teaching actually tackles things like anxiety, debt, marriage problems, and the general chaos of raising kids in 2026.
The "Orange" Strategy and Family Culture
A huge part of why this specific location is thriving involves their approach to kids. They use what many in the ministry world call the "Orange" strategy. The idea is simple: if the church is light (yellow) and the family is the heart (red), you combine them to get orange.
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Think about it.
The church only gets about 40 to 50 hours a year with a child. Parents get about 3,000. Relevant Church Locust Grove doesn't try to replace the parent; they try to give the parent the tools to not lose their mind. Their "Waumba Land" (for the little ones) and "UpStreet" (for elementary kids) environments are built to be the best hour of a kid's week. Why? Because if the kids want to go to church, the parents will actually show up. It's a pragmatic approach to faith that acknowledges the reality of modern family dynamics.
Finding a Seat in a Growing Town
Locust Grove is exploding. Between the Tanger Outlets and the massive new warehouse developments, the population is shifting. You have people moving in from North Atlanta, from out of state, and from more rural parts of South Georgia.
Finding a community in that kind of transition is hard.
Most people who search for Relevant Church Locust Grove are looking for a "vibe check." They want to know if they’ll be judged for their tattoos or if they have to wear a tie. The answer is a hard no. You'll see guys in hoodies sitting next to people in business casual. It’s a "come as you are" environment, but unlike a lot of places that say that, they actually mean it.
What to Expect on a Sunday
You pull into the parking lot. There’s a team of people in bright shirts waving at you like you’re a long-lost cousin. It’s a little intense at first, honestly. But once you get inside, the atmosphere settles.
- The Greeting: You get a "hello," maybe a sticker for your kids' security (they take the check-in system very seriously, which is a relief for parents), and a direction toward the coffee.
- The Music: It’s high energy. If you’re looking for a quiet organ hymn, this might not be your spot. It’s more like a rock concert that happens to be about God.
- The Message: Usually, the lead pastor or a guest speaker delivers a talk that is heavily focused on application. It’s less "here is a history lesson on the Levant in 30 AD" and more "here is why you’re struggling to forgive your coworker and what to do about it."
They utilize a lot of video content too. Since the church is part of a larger network of "strategic partners" with North Point Ministries (founded by Andy Stanley), you’ll sometimes see high-quality produced messages on the big screens. Some people find the "video church" thing weird at first. But when the content is that good, you sort of forget you’re looking at a screen.
The Reality of Community Groups
Sundays are just the "front door." The real work—the stuff that keeps people from leaving when life gets messy—happens in circles, not rows.
Relevant pushes "Community Groups" hard. These are small groups of people who meet in houses around Locust Grove, McDonough, and Jenkinsburg. It’s where you talk about the sermon, sure, but it’s also where you find out who can help you move a couch or who can bring you a meal when you’re sick.
In a digital world, we’re lonelier than ever. We have 5,000 followers and nobody to feed our cat. The small group structure at Relevant is a direct response to that. It’s an attempt to manufacture intimacy in a suburban landscape that usually encourages us to pull into our garages and close the door immediately.
Breaking Down the Criticisms
Is it perfect? No. No church is.
Some critics argue that churches like Relevant are too "corporate." They have logos, marketing budgets, and streamlined processes. If you grew up in a traditional "hellfire and brimstone" country church, the polished nature of Relevant Church Locust Grove might feel a bit jarring. It can feel a little like a franchise.
There’s also the "Big Church" feel. Even though they work hard to make it feel small through groups, the Sunday experience can feel anonymous if you don't make an effort to plug in. If you just want to sit in the back, watch the show, and leave, you can totally do that. But you might miss the point of the whole thing.
Financing and Transparency
One thing people always wonder about is the money. Where does it go? Relevant is typically very open about their "Be Rich" campaigns—which is a funny name, but it’s actually about being rich in good deeds. They partner with local nonprofits like Helping in His Name Ministries (the local food pantry) and foster care initiatives. Instead of just building bigger buildings, a massive chunk of their resources goes back into the Henry County community.
Is it Right for You?
If you’re skeptical of religion, you’re actually their target audience. They often say the church is "for the unchurched." It’s designed for the person who hasn't stepped foot in a sanctuary in ten years and is terrified they’ll burst into flames if they do.
But if you’re looking for deep, liturgical tradition—incense, chanting, and ancient rituals—you’ll probably be disappointed. Relevant is about the "now." It’s about taking ancient truths and figuring out how they work in a world of AI, social media addiction, and modern stress.
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Actionable Steps for Visiting
If you’re thinking about checking out Relevant Church Locust Grove, don’t just wing it. Here is how to actually get the most out of a visit without feeling like a total outsider:
- Check the times online first. They usually have two services on Sunday mornings, but they occasionally shift for special events or "At the Movies" series.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Especially if you have kids. The check-in process for the children’s ministry is thorough for safety reasons, and you don’t want to be rushing while the music is starting.
- Park where they tell you. The parking team isn't just being bossy; the lot can get tight, and they have a system to get everyone out quickly.
- Grab a guest bag. They usually have a spot for new people to get some info and a small gift. It’s not a trap; they won't show up at your house the next day.
- Commit to three weeks. You can’t judge a community by one Sunday. One week the music might be too loud, or the topic might not hit home. Give it three tries to see if the "vibe" actually fits your life.
- Look into a "Starting Point" group. If you have big questions or doubts, this is a specific group designed for people to ask the "taboo" questions without getting judged.
Ultimately, the goal of a place like Relevant isn't to make you "religious." It's to help you navigate life with a bit more grace and a lot more support. Whether you’re a lifelong believer or a total skeptic, the doors in Locust Grove are pretty wide open. Just show up, grab a coffee, and see if what they’re saying makes sense for your Monday morning.