A Little Bit About Us

Our Story

For 154 years, God has faithfully guided Galilee Church, growing it from a small village congregation into a thriving community dedicated to His glory.


We are grateful for His blessings, the faithfulness of those who came before us, and the opportunity to continue sharing the gospel for generations to come.

  • What To Expect

    👋 We look forward to meeting you!

    Enjoy a pastry or cup of coffee at our complimentary coffee bar every Sunday.


    Dress Code

    Dress casual or dress up. Whatever makes you feel comfortable.


    Where do I participate in-person?

    Galilee Christian Church is located at 2191 Galilee Church Road Jefferson, GA 30549.


    What time is service?

    Services at Galilee are Sundays at 9 a.m. (classic service) and 11 a.m. (modern service). Online services are at the same time streamed through Facebook or on our website.


    How do I participate online?

    If you choose to participate in Galilee Church services digitally, all you need is a smartphone, computer, or smart TV! Click on any of the following links at 9 AM or 11 AM

    Facebook

    Youtube

    Church Online Platform


    How do I join a Connect Group?

    To join a connect group click here, fill out the form, and Brennon will help you find a group that works for you.


    Is there something for my kids?

    Yes! During our 11 a.m. service we offer kids class. Kids can participate in classes with kids their age. We offer classes for infants through 5th grade. We offer classes at the 10 a.m. hour so that parents can be involved in a Connect Group. We offer Nursery care for infants through Pre K during our 9 a.m. service.


  • 2025 Mission

    Staying Hungry in 2025

    As we step into 2025, I’m excited to share our new focus for the year: staying hungry. This isn’t about physical hunger, but rather a spiritual hunger—a deep desire for God to work in and through us. We want to remain hungry for evangelism, for serving others, and for pursuing holiness.


    Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). This year, we’re leaning into this promise. When we keep our hearts hungry for what matters to God, we make space for Him to do incredible things.


    We’ll begin the year with a sermon series titled "Hungry," exploring what it means to truly crave the things of God. From Malachi 3:10’s call to trust in God’s provision to Luke 9’s reminder of Jesus feeding the hungry crowds with compassion and power, we’ll see how God satisfies those who come to Him with open hands and open hearts.


    But staying hungry doesn’t stop with learning—it moves us into action. In Mark 10:43-44, Jesus says, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." In 2025, we will focus on serving our community with intentionality and love.

  • The History of Galilee Church

    Over 150 years ago, a small group of men and women gathered in the community of Galilee to establish a church. At the time, the village already had a school, doctor’s office, general store, grist mill, and cotton gin—a church would make it complete.


    Phillip F. Lamar: A Legacy of Evangelism

    Phillip F. Lamar, a renowned evangelist from Macon, Georgia, had established many congregations in northeast Georgia. Along with his brother, James S. Lamar, he was known as one of the “Great Evangelists.” Galilee would be the last church he planted before his passing in 1878. He is buried in the Galilee church cemetery.


    John Lewis Elder: Laying the Foundation

    John Lewis Elder donated one acre of land, and with the help of local men, trees were cut, hand-planed, and crafted into a small church building. The exterior was covered with white-painted weatherboarding, and two front doors were installed—one for men and one for women, who sat on opposite sides.


    🙏 Growing Through the Years


    1929: A New Addition

    Following the stock market crash, the congregation expanded the 59-year-old church. Two classrooms and an entryway were added (this time, with just one door). Wooden theater seats were installed, seating 104 people. The $2,100 cost was raised through cash donations and chicken sales.


    1962: A Major Upgrade

    A concrete block building was added, providing five Sunday School rooms and, for the first time, indoor bathrooms. A fellowship hall was built in the full basement.


    1969-1970: A New Worship Building

    The original buildings remained until September 1969, when they were torn down for a new worship building, completed in February 1970. The new space seated 200 people. Over the years, further expansions included an educational building, a commercial kitchen, and a Family Life Center.


    More Than Just Buildings

    Though the older buildings are now used for church offices, a Christian preschool, and social events, the true history of Galilee Church is about its people. Some descendants of the original families remain, while hundreds of new families have joined from across Jackson County.


    Every expansion has been for the glory of God and the spread of the gospel. For 151 years, Galilee Church has remained a strong and faithful community, dedicated to Christ’s mission.

Our Values

We are committed to living out the values of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to love God, love others, and share the good news of Jesus Christ. 


Mission

Galilee Christian Church exists to ADVANCE the Gospel and MAKE disciples who SERVE our church, the community and the world


Evangelism

We seek to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all people, and to share the gospel through both deed and word.


Discipleship

We prioritize the practice of discipling others in the faith, helping them to grow in their understanding of the Bible and their relationship with God.


Service

We are called to serve our community and those in need, through both physical and spiritual acts of love and kindness.


Love

We are committed to loving God and loving others, and to be known for our love for one another.


Worship

We strive to glorify God through worship that is rooted in scripture, and that draws us closer to Him.


Stewardship

We strive to be wise stewards of the resources God has given us, using them to meet the needs of the church and community.


Unity

We seek to foster unity in diversity, standing together as a church family united in our purpose of sharing God’s love.


Holiness

We strive to be a holy people, living in obedience to God’s Word and in surrender to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Beliefs

We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.


Below is a copy of our doctrinal statments on topics that we get frequent questions about. Feel free to click the link below and read through them or email us your questions.


Position Papers


  • Restoration

    Our Church is a part of the “Restoration Movement.” The Restoration Movement’s goal is to simply do what the Bible says and live out our faith in the most Biblically authentic way possible.


    ​We believe that the Bible is inerrant in its original manuscripts and we believe that the Bible we have today accurately represents that inerrancy for its complete authority in our lives.


    ​We approach matters of doctrine within the Body of Christ with the motto of: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, but in all things love.

  • The Nature Of God

    We believe there is one God existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God the Father is the Creator of the world and is powerfully active in our world. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to this earth as the Savior of the world. We believe the Holy Spirit lives in us to empower us to live lives of meaning, peace and joy. Matthew 28:19

  • Salvation

    Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live and died the sacrificial death we could not die to save us from our sin.


    ​To accept the free gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus has earned for us, by faith, we must believe that Jesus is the son of God, repent of our sin, be immersed into the name of Jesus and rise up a new person, saved from sin, to live a new life of faith in Him.

  • The Bible

    We believe the Scriptures are God’s full revelation of who He is, the way He thinks about us, and His plans for us - particularly through the life and words of Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:16

  • Who We Seek

    We seek the same people Jesus sought — everyone. We will welcome anyone who comes in peace to worship with us. While Church membership at Galilee is offered conditionally upon agreeing to the core doctrinal principles that we uphold, all are invited to join us in growing and learning more about God, regardless of their background or struggles with sin.

  • The Lord’s Supper

    We believe the Lord’s Supper (Communion) reminds us of the amazing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, therefore we partake of it every time we worship together. Luke 22: 19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:26

  • Baptism

    At Galilee Christian Church, baptism is a sacred act for those who repent of their sins and confess faith in Christ. It involves immersion in water, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is performed when a person trusts in Christ, serving as the first expression of faith. It is an act of obedience to Christ’s command, a means to accept forgiveness of sins, receive the Holy Spirit, and publicly testify to God’s work in one’s life.


    More than a symbol, baptism is a significant moment where God bestows His gifts of salvation. Rebaptism is encouraged for those uncertain about their initial baptism—perhaps due to lack of memory, coercion, or an uncommitted heart. While baptisms during worship services are preferred for public testimony, they may occur at other times. We emphasize unity among believers in this practice, reflecting “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”