Redeeming Love Christian Church is celebrating nine years of putting God’s love into action through service to the Rockdale-Newton community, and this year they are reaching out in an even bigger way.

Pastor Arthur “Jaime” Croone and his wife, Co-Pastor Tanya Croone, had previously served at Total Grace Christian in Decatur, under the leadership of Bishop Johnathan Alvarado, before they started Redeeming Love. After 12 years at Total Grace, and with support from Alvarado, they felt the time was right to start their own ministry.

“We felt really called to the Conyers area,” Croone said. The couple moved from Decatur and built their home in Covington. Redeeming Love Christian Church began in January and opened the location at 1931 Old Covington Road in Conyers in April 2005.

“It’s been phenomenal to engage in the community,” Croone said. “It’s been part fun, part challenging. It was a pull and a call to serve others.”

Redeeming Love will celebrate its ninth anniversary with leadership workshops on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. – noon. On Sunday, April 6, special services at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. will feature guest speakers giving thanks and accolades with the theme, “It’s Harvest Time.” 

This year, Croone said his goal is to connect and network more with other churches in the community. “There’s a synergy and sustainability that’s created,” he said. “You can do more with others than you can do alone.”

The church’s values are evident through its dedication to service in the community.

All during June, the church partners with Clements Middle School to hold an Open Gym on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. About 70-100 kids come to play basketball in tournaments and are mentored by adults from the church. Vacation Bible School also takes place June 9-14, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., this year.

In August, the congregation participates in the “Great Month of Service” where the men’s ministry visits the homes of the elderly and families in need to do household repairs, plumbing, electrical work, pressure washing, clean up and more. 

Towards November, the church holds a “Holiday Feed the Family” campaign in partnership with the Atlanta Food Bank, giving away food, frozen turkeys and more. The Saturday before Thanksgiving, the church serves a full Thanksgiving meal to families in need. 

Closer to Christmas the church partners with Toys for Tots, giving away 5,000 toys while making sure families have a Christmas to remember. 

The community church plays an important role in society, said Croone. “For me, I think the community church has been the backbone of the community,” Croone said. “You meet people there, fellowship there. It brings a level of strength.”

Active member and Minister Cheryl Singletary and her husband felt this community strength when they moved here from Ohio last year after their adult children moved out. “We rolled up our sleeves and went to work,” Singletary said. “We’re really grateful for our pastors and the love that emotes from Redeeming Love.”

Pastors Jaime and Tanya Croone first met in middle school in Cleveland, Ohio, where both grew up. She was his first love, he said, and his “forever love.” He joined the Army, which eventually brought him to Georgia in 1990 and the two reunited. They have three sons and a daughter who all graduated or still attend Newton High – Christian, 20, Stephen, 19, David, 17, and Amiyah, 15.

For more information on  Redeeming Love, go to redeeming.org or 770-922-1491.