Our History
In September of 1997, a small group of people gathered at Woodlands Camp to discuss the formation of a new church plant in White County. They had their first service on the first Sunday of October, got in contact with Randy and Melody Hester on the following Thursday and asked them if they would consider meeting with them about the Lord's direction in formally establishing a church. The following Sunday, Randy and Melody met with the group, Randy preached and there was a general agreement that the Lord was calling for a church to be started. Within two months, Randy and Melody had moved into the community and the seed of Cleveland Community Church was planted in White County.
Some very serious questions had to be asked in those early days. Questions like: "Why should we start a new church in a community that already has a bunch of established churches?" That is a very fair question and it required a thoughtful and solid answer. The answer that became apparent was that God had a unique design and purpose for Cleveland Community Church in our community. C3 wasn't started because there was no voice for the Lord in White County. We were and are genuinely thankful that there are many God-honoring, Christ-following, Gospel-exalting churches in White County. We see that the Lord has purposefully crafted Cleveland Community Church to stand along side those churches, each contributing to the Lord's call that He has made to all Chirstians in our community to reach the Northeast Georgia Mountains with the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to our various abilities, personalities and designs. God didn't call us to start "just another church" but to establish a specific ministry according to His plans for His specific purposes.
In November 2009, The Hesters accepted a position at Community Baptist Church in Reidsville, NC. As the Church walked through this transition, many members, knowing that the "Church" should not live or die because of one person, sensed the Holy Spirit leading to continue the work the Lord had begun. So on December 13, 2009 Mark & Donna Porado officially started as Pastors of C3.
Over the following eighteen months, many challenges were faced. But we have continued to seek the Lord first and trust that he has a plan to use this body of believers. It has not always been easy but we have been and are committed to being real, authentic, transparent followers of Christ. As time has gone on, God has sent many servant leaders, and has built a unity in this body that many of us have never experienced before.
With the Holy Spirit leading it has been evident that even though the Church has been established for many years, God was birthing a "new work". Something new but based on the same message God has given since the beginning.
So, on July 17, 2011 we officially became Real Life Church. With the name change also comes a location change to 670-C East Kytle St. Many know as Hwy. 115 East, across from Truett-Mcconnell College. This new location puts us right in the center of the community we so desperately want to share the love of Christ with.
Over the years, God has built us in ways we would not have imagined. He has worked on time schedules we would not have always chosen. He has used us in ways we never would have thought. He has brought challenges we didn't see coming. He has given us compassion and motivation for ministry we could not realize of ourselves. He has built strength and courage in us in areas we had never considered. And in all, He has blessed us beyond our expectations.
Our history is in the hand of God and our prayer is, and must always be, that our future will be because of His hand.
For the Glory of God only!