Church of the Highlands

Church of the Highlands is a non-denominational, Christian multi-site megachurch headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. It was the largest congregation in Alabama and the second largest church in the United States as of 2018, with an average of 43,030 attendees every week. The senior pastor is Chris Hodges.

Church of the Highlands
Grants Mill Campus
33°30′59.45″N 86°39′20.53″W
LocationBirmingham, Alabama
CountryUnited States
DenominationNon-denominational Christian
Weekly attendance43,030
Websitechurchofthehighlands.com
History
FoundedFebruary 4, 2001
Founder(s)Chris Hodges
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Chris Hodges

History

The church was founded on February 4, 2001 by Chris Hodges and a core group of 34 people. [1][2] In 2007, it opened its main building, with a 2,400-seat auditorium. [3] The church has opened numerous campuses in the Birmingham. [4][5] According to a 2018 church census, it claimed a weekly attendance of 43,030 people. [6][7]

Affiliations

Church of the Highlands is affiliated with the Association of Related Churches (ARC). Its pastoral staff are among the founding members of ARC.

Highlands College was founded by Church of the Highlands staff. Students of the college serve on various teams at the church. Highlands College states that they offer, "a unique approach to higher education through a holistic training experience,"[8] and focus on 4 areas of instruction: academic instruction, ministry training, character formation, and spiritual development. Students who attend Highlands College have the option to receive a degree through the college's affiliation with Southeastern University (SEU).[9]

Campus locations

Church of the Highlands simulcasts the sermon portion of the service from the Grants Mill campus to its other campuses[10] via video feed. Each campus has its own pastor, worship experience, small group gatherings and ministry opportunities.

See also

References
  1. GREG GARRISON, Church of the Highlands is largest congregation in Alabama, gadsdentimes.com, USA, February 19, 2011
  2. Sarah Kuper, Relationship Driven: Church of the Highlands Focuses on Relationships as New Campus Opens, otmj.com, USA, March 23, 2016
  3. Al, Church of the Highlands, Alabama's largest, adds new youth auditorium, al.com, USA, October 16, 2010
  4. Kay Campbell, Birmingham's Church of the Highlands to launch Huntsville campus, al.com, USA, December 20, 2013
  5. Jason Morton, Work is under way off Rice Mine Road preparing the site for the new Tuscaloosa campus of Church of the Highlands, tuscaloosanews.com, USA, July 16, 2016
  6. Lifeway research, 2018 Largest Churches in America, outreachmagazine.com, USA, retrieved January 16, 2021
  7. Garrison, Greg. "Alabama's largest church adds McCalla branch". al.com. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  8. "About | Highlands College". www.highlandscollege.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  9. "Degree Option | Academics | Highlands College". www.highlandscollege.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  10. https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/campuses
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