New Here? Got some questions?

Welcome!

We are a community that follows Jesus Christ and makes Him known in Toccoa/ Stephens County and around the world. Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here a while, whether you're thinking about dropping in or have been invited by someone, thanks for joining us. We hope that you find First Alliance a place where you can develop friendships with others, but more importantly a place where you can come, discover Jesus, be challenged, and find your place to grow.

Most people have questions before they go somewhere for the first time. Here is where you will find answers to common first time questions. If you're question isn't answered here, please feel free to contact us.

How do I get to First Alliance?

We are located at 220 Alliance Drive in Toccoa (technically Eastanollee), Georgia. We’re right across the street from Wal-Mart.

What time do the Sunday worship services start?

Our Sunday worship service begins at 10:30am. Kingdom Kids (Children’s Church) for age 1 - 5th grade, Nursery, and Toddlers are currently available during the service. A Nursing Mother’s Room is available near the Sanctuary.

How long does the Sunday worship service last?

The Sunday morning service lasts approximately an hour and 15 minutes.

What happens during a worship service?

We gather on Sunday morning to worship Jesus Christ and proclaim His greatness. Our worship services are built upon the unchanging truth of who God is, what He does, and the hope of the Gospel and is empowered by the active work of the Holy Spirit. We will sing together with music, pray together, hear teaching from the Bible together, and have the opportunity to respond to God. There will be a voluntary opportunity to give tithes & offerings, and we celebrate communion once a month. Our time together is focused on Christ. Both services are similar.

What is the worship music like?

We value quality and creativity, and we strive to have a balance in our worship style with both modern and classic selections. Our music is led by a combination of the worship band and vocalists. Our reason for being here is to authentically worship Jesus Christ. Feel free to come and worship with us as you are.

How about the teaching?

Our teaching, whether on Sunday, in an age specific ministry, or in one of the Discipling Communities, is solidly based on the Scriptures. We do message series that may focus on a book of the Bible or a set of biblical concepts, and that are biblically grounded, applicable, and challenging. Each message is designed to remind you who God is, for you to understand how He desires us to live, to challenge your thinking and perspectives, and equip you to be a biblical, loving, Spirit-filled disciple of Christ. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you, and what is your next step?

How should I dress?

People wear whatever feels comfortable for them. You'll find people in all kinds of attire, from their "Sunday finest" to more casual clothes. The truth is, we'd like you to come as you are. You will be welcomed one and all.

What's available for my students (children/teens)?

FACTkids is about partnering with families to introduce kids (infant - 5th grade) to Jesus and help them get grounded as young followers of Jesus.

• Awana Clubs on Wednesday evenings (age 3 - grade 5) during the school year at 6:30pm where kids can learn to know, love, and serve Jesus.

• We have safe, secure, and staffed Nursery (infants) & Toddlers (2s & 3s) Sundays during services

• During Sunday morning services, children age 4 - 5th grade begin in the sanctuary and are then dismissed for Kingdom Kids (Children’s Church) part way through the service. They learn how Bible stories weave God’s story into our lives and point to Jesus through The Gospel Project via high-energy videos & presentations in large group time and discussion in small group (grade/age based) time to understand the stories and take next steps. Kids have fun and build relationships while discovering spiritual truths in safe and secure environments.

• To care for your child well, all of our volunteers have completed background checks and yearly safety training for peace of mind. We also have check-in procedures to ensure your child’s safety.

 All FACTkids ministries are in partnership with parents, together helping kids connect to Christ, grow with others, and engage the world as disciples of Jesus.

FACTyouth partners with teens in grades 6-12 to discover Jesus, grow in their faith, and become godly leaders in their world. It’s not about games and activities (although we do those things) but about teens being grounded in their faith, growing with other youth and adults, and being involved in serving and leadership via youth group (Wed. at 6:30pm), small Discipling Community groups (Sun. at 6pm during school), ministry, & more.

What happens throughout the week?

There is a variety of opportunities for people of all ages, though it is slightly reduced during the summer months. You can always find up to date information in the FACTweekly bulletin, on the church calendar, and throughout this website. That being said, the basic weekly schedule includes:

Sunday           10:00am           Coffee & Connection (Fellowship Hall)

Sunday           10:30am         Worship Service

Sunday           6:00pm           Discipling Communities for High School & Middle School

Sunday 6:00pm Sunday Evening Gathering

Wednesday    6:30pm           Youth Group for High School and Middle School

Wednesday    6:30pm           Awana

Wednesday    6:30pm           Prayer Groups

In addition, there are a variety of ministries, connection opportunities, prayer groups and Discipling Communities that meet throughout the week (though limited during the summer). Explore this website, stop by the Welcome Center, or contact us to find out more. Some schedules are different during the summer months.

How do I get Connected?

Being part of a church is more than just showing up for a Sunday Worship service. It is getting to know others. Knowing others makes it a little easier to jump into our disciple-making opportunities for children, youth, and adults and opportunities to serve. 

Getting connected means taking a step. Whether you are new (or new again), want to get to know people, find out who Jesus is, or are simply ready to take that next step to connect, grow, and engage together as a disciple, we’re here to partner with you.

Take a first step of letting us know who you are. Take a moment to fill out a Next Steps Card. If you are on-campus, stop by the Welcome Center before you leave. If you join us online, would you identify yourself in the chat?

Take part in Coffee & Connection between services. This is a weekly time of fellowship, connection, and getting to know one another whether you've been at First Alliance for a long time or a very short time. A selection of beverages is provided to enjoy.

Discipling Communities are the primary point of connection and growth for First Alliance. This is how we make sure each person is known and cared for in a larger congregation. It’s where we do life together as smaller groups of people with prayer, Scripture, and service in community for growth & multiplication with a focus on Jesus with a kingdom mindset. There are lots of different styles, times, and formats. You can check out options here or submit an interest form so we can help you get involved.

Questions or need help? Contact the church office or a member of the Pastoral Ministry Team, check out the opportunities in the FACTweekly, or explore this website. The FACT mobile app is also a good source of information and next steps (click here to get a download link). We want to help you get connected and growing as a disciple.

Is First Alliance Church part of a denomination?

Our church is part of an denomination of churches called the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), which has its headquarters in Columbus, OH. We belong to the The Alliance South District of the C&MA, which includes churches in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and the eastern time zone portion of Tennessee. The C&MA is an evangelical, outreach oriented group that has around 2000 churches in the United States and 700 international workers throughout the world. We partner with more than 18,000 Alliance churches around the world. We believe that all of Jesus is for all the world, and that it takes all of us. You can visit the websites of the C&MA and the The Alliance South District. Click to find out more about our beliefs. Or find out about the history of the C&MA.

What is your policy regarding weddings or special events in your facilities?

We will work with couples desiring to be married in our facilities or with individuals & organizations that would like to use our facility, as permitted by our guidelines. If you are interested in more information, visit this page or please contact us. Large group gatherings currently have some limitation on size due to COVID protocols.

What if I need help?

There are times in life when we all need a helping hand. First Alliance understands the community and times in which we live, and one of the ways we seek to help those around us is through our partnerships. We partner with the Salvation Army (706-886-5293) with a portion of our Benevolent Offering to be used wisely for those in our community who are in need. If you are not a regular attender at First Alliance, please contact the Salvation Army. For those in our congregation, our Deacons administer a Benevolent Fund. If you have a need, please complete the Benevolence Request Form or use the link to discretely contact our Deacons. You can also find a guide to Toccoa/Stephens County Community Resources on the Resource page.

Now What?

If you haven't already, we hope you will join us this Sunday at either 9am or 10:45am on-campus or online. When you come, take the first step of connecting with us by stopping by the Welcome Center so we can start getting to know one another. We invite you to come connect, grow, and engage together.

We look forward to meeting you.