Surprises. Triumphs. Breakthroughs. For every moment when words just won’t do, we give it our all so you can, too. Because there’s a whole lot of life to love, and the joy’s worth the journey. As you strive for what makes you come alive, we’ll be here — seeing, hearing and helping you feel whole.
WRITERS
Austin Holcomb
Donald Cantrell
Garrett Nudd
Granger Hughes
Jan Merop
Karen Jeffery
Katie Loveless
Katie Taylor
Lori McAfee
Monica Gambrell
Reagan Marsh
Tammy Madden
Tucker Gregg
SALES
Matthew Ruckman
423-503-1410
Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Kylie Fowler
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp
423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore
Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman
Cell: 423-503-1410
E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE
goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsdalton
GoodNews Dalton
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
Selwin Abraham, MD, FACC
Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist
Awa Drame, MD, MScPH
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
FACC
Ted Richards, DO
Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist
Board-Certified Cardiologist
Robert Mingus, MD
Board-Certified Cardiac Anesthesiologist
Sonny Achtchi, DO, FACC, FSCAI
Board-Certified Interventional and Endovascular Cardiologist
Vineet Dua, MD, FACC
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
Yuda Liu, MD
Board-Certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Stefan Seemungal, MD
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
Rajiv Verma, MD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
Nathan Schatzman, MD
Board-Certified Cardiac Anesthesiologist
Steven Austin, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist
Anand Kenia, MD
Board-Certified Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Ateet Patel, MBA, MD, FACC, Chief of Cardiology
Board-Certified Interventional and Structural Cardiologist
Alan Simeone, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Hector Dourron, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon
Hugh Coke, MD
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
David Liff, MD
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
Board-Certified Interventional and Structural Cardiologist
Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist
Michael Hartley, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon
by Reagan Marsh
As a longtime pastor and biblical counselor, I receive many questions. Here’s a recent one:
Q. Hi! I have several questions about 1 Peter 3:18-22 in light of the Apostles’ Creed where it says, “he descended into hell.” I was taught that Jesus went to Sheol which has a good side and bad side, and preached to the prisoners to lead the captives free. But that is not what the Bible says; v. 19 says, “he proclaimed to the spirits in prison.” Hebrews 9:27 says, “it’s appointed for man to die once, then the judgment.” I don’t believe in soul sleep or Purgatory or a second chance. So, my questions:
1. Where did He go?
2. Who are the spirits?
3. What did He proclaim?
A. Terrific questions. On the basis of Hebrews 9:27 and other passages, I too consider soul sleep, Purgatory, and post-death “second chances” as unbiblical, and that shapes our handling of this passage. As God’s word, the Bible doesn’t contradict itself, because God doesn’t contradict Himself.
About the Creed: the word translated “hell” is better rendered as “death” [more broadly], “the dead ones,” or “to those below” (Latin inferos). The point the Creed makes is that He went to persons, not to a place. If it spoke of Jesus as descending into a place, “hell,” a slightly different Latin word (infernum) would be used.
That principle holds true for the Greek version of the Creed as well. It reads
(katelthonta eis ta katôtata), meaning “descended to lower ones,” or it can be rendered as “descended to those below.”
So, to 1 Peter 3 – what a beautiful passage! Remember that Scripture sometimes presents us with mysteries, and sometimes we ask questions the Bible doesn’t intend to answer. What grace we have, to look into them as far as we can, and to trust the Lord where we can see no further.
1. Where did he go? The Creed’s language is helpful: “into death.” Many throughout church history thought this meant Abraham’s bosom. I don’t disagree. Scripture doesn’t tell us much about it, though, so I won’t speculate.
2. Who are the spirits? There are some kooky, oddball theories. The one that makes the most sense to me biblically is that Jesus preached through Noah (2 Peter 2:5).
3. What did he proclaim? Jesus always proclaims Jesus. Just look at the Gospels: He may be talking about money, marriage, or hypocrisy, but the point He’s always making is Himself as the only Lord and Saviour of sinners. Jesus’s preaching to them was announcing his victory over sin, death, and hell by the Cross and resurrection.
Ultimately, the thrust of 1 Peter 3 is this: since Christ suffered for us, we can suffer for Him, because we know His victory over the ruin of sin that is the root of all suffering. Jesus proclaimed His victory even in His death! Because of that, all who come to him may face suffering, hardship, sorrow, betrayal, and even death with great confidence –standing firm, faithful, and unshaken – in Him alone.
Incredible stuff…what a Saviour!
I always enjoy hearing from readers. Feel free to submit your questions at reformationdalton.com. I’ll do my best to answer faithfully and helpfully from the Scriptures.
How important is the difference between growing our wealth and withdrawing it?
Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes works with his father to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being.
Understanding the distinction between the contribution and distribution phases of wealth accumulation is essential for effective retirement planning. While accumulating wealth during our working years focuses on growth through consistent contributions, the distribution phase requires a careful strategy to ensure that our savings provide sustainable income throughout retirement.
During our working years, the primary goal is to accumulate wealth. This phase involves regular contributions to retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or IRAs, often utilizing strategies like dollar-cost averaging. By investing a fixed amount regularly, regardless of market conditions, we purchase more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, potentially lowering our average cost per share over time. This approach harnesses the power of compound growth, where earnings generate their own earnings, significantly enhancing the growth of our investments.
Transitioning to retirement shifts the focus from accumulating assets to managing withdrawals. The sequence in which returns occur becomes crucial during this phase. Sequence-of-returns risk refers to the danger that the timing of withdrawals from a retirement account will harm the investor’s overall rate of return. Experiencing poor investment returns early in retirement, when portfolio balances are higher due to accumulated contributions, can significantly impact the sustainability of withdrawals.
During our working careers it doesn’t matter when the losses occur so long as we don’t touch the money. Our average 4.8% return ends up being the same between portfolios A and B. However, once in retirement even though we have an identical average return of 4.8%, we have a wide gap between the two in terms of dollars left after 20 years. The difference between the contribution phase and the distribution phase is not merely a matter of saving versus spending. It requires thoughtful
consideration of how we position our assets throughout both phases, especially when it comes to risk management, tax strategies, and distribution planning.
Strategies to Mitigate Sequence-of-Returns Risk
To safeguard retirement income against unfavorable sequences of returns, consider the following strategies:
1. Diversify Your Portfolio: Maintain a mix of asset classes to buffer against market volatility. Diversification can help mitigate the impact of poor performance in any single investment.
2. Adjust Asset Allocation Over Time: Gradually reduce exposure to high-risk investments as retirement approaches, aligning your portfolio with your risk tolerance and income needs.
3. Establish a Sustainable Withdrawal Strategy: Determine withdrawal rates that balance income needs with the longevity of your portfolio. Some experts suggest the “4% rule” as a starting point, but it’s essential to tailor this based on individual circumstances and market conditions.
4. Maintain Cash Reserves: Keep a portion of your portfolio in liquid, low-risk assets to cover several years of living expenses. This approach allows you to avoid selling investments during market downturns, preserving the potential for recovery.
5. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Plan: Periodically assess your financial situation, investment performance, and changing needs. Adjust your strategy as necessary to stay aligned with your retirement goals.
In conclusion, the transition from the contribution phase to the distribution phase necessitates a shift in strategy from growthfocused accumulation to preservation and sustainable withdrawal. Understanding the impact of sequence-of-returns risk and implementing strategies to mitigate it are crucial for ensuring that retirement savings provide reliable income throughout retirement. By proactively managing asset allocation, withdrawal strategies, and diversification, retirees can enhance the likelihood of financial security and peace of mind in their later years.
by Austin Holcomb
Do you ever feel like your happiness and peace are under attack? Actually, you are indeed under attack—but you’re not alone. This is a normal experience for Christians. It’s part of the spiritual warfare [Eph 6:12] that we engage in throughout our Christian lives. That’s where the whole armor of God comes in. [Eph 6:11]
The whole Armor of God includes the following: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of Peace, the Helmet of Salvation, the Shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit. Here, I want to focus primarily on the lesserknown armor that guards your feet, the Shoes of Peace.
So why are your feet (representing peace) under attack? It’s a strategic move by the enemy. Put yourself in the enemy’s position for a moment: if you were armed with fiery darts [Eph 6:16], you wouldn’t aim for your opponent’s strongest armor found above the waistline. Instead, it would be far more effective to target their feet, immobilize them, or force them to retreat. No matter how strong your armor is, if your movement is immobilized, or you’re driven off the battlefield altogether, defeat then becomes a matter of time. In military survival training, a top priority is taking care of your feet. If you’re in battle and your foot is injured or your boot falls apart, your ability to move is compromised, putting you in danger. Taking care of your feet by maintaining your combat boots and rotating out socks ensures your feet stay healthy, and reduces the wear and tear on your gear. Christians often neglect guarding their feet and they neglect where their feet are or have been. The goal of the enemy is to ensure you lose footing and force you into a dangerous position; in military tracking and counter-tracking training today, your boots leave footprints so that the enemy can identify things like where the boot was from and where you are heading. It’s important to ensure that you always monitor where your feet are, and
review where they’ve been to determine where they need to go because the enemy is tracking your every step.
While the other pieces of armor are truly indestructible, the feet remain the most vulnerable part. But this isn’t due to any weakness on God’s part. Instead, it’s because the process of obtaining God’s peace requires individual action. True peace, only given by the Holy Spirit, must replace any self-proclaimed “peace,” which is often confused with the fleeting and unattainable idea of happiness. Your peace must be guarded by the Holy Spirit after you guard His relationship with you.
It’s also up to you to wield the Shield of Faith effectively. The divine peace of the Holy Spirit dwells within you only when you fully surrender to Him, placing your faith in His will rather than your own. You’re not protecting the Holy Spirit from the enemy’s fiery darts; rather, you’re protecting your relationship with the Holy Spirit and your heart. Just as the military issues new combat boots regularly—we, too, must actively renew our faith in the Holy Spirit, seeking the Shoes of Peace that only He can provide. When you surrender all to the Holy Spirit, you unlock the true, absolute power of peace as a Christian. You are locked in battle as a knight of Christ. To fulfill God’s mission for your life and bring victory to the Church, you’ll need the full armor of God. So remember: you have the Holy Spirit and a shield, and hopefully now some wisdom on the enemy’s tactical-standard operating procedure for the offense. Protect your feet and, more importantly, your peace! [Prov 4:23].
by Tammy Madden
My door is always open. If you ever want to come over just to get a hug or have a talk or just sit on my porch and watch the rain fall as we watch the hummingbirds quietly zooming by to eat.
With that being said, I’m not perfect. I’m perfectly imperfect. There will be days that you stop over and my living room has toys scattered from one end of my living room to the next but that just means God blessed me with a beautiful five-year-old granddaughter who stole my
whole life. There may be days that you stop over and see I have bags of stuff sitting in my living room everywhere as I prepare to give toys and clothes my daughter has outgrown.to the homeless. That just means this child that the doctors gave two hours to live at 11 months old is growing and thriving!
And then there will be days you may stop over and my house is spotless. Well, that is because I have a husband who helps me every day with everything, the laundry, the dishes, the sweeping, the mopping, everything, yet another blessing from God.
heart. There may be days that you stop over and there may be dirty dishes in my sink but that just means that my daughter who was fed with a feeding tube for eight years of her life now eats everything and no longer has that feeding tube, another blessing from God. There may be days that you stop over and you see dog hairs on my carpet but hey they vacuum up and that just means God blessed us with two of the sweetest dogs ever. There may be days you stop by and my cat won’t leave you alone because he loves to be loved on. That just means God also took away my daughter’s severe allergy to cats and allowed her to finally have the cat she wanted her
14 // May 2025
My door is always open but it may not be perfect when you come and THAT, my friend is because maybe, just maybe, that’s the day I decided to let it all go that day so I can play dolls with my 21-year-old daughter who is more like a ten-year-old. Or maybe, that is the day I let it all go to paint my granddaughter’s and my daughter’s nails or fix their hair. Don’t sweat the small stuff, especially you young parents! You will blink and those babies will be walking across that graduation stage. It’s then that you will ask yourself, “How did it all go by so fast?!”
So today, just for today, let it all go and spend some time with family. Let the house go and go visit your mom or dad if you still have them. Go visit that aunt, that uncle, that cousin, that friend, and just sit and chat with them. There doesn’t have to be a special reason. Enjoying the moment is special enough.
by Jan Merop
Hello, Kids! This article is part of our Chatty Critters series. Check in future issues for another installment in this series.
The green pastures tempted Frisky – again!
Glancing quickly over his shoulder, Frisky saw his mother happily grazing with the mama cows. He set aside her warning not to stray too far from the other calves.
And, for the most part, he almost always obeyed.
Frisky thought, There’s just something about springtime and sunshine that makes me want to skip and jump and explore new places.
Meanwhile, his mama and the other cows enjoyed God’s green grass where they were.
“I try not to smother Frisk,” said his mom; “but he doesn’t realize that his pure white coat is tempting to rustlers and can bring danger.”
“He is unusually beautiful,” said her friend. “One day he will understand your heart.”
She knew God had made calves with a frolicking nature. She pictured Frisky kicking up his heels delightedly when his stall was opened. His exuberance always brought a smile to her. She didn’t want him to be fearful…just careful.
She lifted her soulful brown eyes to check on him once more and discovered only tan, mottled, and black calves playing together. Pure white Frisky was nowhere to be seen.
Panic invaded her calm nature as she moved deliberately toward the pastures beyond the book. As she came closer, she began to moo a sound that her little calf knew very well.
Frisky was about to cross the brook when he noticed that the green, glowing grass was actually shiny, flat, and trampled. Then he saw men on horseback riding toward him.
His heart started beating faster and harder than ever before. The beat of it screamed D A N G E R!!! His mom’s persistent voice echoed in his mind.
“God has gifted you with an exceptionally white coat. Protect yourself from those who may want what you have.”
“Moo!!!” His mom’s cry alerted him. Turning swiftly, he propelled his legs into a flying leap home.
Frisky and his mom nuzzled each other while he listened to her warnings again.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I know now that I was being careless and selfish. Please forgive me for making you worry.”
Then he admitted that the glowing sunlit grass looked too good to be true. And it was! “I’m saving my energy for the right pastures!” exclaimed Frisky.
“The sun of righteousness (Jesus) will dawn on those who honor (respect) my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking.”
Malachi 4:2, The Message
Have you ever been so happy that you wanted to kick up your heels, dance, and jump for joy?
The Bible says that person is like a frolicking calf that’s just been released from his stall.
Calves are portrayed as among the happiest of God’s creatures in the Bible.
We’ve all been given at least one special Gift (like Frisky) and should treat it with care. God will use it to help others know about Him. Seek truth and be full of care for the Things that matter to God.
Then you’ll be like a happy, carefree calf in The Bible…leaping for joy!
Remember, when tempting things appear too good to be true, they usually are TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!
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by Katie Taylor
When you’re young and in love, you think it will last forever. Sometimes it does, but it’s hard to keep it strong when you’re growing up and changing and moving off to college. You feel like you have control over everything and nothing at the same time. You feel as though God is constantly handing you opportunities, but simultaneously showing you that He is always in control.
When I was younger I read a book called Praying for Your Future Husband. At first, reading that book felt like a major cliche. Praying for your future
husband, meeting someone who checks all your boxes, and making a list for what you hope your future husband will be like; is all something we learn in youth group and we’re encouraged to do to help strengthen our faith and help us understand patience.
In college, I thought that I met the man I was going to marry. He was a Christian; he loved me; he took care of me, and made me feel heard and understood. He was a reconnection from high school, a classic story. I had prayed for my husband, read the book, filled in the blanks, and there he was. We talked about marriage and kids, what our house
would be like, and where we would live. We were long distance but making it work. I thought this was it and that I was done with the dating thing. That was until I met the man I knew I would marry.
Yes, you read that correctly. I met the man I knew I would marry while dating the man I thought I would marry. It was a very scary and confusing feeling. I felt like I was living in some kind of bad romance novel.
I prayed, and prayed, and prayed again, for six months. I reread that book and it just made it all the more confusing. I knew this was a lesson in patience and a test of my faith, so I just had to let God handle it and do what I could do which was to pray and wait.
Eventually, my boyfriend and I broke up. It was one of the worst heartbreaks I have ever experienced. But, the heartbreak was short-lived because God had brought me solace. He brought me another opportunity at love, and this time, it was the one.
The difference between the relationship with the man I thought I would marry and the relationship with the man I knew I would marry was the certainty I felt. I had never felt a feeling like this before and I knew this had to be something that God had sent me.
I will leave you with this. God will always lead us in the right direction. Sometimes we’ll take a detour and wonder if we will ever get back on track. Everyone feels these feelings, and I hope my story brings you peace with whatever may come your way. Patience is a tough thing to learn, but Jesus will lead you through to the other side.
by Katie Loveless
Have you ever needed to be at two places at once? There's nothing like being stretched a mile wide to bring you to the end of your humanness. As a solo parent, back-to-school routines bring summer to a screeching halt. Add extracurricular practice and event schedules to the mix and any sense of paced routines seems to get knocked out of the park as each day exacts its own demands.
As I write, I gaze at a vase of drooping flowers centered on the table in front of me. Yellow mums have waxed dim. A yellow rose droops and gives out. Leaves hang limp as if by a thread. I smell a hint of death that the decaying flora gives off. I marvel why I haven't tossed the flowers yet. I zero in on a few buds that remind me of the answer.
There is life still
holding on. At the central most part of some of the flowers, there is vibrancy contrasting the surrounding decay. There are some stubborn buds still holding out hope. They encourage me. Being the last to wither against a backdrop of faded glory somehow gives me hope. Though seasons change, God's supply will not. He will remain a present help in times of trouble, never suffering his glory to fade. There will be glory in today and glory in tomorrow.
Hope remains persistent. It is not a perpetual discard. It is not tossed out, left to decay, or trampled underfoot. It is present in the centering, remembering who our help comes from.
Hope is a person, Jesus. He ministers to us through the agency of His Holy Spirit. We are not left alone to fill the vase with glory amid decay. Rather, we stand much like flowers in a
vase that rest as they stand. We rest and stand right where we are, summoning God's glory to revive us and lift our heads once more.
We are not left alone to run the plates and cover all the bases in our own strength. There is one who can cover all the bases when we cannot. There is one who willingly steps up to the plate when others can't, don't, or won't. There is one who is always at the ready and always on the go. Like a baseball player knocks it out of the park and makes a home run, there is one who really can be at two places at one time and can cover a multitude of issues with infinite grace. There is one who can bring the goodness of grace to bat who then summons mercy to run in full glory.
As I consider this, I bring all my many issues to the One, the heartbreak over disappointment. The grief over betrayal. The sadness over solitude. The weariness with steady parades. The survey of borders, boundaries, and limits. The longing for comfort and
refuge. The desire for more when less is creeping in. The stepping and the waiting as I go from one thing to the next.
Practically speaking, there is very little I can do about each of these things. I am affected by variables outside of my control, be it time, places, or people. All I can do is bring everything to the One who can either change them, pace them, or give me grace to face them. He's the only one who can cover me with mercy while I am left covering all the bases. He's the only One who can give grace for glory. As for me, I'll take that covering any day of the week.
In February 2025, Kirk’s Cycle celebrated 33 years in the motorcycle industry in the Dalton community. Providing Genuine Honda Products and exceptional service to the residents of NW Georgia and South Eastern Tennessee.
Tammy Jo Kirk was born into a family with a passion for motorcycles. But what makes Kirk’s Cycle Honda different from other powersports dealers or any other motorcycle shop can be summed up in one word: Respect. Respect for the Foundation
Tammy says, “Respect and honor your past and where you come from, that’s what built you and made you who you are. Respect your present, your customers; they are who sustain you and your business family. Customer service seems to be a thing of the past, and at Kirk’s Cycle, we are all about the service! Our customers are our family. Respect the future. The children and grandchildren of our customers and community of our friends and neighbors are our future, and who our business will serve well into the future.”
Their motto is “We strive to be your power sports dealer for life,” and they mean it!
Tammy’s respect for her past comes from her family, especially her Dad, who taught her the motorcycle business and from whom she learned the skill and art of racing.
Tommy Joe, Tammy’s dad, started Kirk’s Cycle, a BULTACO motorcycle dealership and repair shop on the family property in the mid-1960s. Tammy started helping her dad in the shop as a young worker, uncrating and setting up brand new motorcycles and learning from her dad how to be a mechanic. Over time, Tammy herself developed the reputation of being one of the best local mechanics working on various brands and sizes of motorcycles.
Tammy also inherited her love for racing from her dad.
Tommy Joe raced local Enduro (woods) and flat dirt track races and the whole family travelled to cheer him on. By the age of 9, Tammy decided it was time for her to race too. It did not take very long for people to take notice of her natural talent for riding motorcycles and racing.
Tammy raced motorcycles professionally from 1979 to 1989. She was the first woman to earn a National Number ranking in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
and was the first woman to make an AMA Grand National Main Event Final in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1983.
In 1992, Tammy decided to change gears a little and re-opened Kirk’s Cycle Shop, the namesake of her father’s shop, however, at a new location on East Morris Street in Dalton. Tammy took her love for motorcycles and her mechanical expertise and combined them into a “motorcycle shop for ALL riders.”
While Kirk’s Cycle Shop was taking off with Tammy as the dealer principal, she also expanded into the world of NASCAR. She raced in the All Pro Division, where she earned two Busch Pole Awards and was named the Most Popular Driver Award in 1996. Tammy was the first woman to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. She won the prestigious Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida, in 1993 and later raced in the NASCAR Busch series. She officially retired from professional racing in 2003.
Tammy Kirk demonstrates her respect for the present daily by being instrumental in every aspect of Kirk’s Cycle Honda. She can be writing a service order, pulling parts from the parts department, consulting with customers on the sales floor, or in the service department rebuilding a motor; she does it all!
“Honest, fair, straightforward, open communication. Let your customers know what to expect, and be open and honest about the best deal you can make, and don’t hide anything! We live in a time when people are skeptical about everything, and unfortunately, for very good reason. We try every day to be that breath of fresh air who doesn’t tell you one thing to get you in the door and then try to sell something totally different once you get to the shop. We strive every day to be your motorcycle shop for life,” Tammy says.
“We love coming to work every day, demonstrating Honda’s great products, and what they bring to their customers. We love what we do and we mean it!”
Kirk’s Cycle is a labor of love and a true passion for Tammy Jo Kirk. She is usually one of the first to arrive at work in the morning and the last to leave at night. And Tammy shares her love of the sport of motorcycles and her insight on how to work with people with her employees. Those who work with her day in and day out have been with her for ten years or more.
Sandy Parson has been with Kirk’s Cycle for 30 years as the Parts Manager/Service Writer. JoAnn Estep has been with Kirk’s Cycle for 17 years in Sales, Finance, and Business Management. Jeremy Zwiger has been with Kirk’s Cycle in Sales for 12 years. Chase Duke has been with Kirk's Cycle as a mechanical technician for 10 years, and Spencer Parson just joined Kirk's Cycle Honda in 2024 as a technician.
Their customers’ children, grandchildren, and their friends are the future at Kirk’s Cycle. Customers who have been coming to Kirk’s Cycle for years are now bringing their grandchildren in to see Tammy and her sales staff to get their first dirt bike or ATV. One customer says, “I bought my first motorcycle here. I bought my daughter’s first motorcycle here, and we are buying my grandson’s motorcycle here. This is the best place to learn to appreciate the sport of motorcycles, at all levels.”
Tammy is living her dream by sharing her passion for racing and motorcycles with her customers, family, friends, and neighbors, and her passion shines through in everything she does. Tammy Kirk believes in respect! She respects her past, present, and future and invites you to Kirk’s Cycle Honda.
by Karen Jeffery
To receive God’s intended blessing, focus your attention on Him during trials and tribulations. Here are some of the Lord's words for encouragement that we can read in the Bible.
See Hebrews 11:23-29.
One example is how Moses endured difficulties by faith. We all will face trying moments. The key is to remember that tough times are overwhelming, and sometimes you might seem lost. Another key is looking back at all that Moses did in his years as he followed the Word of God.
Moses encountered God in a burning bush, where God told him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, which established the basis of Jewish law — and so much more.
“For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7 KJV).
Yes, as the Bible says, man is born unto trouble, distress, or toil, as the sparks fly upward. We all will experience periods when life is hard and days are long. Therefore, it is essential that we learn to respond in God’s way — with hope and our desires aligned with His will.
Tough times can shape us. We can choose whether tough times will destroy or develop us. Have you ever noticed how differently people respond to the same challenging situation? The longer the situation, the more some people seem to grow more focused, while others fall apart or are even destroyed by the trial.
The way we respond depends on our perspective — are we God-centered or trial-centered?
We are ‘survivable,’ so to speak. The key is to learn how to walk in continual awareness of God’s presence. Moses demonstrated this in seeking to free the Israelite people from Egyptian slavery. He had learned to see our invisible God walking by His side and to be constantly mindful of His presence.
Exodus 33:13-14 KJV says, “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And He said, 'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’”
How aware are you of the Lord’s presence? Are your fears receding as you consciously believe in His protection and sufficiency?
Moses did not start out with this awareness. He had to learn and develop it — and so do we. His faith made him whole.
We must keep peace in our lives, as written in Hebrews 11:14 KJV, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
We must also remember to “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee’” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
The Lord is all we need deep inside. He’s our hope in this life.
Let’s be reminded to be generous to the poor and the stranger. Share Jesus with someone today, and always remember Hebrews 11:1 KJV, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith in the Lord will never leave you feeling empty or in disbelief. We have the right to put the enemy under our feet. Keep your hopes high, and keep fighting — no matter the circumstances.
Thank you, Lord, for your precious Word. You are worthy to be praised!
by Garrett Nudd
Acouple years ago, my middle daughter and I visited a local Starbucks. We had orders for Joy and all three girls. A vanilla-bean frappuccino, two pink drinks, and a banana nut bread.
Have you ever gone through the drive-through at Starbucks and realized that it would’ve been faster to go inside? Or maybe go to Colombia and harvest the coffee beans yourself? Inside, time flies because you are people-watching, smelling the fresh-ground coffee, and listening to the whooshing sound of the drink machine as the baristas fulfill custom orders. It’s a magical playground for your senses.
But in the drive-through line, Starbucks feels like a race between a turtle and a snail, where no one wins.
That day, the line was even slower than usual. I tried to keep my patience because my impressionable, teenage daughter was with me. Keep in mind, I rarely order anything for myself from Starbucks. I was there purely out of love for my wife and children.
After working our way closer to the window, there were only two cars in front of us—and probably two hundred behind us, but that was their problem. I had suffered in the wilderness, now it was their turn.
I watched as the driver at the window paid for and then received her order. And then she remained at the window and ordered additional food, at least that’s what it looked like. Wait, what? That meant she had to pay again AND the staff must’ve been going crazy because now she had another order below all the other orders above her. This was not an efficient use of time, and it was unbelievably annoying.
I decided I’d use the opportunity to give Campbell a lesson in preparedness and courtesy. “This is taking a long time, and there are a lot of cars behind us,” I said. “Always remember when you place your order to get it right and keep it succinct as a courtesy to those behind you.”
Campbell nodded.
Finally, they drove away.
Now, only one car remained between us and our order. I watched as they paid and just like the car in front of them, they talked with the window attendant for an unusually long time!
“Their order isn’t ready yet either?” I said.
A couple minutes passed, and the window attendant handed their order out the window. After taking her drinks, she continued to speak with the window attendant. Then she handed them her credit card—again!
“She must be adding to her order, too? What’s wrong with all these people?”
Eventually, they drove off.
As I approached the window and curtly handed the attendant my phone for the app, she said, “Oh, there’s no charge today. The person in front of you paid for your order.”
“Pardon me?”
“The person in front of you paid for your order. It’s been going for about a dozen cars now, ” she explained.
Ohhhh. Slow down, Garrett. Now that’s a paradigm shift.
“Well, I’d like to pay for the person behind me,” I said cheerfully. She gave me their total, charged it on the app, and off we went.
Quite a shift, in both my head and my heart. That’s MORE THAN.
I have no idea how long that chain of kindness continued that day, but I’m sure at some point it ended— probably the guy by himself who looked in his rearview mirror and saw a Suburban full of hungry passengers.
I’d like to think it ended with someone who really needed the extra shot of kindness.
Celebrate National Burger Day on May 28, 2025, with Classic Juicy Beef Burgers. This recipe is straightforward and focuses on making the perfect, succulent burger with minimal fuss. Ideal for grilling or pan-frying, these burgers are sure to be a hit at any gathering or barbecue.
• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 4 hamburger buns
• Lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices
1. Prepare the Beef Patties:
• In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can make the burgers tough.
• Divide the meat into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty about ¾ inch thick. Use your thumb to make a small indentation in the center of each patty. This helps the burgers cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up in the center.
2. Cook the Burgers:
• Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or 6-7 minutes per side for medium. If adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking and close the grill lid
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or 6-7 minutes per side for medium. Add cheese during the last minute if desired.
Toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in a skillet until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
4. Assemble the Burgers: ead your desired condiments on the bottom half of each bun. Place a lettuce leaf, then the cooked beef patty, and top with tomato slices and pickles. Finish with the top half of the bun.
or added flavor, you can season the outside of the patties with additional salt and pepper before cooking.
• To keep the burgers juicy, avoid pressing down on them while they cook.
by Lori McAfee
It’s no coincidence how You created the vine Intentionally crafted by design. The blood of life flows through the veins, Abide in one another, You shall remain.
A silhouette heart in every leaf, Love one another. We believe. Kneel before You with prayers, expectant.
In your peace and strength, I am resilient.
Pressed into seeking produces fruitfulness, Forever faithful in Your holiness. Much dreaded process to refine, Promises an abundant life abiding in The Vine.
The Dance Theatre of Dalton, the official school of Dalton Arts Project, cares about the children of this community. Berrien Long explains, “Through our appropriate curriculum, we encourage and develop self-discipline through personal choices, creativity, and expression. Our dance and gym programs provide an education that teaches excellent dance and gymnastic techniques as well as the life skills of good decision making, self-discipline, creativity, poise, determination and selfconfidence. For the preschool student we encourage the love of movement and music with pre-dance and pre-gym classes that enhance the child's physical ability and coordination. For school age students in beginner ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and acro-gym, we offer proper technique in energetic and motivating classes. As older students progress through our program, their love of and commitment to dance increases through intense and challenging training and varied performance opportunities. We strive to develop well-trained and well-rounded dancers through a program that recognizes and values its students’ other academic and extra-curricular interests.”
On Pointe Leadership Director/Owner, Berrien Long began her ballet studies in Dalton in 1961. She studied at the Atlanta School of Ballet with Robert Barnett, Merrilee Smith, Carl Radcliff, and Joanne Lee and at Texas Christian University as a dance major. She graduated from the University of Georgia, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B. S. in mathematics in 1977. While at UGA, she danced with Stanley Zompakos and the Athens Ballet Theatre. In 1978 she danced on scholarship at the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York with Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook. Berrien returned to Dalton where she has taught ballet for 48 years and directed the first dance company in Dalton, which she created in 1980.
Jo Beth Thompson, associate director/owner, was a member of Dalton Ballet Theatre from 1994-2000. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2004 earning a B.S. degree in Human Environmental Sciences with a major in interior design. While at the university she continued her dance studies with Cornelius Carter, the 2001 Carnegie professor of the year, and Rita Snyder in the University of Alabama Dance Department. She studied in the summers at the Atlanta Player’s Performing
Arts Camp, the International Ballet Competition workshop in Jackson, Mississippi, Charleston Ballet Theatre Summer Intensives, and the Tennessee Association of Dance Workshops. This year she celebrates her 20th year teaching at the Dance Theatre of Dalton!
Together, they are changing lives through art, dance, discipline, and diligent work. One such culmination of their leadership is the annual Nutcracker event. One of the most anticipated aspects of any production of “The Nutcracker” is the dazzling dance sequences, and the Dalton Arts Project’s choreography does not disappoint. The talented dancers, meticulously trained and dedicated, bring Tchaikovsky's iconic score to life with grace and precision. From the elegant Waltz of the Snowflakes to the energetic Bon-Bons, each scene is a visual and auditory treat.
Students of the Dance Theatre of Dalton will present their annual spring dance/gym recitals “Gotta Dance,” on Friday, May 9th at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 10th at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. at the Colonnade Theatre.
Summer Dance, Art, and Gym camps will begin June 9 for ages 3 and up.
For more information please call 706-529-5664 or see information on Facebook and Instagram.
by Tucker Gregg
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects millions of families worldwide. While there is no cure, and not many great treatment options, research has shown that lifestyle factors like regular exercise can play a big role in delaying symptoms as well as preventing the development of the disease in the first place.
No medication treatment offers a 50% decrease risk of dementia, but in a new study published in the journal JAMA Neurology in September 2022 suggests taking 10,000 steps a day can! In this study, the researchers followed more than 78,000 healthy individuals between the ages of 40 and 79 years old. Each individual wore a fitness tracker for 16-24 hours, at least three days a week, for seven years. The people who walked at least 9,800 steps compared to people who didn’t walk much at all were 51% less likely to develop dementia by the end of the study. But even people who walked just 3,800 steps were about 25% less likely. So a clear dose response was evident; even increasing your steps just a little showed benefit. But the greatest benefit came from those who walked with some vigor. Those participants who walked faster (around 3.4mph or greater) for at least 30 minutes a day were 62% less likely to get a diagnosis of dementia by the end of the study. This study did not include other factors and was purely observational, but other studies also show that aerobic exercise can increase one's brain health.
For example, according to the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, one-third of dementia could potentially be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical exercise. And another study from the University of British Columbia found that regular aerobic exercise
appears to increase the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that controls memory and learning. Both of these studies highlighted that aerobic exercise increases blood flow, improves mood, sleep, and decreases inflammation, all of which can decrease risk of Alzheimer’s.
Vigorous strength training has been shown to reduce the risk as well. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Directors Association looked at how strength training affected cognitive function in older adults with already existing mild cognitive impairment (typically a precursor to Alzheimer’s). Participants engaged in high intensity progressive resistance training twice a week for six months. They showed a significant improvement in cognitive function compared to the group that did only stretching exercises.
There is so much evidence out there that suggests physical exercise can do wonders for people who currently have cognitive impairments, and for preventing disease in the first place. Taking the long way to get places to increase daily steps, or sacrificing 30 minutes of your day may be a challenge, but these studies suggest it may be well worth it in the long run. Modifiable risk factors, like the amount of steps you take each day, are somewhat relieving because you know that you CAN do something about it. And being able to decrease your risk for a disease like dementia by over 50% just by walking an extra 30 minutes a day is astounding. Now you just have to plan to do it!
by Monica Gambrell
Hank Nadu, my one and only brother, inherited our mother’s green thumb. He has the ability to coax anything to grow. He has always loved being in the great outdoors, learning new things about gardening, and working the earth with his hands. It literally takes my breath away when I see the works of his hands. But in stark contrast, I have killed most any plant I’ve ever tried to grow. I’ve even killed cactus before. I envy his gift, but let me share one final event that convinced me of a truth I had not considered before.
as she could have been had I not been involved. You see, as we planted, he sank one seed and I the next, and so on down the row. When the seed produced plants, only every other one survived. And I am quite sure it was the seed I had planted that failed. She only had half the crop of corn that she should have had because of me. These results fully convinced me that I should no longer covet that gift. I should leave gardening to the ones gifted to do it and keep my eyes open to whatever gift I might have instead.
I was temporarily living at my mother’s house. Her neighbors knew how much she loved to garden. She had a space beside her home she rigorously tilled and tended. It was Spring and a kind neighbor, Mr. Stinnett, walked down the hill from his house to plant corn in my mother’s garden. It was a surprise that we had not expected; I simply heard him puttering around the empty garden space and went out to inquire what he was doing. I knew I wasn’t qualified, but he very generously told me exactly what to do and displayed it clearly. I thanked him profusely for his gift of seed and time, but my mother was not as happy
I can’t be like Hank or my mother, but I can be the best me I can be. Do I still attempt to garden? Yes, but in very small ways. I plant a tiny raised bed of herbs and leave God to take care of them. Only then do they grow. Like everyone else, I have lived through a very specific set of trials and challenges. And like everyone else, my giftedness has been molded by them. I can do all things through Christ, yes. But when I work within my giftedness, it doesn’t seem as much like work. Let’s decide together to stop longingly looking at someone else’s gift, and start celebrating the way that we are created to be. We are not without gifts; we are uniquely made to serve in our own capacity.
1 Corinthians 12:4 ESV, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
Father God, every time I think I have learned a lesson You are teaching me, I realize that I still have so much more to learn. I think about Hank and my mother (and now my daughter, Rachel) bringing such beauty into the world through gardening, and execute my own paltry efforts to do the same in different ways. Help me to keep my eyes off of others and on You, Lord. You told us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). May we believe that deeply. You want us to flourish in our own uniqueness, not languish because we want to be like someone else. Amen
by Donald Cantrell
Murray County has been blessed to have Ethan Baggett as one of its biggest supporters. It was just a year ago that Ethan was battling for his life, visiting various doctors and hospitals, as his dad stood beside him, being his advocate, guiding whomever might listen to him, to see that his son was receiving the proper medical care and the correct medicine for his personal needs.
In time he was able to come home, as the citizens of Murray County rallied around him and his family. Before his long stint in the hospital, one could find Ethan working at Food City, always smiling and ever ready to promote Murray High sports or his beloved Florida Gators. He has been a fan of both as long as he has been able to wear the Green and White or the Orange and Blue.
I have never seen anyone who is more positive than this young man or as resilient as Ethan Baggett. He has been battling an infection in his leg ever since coming home from the hospital over a year ago, but none of those setbacks were enough to dampen his outlook on life.
A few weeks ago, our family was out eating in Dalton and we saw Ethan and his family eating there also, as they were celebrating his birthday. We talked and he was looking forward to his coming surgery, ready for the next phase of his life. Some of you may not know, but Ethan was going to have his leg amputated, so that he could receive a prosthetic leg, which should help him get around better, no longer having to use a walker.
On Thursday, February 20th, Ethan and his family went to the hospital and Byron sent out a message telling everyone that things were okay, but before long, Ethan was sending out his own message, asking all of his friends to come and visit him when he got home. He has never waivered in his positive outlook, regardless of what has come his way. He has embraced it, endured it, and moved on from it.
If a ball coach had a team made up of players like Ethan Baggett, that coach would never lose a game, because they would never be defeated. If a pastor of a church had a membership of people like Ethan, they could change the world, because this young man is a world changer! But, he does it by being positive one day at a time, and unto one person at a time.
Ethan is a Murray High fan, a Vol’s fan (YUCK), a Gators fan, a Braves fan, and a Wrestling fan, a Bolt’s Fan, but more importantly, he is a fan of our county and for that we are blessed. I am blessed in knowing this young man and I hope that I can be like him, facing my battles with a positive outlook. I went by to visit Ethan upon his return home from the hospital and he is doing wonderful, never waivering in his faith or his positive outlook on life.
Assembly of God
Christian Fellowship Assembly
3656 Chattanooga Road, 30755
706-280-7594
The Sanctuary 515 Reed Rd NW, 30720 706-270-2088
The Healing Center Church 515 Reed Road, 30720 706-229-9456
Baptist
Abundant Life Baptist Church 811 J and J, 30721
706-278-5289
Antioch Baptist Church
1205 Antioch Road, 30720 706-278-1305
Beaverdale Baptist Church 2496 Beaverdale Rd NW, 30721 706-259-7089
Calvary Baptist Church 2115 Chatsworth Rd, 30721 706-278-6324
Carolyn Baptist Church 2305 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8142
Centerpoint Baptist Church 420 Centerpoint Drive SE, 30721 706-277-2100
Christ Reformed Baptist Church 1378 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-226-3026
Concord Baptist Church 1054 Hopewell Rd, Cohutta 30710
706-694-8618
Cove Baptist Fellowship Church 461 Carbondale Rd SW, 30721 706-277-3484
Crown View Baptist Church 502 West Tyler St, 30720 706-278-7422
Deep Springs Baptist Church 1660 Beaverdale Rd NE, 30721 706-259-3255
Dug Gap Baptist Church 2031 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-2377
Eastbrook Baptist Church 204 Hill Rd, 30720 Eastside Baptist Church 913 East Morris St, 30721 706-278-8553
Eleventh Avenue Baptist Church 2550 South Dalton Bypass, 30722 706-278-7020
Emmaus Baptist Church
4268 S. Dixie Rd, 30735 706-483-5251
First Baptist Church 802 Kenner St, 30721
706-226-9681
First Baptist Church of Dalton 311 North Thornton Ave, 30720
706-278-2911
Grace Baptist Church 2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721
706-537-6884
Good Hope Baptist Church
2525 Lake Francis Rd, 30721
706-259-3719
Grove Level Baptist Church
2802 Cleveland Highway, 30721
706-259-8519
Good Samaritan Baptist Church 3137 Cleveland Rd, 30721
706-259-7239
Gospelway Baptist Church
336 Jupiter Cir, 30721
706-278-1424
Grace Baptist Church
2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721
706-537-6884
Harmony Baptist Church
187 Lower Dawnville Rd, 30721
706-226-5521
Harvest Baptist Church
3986 Cleveland Hwy, 30721
706-694-8951
Hill Crest Baptist Church
1901 Cityview St, 30720
706-279-1267
Hopewell Baptist Church
3527 Airport Rd, 30721
706-226-5987
Kinsey Drive Baptist Church 2626 Kinsey Drive,30720
706-277-3505
Lakeshore Park Baptist Church 12 Crescent St, 30720
706-275-6050
Liberty Baptist Church 506 South Pentz St, 30720
706-226-5535
Lindsey Memorial Baptist
706-673-7650
3503 Lindsey Memorial Rd.
Rocky Face, Ga. 30740
Macedonia Baptist Church
1355 Dawnville Rd NE, 30721
706-259-9220
Maple Grove Baptist Church
347 Maple Grove Rd, 30721
706-483-6300
McFarland Hill Baptist Church
307 Brickyard Rd, 30721
706-277-5521
Mount Rachel Baptist Church
332 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720
706-278-5192
Mount Ridge Baptist Church
1401 M L King, Jr. Blvd, 30721
706-278-0335
New Hope Baptist Church
900 Roan St, 30721
706-226-2093
New Hope Baptist Church
706-673-8050
2105 Tunnel Hill-Varnell Road
Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
New Life Baptist Church
2620 Old Grade Rd, 30721
Northwest Georgia Baptist Church
222 North Pentz St, 30720
706-463-3490
Olivia Baptist Church
1817 Guy St, 30720
706-278-3507
Pine Grove Baptist Church
4004 Airport Road, 30721
706-264-8630
Poplar Springs Baptist Church
897 Poplar Springs Rd, 30720
706-259-8727
Reformation Baptist Church
244 N. Hamilton St, 30720
706-314-8711
Rocky Face Baptist Church
1544 Rocky Face Railroad St, 30740
706- 226-5751
Salem Baptist Church
1448 Pleasant Grove Dr, 30721
706-259-7045
South Dalton Baptist Church
498 Lakemont Drive, 30720
706-278-4946
Shiloh Baptist Church
2014 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-226-5981
Temple Baptist Church 2310 South Dixie Hwy, 30720 706-226-6785
Tunnel Hill First Baptist Church 706-673-2085
202 South Cherry Street Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
Valley Baptist Church
2907 Old Rome, 30720
Welcome Hill Baptist Church 2772 E Welcome Hill Circle, 30721 706-278-0368
Whitfield Baptist Church 2134 Dug Gap Rd, 30721
706-278-6776
Bible
Fellowship Bible Church 2044 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-6269
Catholic
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 968 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720 706-278-3107
Christian
First Christian Church 1506 Dug Gap Rd, 30720
706-278-7244
Church of Christ
Central Church of Christ
515 N. Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-278-8051
Riverbend Church of Christ 2218 S Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-226-0819
Church of God
Church of God of Union Assembly 2311 South Dixie Rd, 30720 706-275-0510
City View Church of God 3688 Chatsworth Hwy, 30721 706-226-6686
Crosspointe 2681 Underwood Street 30721 706-278-2649
Lifegate Church
2744 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-0016
Valley Brook Church of God 1474 Mineral Springs Rd, 30720 706-279-3296
Community
Church on the Hill
1035 Abutment Rd, 30721 706-278-9208
Community Fellowship Church 409 North Fredrick St, 30721 706-278-3204
Freedom Community Church 908 Elk Street, 30720 706-463-2690
The River Community Church 2410 Cleveland Hwy, Suite 112, 30721 678-314-7994
Rock Bridge Community Church 121 W Crawford St, 30720
Episcopal
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church 901 West Emory St, 30720
706-278-8857
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1309 Applewood Drive, 30720 706-529-0192
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1817 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-270-0156
Latter-day
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 610 Shugart Rd, 30720 706-278-5295
Lutheran
Christ the King Lutheran Church 623 S Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-3979
Methodist
Bethel AME Church 620 Spring Street, 30720 706-226-2714
Bethel Methodist Church 123 Bethel Church Rd, 30721 706-278-3309
Dalton First UMC 500 South Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-8494
Fairview Church 1735 Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-996-5057
Five Springs Methodist Church 2823 Five Springs Rd, 30720 706-277-3928
Mineral Springs UMC 4079 Airport Road, 30721 706-517-0200
Mt. Vernon UMC 597 Lafayette Road Rocky Face, GA 30740 706-673-4667
New Haven UMC 4040 South Dixie Highway, 30721 706-217-1879
Pleasant Grove Methodist 2701 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-3141
Trinity UMC 901 Veterans Dr, 30721 706-278-4042
Varnell Church
3485 Highway 2 Cohutta, 30710 706-694-8023
Wesley Chapel UMC 808 Jamestown CT, 30721 706-270-2331
First Church of the Nazarene 2325 Chattanooga Rd, 30720 706-278-8428
Grace Church of the Nazarene 1111 Nelson St, 30721 706-278-1171
Non-Denominational
Abundant Life Bible Church 901 Chester Road, 30721
706-270-9733
Bridging the Gap Ministries
514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721
706-277-7575
Relentless Worship Center
210 Robinwood Dr, 30721
706-313-1129
Dalton House Of Prayer
897 College Dr, Conference Rm 3, 30720
706-915-6545
Dawnville Community Church
1409 Dawnville Rd NE, 30721
706-259-5342
Good Neighbors Church 910 South Thornton Ave, 30720
706-226-0846
Gospel Light Tabernacle 804 Sheridan Ave, 30721
Grace Fellowship Ministries 620 N Glenwood Ave 2&3, 30721
706-280-1375
Northwest Christian Fellowship
272 Main St, Varnell, GA 30756
706-694-9830
River of Life Church of Dalton
2919 East Walnut Ave, 30721
706-965-6683
Saint James Overcoming Church
400 North Fredrick St, 30721
706-278-0319
Tunnel Hill Community Church
706-673-4022
121 North Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
Pentecostal
Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Fuente de Agua Viva 1007 Underwood St, 30721
706-278-4963
La Senda Antigua 308 East Matilda St, 30720
706-270-8826
True Gospel Pentecostal Church 109 South Henderson St, 30721 706-278-5696
Shadow Ridge Worship Center 122 Wheat Drive Varnell, GA 30721
706-280-4546
Presbyterian
ChristChurch Presbyterian 510 South Tibbs Rd, 30720
706-529-2911
First Presbyterian Church 101 S. Selvidge St, 30720
706-278-8161
Grace Presbyterian Church
2107 Threadmill Rd, 30720
706-226-6344
Salvationalist
Salvation Army 1109 N. Thornton Ave, 30722
706-278-3966
Seventh Day Adventist 3 Angels Hispanic SDA
701 E Morris St, 30721
706-618-1182
Dalton Hispanic SDA 112 W Long St, 30720
706-275-0523
Dalton SDA Church
300 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-226-2166
Baptist
Blue Ridge Primitive Baptist Church
706-517-9849
134 Hyden Tyler Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Calvary Baptist Church
706-695-7747
Highway 225 North
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Center Hill Baptist Church
706-695-7988
65 Berry Bennett Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Cisco Baptist Church
706-695-9270
Highway 411 North
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Cool Springs Baptist Church
706-517-5388
4330 Holly Creek Cool Springs Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Fellowship Baptist Church
706-695-2626
4396 Highway 52
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First Baptist Church
706-695-2112
121 West Market Street
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Flat Branch Baptist Church
706-695-2663
3443 Highway 286
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Free Hope Baptist Church
706-695-3717
4176 Highway 76
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Holly Creek Baptist Church
706-695-8522
422 Holly Creek
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Liberty Baptist Church 4221 US-76, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Little Consauga Baptist Church
706-517-5733
1100 Sugar Creek
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Maranatha Baptist Church
706-695-6330
Highway 225 South
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church
706-517-8944
2309 Old Highway 411
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
New Hope Baptist Church
706-517-3089
1273 New Hope Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
New Prospect Baptist Church
706-629-9521
7629 Highway 225
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Old Fashion Baptist Church
706-695-5420
885 Ben Adams Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Open Air Ministries
706-386-484
1058 Mtn Crest Dr.
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Prayer Baptist Church
706-624-9216
10859 Hwy. 225 South
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Shinning Light Baptist Church
706-517-1739
801 North 5th Avenue
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Smyrna Baptist Church
706-695-5815
1913 Smyrna Church Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Spring Place Baptist Church
706-695-5532
441 Highway 225 South
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Total Praise Baptist Church
706-695-6441
1461 Greeson Bend Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Zion Hill Baptist Church
706-517-5913
Highway 225 North
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Bible
Grace Bible Church
2599 Leonard Bridge Rd.
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Church of Christ
Woodhaven Church of Christ
706-847-7400
508 West Peachtree Street
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Church of God
Chatsworth Church of God
706-695-9388
Highway 411 South
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Central Community Church
706-695-4242
60 Pine Hills Drive
Chatsworth, GA 30705
Spring Place Church of God
706-695-8000
717 Tibbs Bridge Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Full Gospel
Faith Worship Center
706-695-6866
189 Hyden Tyler Road
Chatsworth GA 30705
House Of Prayer
616 Jenkins Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Methodist
Casey Springs
7250 Chastworth Highway South
Chastworth, GA 30705
Center Valley Methodist Church
706-971-4646
5394 Highway 225 North
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
First Methodist Church
706-695-3211
107 W Cherokee Street
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Fullers Chapel UMC
2144 Fuller’s Chapel Rd
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place UMC
706-695-5143
Po Box 248
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Smyrna Gospel Tabernacle
784 Smyrna Church Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705
The Church of God of the Union Assembly at Chatsworth, GA
706-695-7335
Highway 52 Alternate
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Liberty Tabernacle
706-517-3140
2196 Smyrna Church Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Living Word Christian Fellowship
706-695-5005
960 Cherokee Drive
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Beginnings Ministries
706-695-6067
646 Floodtown Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US North Gate Church
706-548-4967
7727 Highway 225 South
Chatsworth, GA 30755 US Tabernacle of Praise
706-517-0377
1435 Leonard Bridge Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Wings Of Faith Ministries
706-695-1527
1122 North Holly Drive
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Pentecostal
Victory Tabernacle
706-517-1458
355 Ellijay Street
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US A Place to Worship
706-517-8568
259 Old Landfill Rd
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Presbyterian Sumach Presbyterian Church 706-695-4773
2089 Sumach Church
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Seventh Day Adventist Hispanic Adventist Church of Chatsworth
706-264-4299
88 North Park Drive
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 706-517-5124
1115 Highway 52
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
We believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers.
Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, He did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.
Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and professional writers to stay at home moms and dads, business professionals, and others who have a desire to reach out to people through words of encouragement.
What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you!
Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com
Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.
