A Mission Church on Veterans Parkway
Evangel Church sits on Veterans Parkway on the north side of Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. The congregation has been gathering for more than 98 years and is known across the region as a "Missions Church." What began as a small fellowship has grown into a multi-generational congregation with three Sunday morning services, a dedicated youth venue called The Refinery, a Spanish-language Hispanic ministry called Nueva Vida, a thriving special-needs program, and an outreach network that includes construction mission trips, a children's clothing closet, and a community park.
The senior pastor is Paul Thomas, who joined the Evangel team in 2003 and became Lead Pastor in 2010. He also serves as Assistant Superintendent for the Assemblies of God in Georgia. He and his wife Pam, who leads the Ladies Ministry at Evangel, have been married for more than thirty years. Together with their children and grandchildren, the Thomases have shaped the congregation's heart for Columbus and the wider world.
Sunday Mornings at 5350 Veterans Parkway
Worship services at Evangel Church are held at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. at 5350 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 31904. Each service runs just over an hour and follows a steady pattern: the Evangel band leads the room in music with lyrics projected on screens so anyone can sing along or simply listen, and then one of the pastors shares a message rooted in Scripture. The atmosphere is warm, casual, and family-friendly. Visitors are welcomed in the lobby by greeters and shown to seats, and no dress code is enforced. "Come as you are" is the standing invitation.
Two main entrances serve the campus. Families with young children should use the North entrance, where the eKids check-in area (called Explorer's Landing) is located. Anyone with mobility needs is encouraged to use the South entrance, which has a ramp. Parking is on site, and a parking team directs cars on Sunday mornings. The church offers live American Sign Language interpretation at the 8:30 a.m. service, which is also streamed online so Deaf attenders can follow along at home.
First-time visitors who would like a guided introduction are invited to attend Starting Point. This small-group gathering gives newcomers a chance to meet team members, share their own stories, and learn how to plug in through family ministries, Groups, or serving. Starting Point meets several times a year on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. and on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.
What the Room Feels Like
Church leaders describe services as warm, all-ages, and engaging. Expect a friendly welcome, contemporary worship led by a full band, and a Bible-based message designed to be encouraging and relevant to everyday life. The teaching is shared by one of the pastors; sermon series rotate through the year and are recorded for later viewing on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Children from infants through fifth grade participate in eKids, a purpose-built ministry with its own check-in stations, a security-tag system pairing each parent and child with a unique code, and trained volunteers who have passed background checks. Parents are given a tag that can be used to reach them discreetly during the service if their child needs them. First-time families are asked to leave an extra ten minutes for check-in. Classrooms are divided by age: Nursery (infants through 2 years), Preschool (3 years through Pre-K), and Elementary (Kindergarten through fifth grade).
The Assemblies of God in Columbus: Beliefs
Evangel Church is a local fellowship of the Assemblies of God and adheres to the denomination's 16 Fundamental Truths. These cover the verbal inspiration of Scripture, the nature of God as Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, the fall of man, salvation by grace through faith, the ordinances of water baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, the baptism in the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience after salvation with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues, sanctification, the mission of the Church, divine healing, the blessed hope of Christ's return, the millennial reign of Christ, the final judgment, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth.
Four core values flow directly from those beliefs:
- Prayer and the Word of God are essential to the life of a Christ-follower.
- Spirit-led worship aligns us with the heart of God.
- Discipleship happens best in authentic community.
- Equipping and empowering servant leaders is essential to fulfilling the Great Commission.
Worship services reflect that Pentecostal heritage. Music is contemporary and spirit-led, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit is welcomed as a normal part of the gathered experience.
eKids: From the Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children's ministry at Evangel is led by Sarah Reeves, the Children's Pastor, with Jessica Scow overseeing the Early Childhood team. The team includes paid staff and a roster of background-checked volunteers whose job is to make eKids a place children can't wait to come back to each week.
The eKids philosophy is straightforward: teaching children to love God and others happens in both the home and the church. Lessons are meaningful, age-appropriate, and full of energy. The ministry serves three age groups:
- Nursery for infants through 2 years.
- Preschool for 3-year-olds through Pre-K.
- Elementary for Kindergarten through fifth grade.
During the summer, eKids hosts a multi-day program called eKIDS Summer Blast. Past themes have included Kingdom Quest, an adventure-style curriculum with a take-home hat, themed snacks each night, and interactive Bible teaching for kids ages 4 through 5th grade.
Alive Student Ministry
Middle and high school students at Evangel gather under the banner of Alive Student Ministry. Sarah Nell Tiemann serves as Student Pastor, with Brent Tiemann as Associate Student Pastor. Alive exists to empower the next generation of leaders by creating environments where students can know Jesus, grow in their love for Him, and learn how to serve Him.
Alive services are held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in The Refinery, the church's dedicated student venue on campus. Services include fun games, energetic worship led by a student band, and relevant teaching. The ministry maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so students can stay connected throughout the week.
Young Adults 18 to 30
Young Adults is a thriving community for ages 18 through 30 that meets several times a month. The flagship gathering is First Sunday Service, held on the first Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. in The Refinery. It is an extended time of worship, prayer, teaching, and community designed specifically for young adults.
Beyond First Sunday, the YA team hosts a calendar of meet-ups throughout the year: tubing trips down the Chattahoochee, bowling nights, beach retreats over Memorial Day weekend at Panama City Beach, Friendsgiving dinners, fall getaways to places like Tallulah Gorge, and gatherings at local sporting events. There are also small groups that meet throughout the week.
Young adults leadership is organized by Kae Morris, Assistant to the Executive Pastor, who oversees serve teams, events, and connections. Those interested can connect through the young adults message board.
Nueva Vida: Spanish-Language Worship
Evangel's growing Hispanic ministry, Nueva Vida, meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at 5505 Hodges Drive, Columbus, GA 31909. The service is held in Spanish and is pastored by Lucio Parra. The ministry disciples local families through men's, women's, youth, and children's ministries and provides a culturally relevant worship experience for the Spanish-speaking community of Columbus.
Nueva Vida aims to create a welcoming environment where people can praise God in their own language and experience a deep connection with Him. The worship is authentic and meaningful, with singing, prayer, and Bible teaching.
Wonderfully Made: A Place for Every Ability
Wonderfully Made is Evangel's special-needs ministry, designed to support individuals with disabilities and their families. The ministry meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Four age-specific areas are offered: Nursery and Pre-K, K through 5th grade, Teen, and Adult. Each class includes worship, a Bible lesson, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate small groups.
One-on-one inclusion ministry is available for children who need a buddy during their visit. Parents can request a one-on-one volunteer ahead of time. All participants register in advance so a coordinator can meet the family, learn the individual's strengths and preferences, and prepare a smooth welcome. The Wonderfully Made team also coordinates the ASL interpretation provided at the 8:30 a.m. Sunday service.
Groups and Discipleship
Groups are described as the heartbeat of Evangel. They exist to help people connect, grow in their faith, and experience the care that happens in Christ-centered community. No matter the interest, career stage, or season of life, there is a group designed for it. Current offerings include men's groups, women's groups, couples groups, and topical Bible study groups.
Beyond small groups, the church runs weekly Sunday morning Bible study classes for all ages. The "Try LIFE" tagline points to the discipleship-focused flavor of these gatherings, where the Word of God is revered and proclaimed.
For older adults, Lunch & Hymns is a monthly gathering on the third Thursday at noon in room 225. Senior saints age 55 and older come together for hymns, a Bible study, and a hot lunch for a small per-person cost. The church also hosts GriefShare, a 13-week support group for those grieving the loss of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. GriefShare meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Shaver's Hall.
Reach: A Generosity Initiative
Reach is Evangel's church-wide generosity initiative that enables the congregation to fund its mission. The framework draws on 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 and frames giving in three movements: Ask, Seek, and Pray; Plan, Vision, and Dream; and giving over and above the tithe.
Through Reach, Evangel maintains three lanes of ministry: Reaching New Generations (from cradle to grave), Reaching Beyond Sundays (local outreach), and Reaching Beyond Our Borders (global missions). Partner ministries include Chi-Alpha chapters at Columbus State University, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College, as well as Teen Challenge, House of Mercy, Safe House, Take the City, Wilson Connect, Hope Farms, Youth Alive, Convoy of Hope, Special Touch Getaways, and many more.
Maps: Serving Far and Near
The Maps program is Evangel's construction-focused missions arm. The name stands for the church's commitment to mobilizing, assisting, and providing service. There are two sides to Maps.
Maps | Local meets on the first Saturday of every month. Teams tackle household repairs, maintenance, and small building projects that can be completed in about half a day. Past projects have included building accessibility ramps and bathrooms for elderly residents, widows, single mothers, and others in need. The whole family can join in on some projects. Glen and June Matlock lead the local effort, and anyone can submit a project request to the Maps | Local team.
MAPS (Construction) sends short-term trips to other churches and faith-based organizations in need. Past destinations have included Philadelphia (for the DreamCity Church remodel) and Eugene, Oregon (to help a church damaged in the 2020 Cascades mountain fire). Trips are typically a few days long, open to men and women, and include a mix of skilled tradespeople and general laborers. Jon Connally coordinates the trips, and deposits plus registration are required to reserve a spot.
The Fam Closet
The Fam Closet is a free clothing and supplies ministry that serves foster, adoptive, and preventive-care families in Columbus and the surrounding area. Located at 5131 Hamilton Road, the closet provides new and gently used clothing, shoes, hygiene items, and other essentials for children ages 0 through 18.
The Fam Closet runs on volunteer support, led by Lexi Morrison. Volunteers sort donations, organize the space, and assist families as they shop. Each year the ministry hosts a Fam Closet Christmas Outreach, where foster families are invited to a Christmas Toy Shop to pick out gifts for their children, have items wrapped, and take them home. Donations of toys and money are collected through the fall, and gift tags hang on a tree at Milltown Coffee.
Milltown Square and Milltown Coffee
Milltown Square is a park in Columbus with inclusive and accessible indoor and outdoor playgrounds and gathering spaces. People-centric and open to everyone in the community every day of the week, the park is one of Evangel's most visible outreach investments. Christmas at Milltown is a major annual community event that draws families from across the region for a tree farm, visits with Santa, cookie decorating, face painting, an indoor skating rink, an outdoor Christmas movie on the LED wall at the playground, food trucks, and a free Advent calendar giveaway.
Milltown Coffee, a coffee shop located on the campus, doubles as a community gathering space and as a drop-off point for Fam Closet donations and Block Party candy. Dakota Kelley manages the coffee shop.
Block Parties
Once a year, Evangel Church launches multiple block parties in neighborhoods across Columbus, Phenix City, and Harris County. On October 31, hosts open their driveways, cul-de-sacs, apartment courtyards, or neighborhood common areas for an evening of inflatables, food, games, and candy. Evangel provides a host kit, training, supplies, support, and seed money. The aim is simple: serve Jesus by serving neighbors and offer a safe, friendly alternative for families on a night typically associated with darker things.
Serve Teams
Serving at Evangel is built into the church's DNA. More than a dozen serve teams are open to anyone who calls Evangel home, including:
- Guest Services: welcoming and hosting visitors and regular attenders. Led by Lizzie Whaley.
- Parking Team: directing vehicles on Sundays. Led by Zac Cain.
- Prayer Team: lifting up the church in intercession on Sundays. Led by Karen Connally.
- Worship Team: musicians who lead worship on Sundays and Wednesdays. Led by Patrick Reeves.
- Production Team: sound, video, livestream, and graphics on Sundays and Wednesdays. Led by Darren Morrison.
- eKIDS: caring for and teaching children from infants through 5th grade. Led by Sarah Reeves.
- Alive (Student Ministry): middle and high school environments. Led by Sarah Nell Tiemann.
- Groups Leaders: hosting community groups throughout the week. Led by Mike McGarvey.
- Young Adults Leadership: organizing events, service, and connection for the YA community. Led by Kae Morris.
- Care Ministry: visiting homebound members on Thursdays. Led by Bud and Margaret Rupel.
- Maps | Local: first Saturday outreach. Led by Glen and June Matlock.
- MAPS (Construction): short-term trips multiple times a year. Led by Jon Connally.
- Wonderfully Made: special-needs ministry. Coordinated with Sarah Reeves.
- Fam Closet: Wednesdays. Led by Lexi Morrison.
- Safety Team: Sundays and Wednesdays. Led by Steve McCain.
The Pastoral Team
Beyond Paul Thomas, Evangel's pastoral team includes Mike McGarvey as Executive Pastor and Patrick Reeves as Worship Pastor. Bud Rupel serves as Director of Pastoral Care, with Margaret Rupel assisting. On the ministry side, Sarah Reeves is Children's Pastor, Sarah Nell Tiemann is Student Pastor, Brent Tiemann is Associate Student Pastor, Jessica Scow leads Early Childhood Development, Lizzie Whaley directs Connections, Zac Cain leads Communications & Creative, and Lucio Parra pastors Nueva Vida. The church is governed by a board chaired by Paul Thomas with members Chuck Northington, Cy Harrison, Decky Walden, Don Booth, Jack Woodham, Jamie Chavez, Jennifer DuBose, Jon Connally, Martin Tate, Michelle Fields, and Susan Barnes.
Ways to Give
Generosity underwrites everything Evangel does. The church makes giving easy through several channels: online giving at evangel.onlinegiving.org; texting "GIVE" to 706-222-3433; debit and credit card gifts through the church app; ACH transfers set up through an Evangel account; checks mailed to 5350 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 31904; offering envelopes available at services; and stock, bond, and asset transfers through the church's brokerage account (arranged by calling the finance office at 706-323-1876). Reach partners give over and above the tithe to fund the church's local, national, and global ministry investments.
Online giving, online groups sign-up, the church calendar, message archives, livestream, and a church app are all linked from evangel.live. Messages are streamed on the church's YouTube channel at EvangelLive and shared on the church's Facebook page.