A Decatur Church Rooted in the Reformation
Unity of Faith Bible Church gathers on Candler Road in Decatur, Georgia, just outside Atlanta, where it has been shaped for more than three decades by the conviction that Scripture alone, reformed doctrine, and ordinary means of grace are what the local church needs. The congregation calls itself "a Reformed, Biblically based church" and notes plainly that it is "unapologetically Calvinistic." Senior Pastor Bishop Dr. Jake Givan Jr., who has ministered in the Atlanta and Stone Mountain area for over thirty years, leads a body that is structured around a plurality of biblically qualified elders rather than a single pastoral hierarchy.
The church's motto captures its rhythm of life: Love God - Relationship, Love His Word - Grow, Love to Serve - Give, Love to Share - Evangelism. Each of the four commitments has its own weekly seat in the calendar.
What to Expect on Sunday Morning
Sunday is the heart of the week. The morning opens with the Leaders School of Disciples at 7:30 a.m., running until 9:00 a.m., and the main Morning Worship Service begins at 10:00 a.m. at 2321 Candler Road. The Lord's Supper is celebrated every Sunday morning, with Corporate Communion observed in the service on the first Sunday of each month at 10:00 a.m. The church describes itself as "a church governed by the ordinary means of grace," and that conviction shapes everything from the order of service to the weekly rhythm.
Worship at Unity of Faith is Word-centered. The congregation practices systematic expository preaching, treating the scriptures as the controlling element of the service. Spoken and sung prayer are lifted up as the chief means of gratitude and praise, and baptism and the Lord's Supper are administered as the two gospel sacraments. Services are conducted in English, and the Sunday service is broadcast live on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
The Marks of the Church
Unity of Faith defines a faithful church by four historic marks: the right preaching of God's Word and faithful declaration of the Gospel, the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the discipline of her members, and submission to Christ as her only true and rightful head. The marks are spelled out in detail alongside the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation.
The congregation holds to Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). It also affirms the Five Points of Calvinism under the TULIP acrostic - Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints - and states plainly that what the church needs today is "a new reformation and recovery of lost ground." The body explicitly rejects the prevailing pragmatic approach to evangelism, worship, and ecclesiology in favor of recovering the theology recovered during the Protestant Reformation.
A Plurality of Elders
Leadership at Unity of Faith is shaped by what the church calls "Biblical Eldership." The roles of elder, overseer, and pastor are understood as one office under three names, drawn from Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3, and Acts 20. Bishop Dr. Jake Givan Jr. serves as senior pastor alongside four ordained elders: Justin Antoine, Paula Andrews, Maurice Carter, and Deborah Givan, who is also Pastor Givan's wife of forty-five years.
The Givans have three grown children and four grandchildren. Before settling into full-time pastoral ministry in the Atlanta area, Bishop Givan attended Fisk University and Ministry International Institute, served as campus chaplain at Fisk, and later worked as a counselor with Atlanta Community Concerns and Odyssey III for more than fifteen years, helping those experiencing homelessness. He also served as a director with the Urban Alternative under Dr. Tony Evans and as Georgia State Director for Promise Keepers. His passion, as the church describes it, is helping God's people move from ignorance of the Bible to confident, systematic understanding of it.
Men's and Women's Ministries
The Men's Ministry seeks to develop "Biblically grounded men of faith" who lead their families in worship, study the Word, reach out in the community, and hold one another accountable to God's standards. The men gather on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. for a small group study, attend Wednesday night Bible study with the broader church, and come together on the second Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. for a focused Bible study. The ministry also holds an annual weekend retreat and sponsors community service projects throughout the year.
The Women's Ministry frames its purpose as connecting women to God and to one another, building "godly women of character whose conduct and commitment to Christ will influence and impact the spiritual, physical, and emotional components of their lives and the lives of those around them." A Tuesday night small group Bible study at 7:00 p.m., an annual women's retreat, community service to the homeless and elderly, and an annual academic scholarship event fill out the calendar of activities.
Family Life: Marriage, Children, and Youth
The Family Ministries umbrella covers marriage, children, and youth. The Marriage Builders Ministry is designed for couples and those contemplating marriage, offering Biblical teaching, fellowship, seminars, retreats, and group activities for strengthening lifelong commitment.
The Children's Ministry creates "an amazing environment planned specifically for children to learn more about their faith," with programs aimed at helping parents lay a strong biblical foundation at home. The Youth Ministry "actively pursues the spiritual growth and maturity of middle and high school students by exploring and encouraging the use of spiritual gifts for the glory of God." Both children's and youth ministry incorporate the Ministry of His Academy, the church's Christian school of excellence, in their weekly work with the next generation.
A Week of Prayer and Bible Study
Beyond Sunday morning, Unity of Faith treats the rest of the week as a structured walk through the Word. Wednesday nights begin at 6:00 p.m. with Corporate Prayer, followed by Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. The Abraham Prayer Ministry focuses on praying "for all men, in all situations and circumstances," and gathers the saints for ongoing corporate prayer as well as periodic Prayer Gathering seminars that teach Scripture-saturated praying. Prayer cards are available at the Welcome Table, and prayer requests can also be sent to prayer@unityoffaith.org.
Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. host a Bible College Course, with the recurring Bible study "In the Book" held on the third Thursday of each month at the same hour. The Tuesday night women's small group and Monday night men's small group round out the midweek pattern, and on the second Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., men meet for Bible study while newcomers gather for Membership Class 101.
Equipping the Saints in Depth
For those hungry to study further, Unity of Faith partners with the Gathering of the Saints International (GOTSI) School of Biblical Studies. GOTSI provides theological and pastoral training at every level, from associate's through doctoral (Th.D.) programs, with the church helping to underwrite student tuition. Classes are hosted locally, and the church acts as a training ground for students seeking ministry preparation.
Four membership classes are offered on the path from visitor to committed member. Membership Class 101 introduces the church's beliefs, strategy, structure, and vision and ends with the opportunity to join. Spiritual Maturity 201 teaches habits for growth, My Ministry 301 helps attendees identify the right place to serve, and Life on Mission 401 explains why sharing faith with others is so important and how to live with Gospel intentionality in everyday life.
Reaching Out in Decatur and Beyond
The church's outreach arm is called Carriers of Hope. Through it, Unity of Faith partners with several organizations serving the vulnerable in the greater Decatur and Atlanta community. Community Concerns, Inc. provides meals, transitional housing, supportive services, and case management for those moving from homelessness to self-sufficiency; Odyssey III, a ministry of Community Concerns, helps clients pursue permanent housing and stability. Restoration House and My Sister's House serve as overnight shelters for women and children experiencing homelessness, providing a "safe and healthy environment" for recovery and growth.
Samaritan's Purse is a long-standing partner through Operation Christmas Child, and the church supports international missionaries on both foreign and domestic soil who share God's love through word and deed. Locally, the evangelism ministry Sisters in the Know hosts the Spring Luncheon and Christmas Gala each year to share a clear Gospel message with unsaved women.
Joining the Unity of Faith Family
Unity of Faith Bible Church gathers each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at 2321 Candler Road in Decatur, with the service broadcast live on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person. The church office can be reached at (770) 469-3056 and info@unityoffaith.org, with prayer requests welcomed at prayer@unityoffaith.org. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 763, Redan, GA 30074, or given online through Zelle using the church's email address and through PayPal. Membership Class 101 is offered on the second Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. for those exploring what it means to be part of the family. Week after week, Unity of Faith Bible Church continues its steady Reformed witness in Decatur.