Yesterday afternoon New Town Macon held its annual meeting. The meeting is an opportunity for New Town to give a yearly review as well as talk about what is on the horizon. Bruce Green from the Georgia Department of Economic Development also spoke. Towards the end of the meeting New Town presented its "Partners in Progress Awards." Some of the award winners were Talmadge Stuckey for 'Growing Jobs,' College Hill Corridor received the '360 Degrees Award,' and Cox Communications received the 'Creating a Sense of Place Award.' Some of the other award winners were County Commission Chairman Sam Hart, Mayor Robert Reichert, and NEW CITY CHURCH.
The award reads, "Emerging Leader," but the accolades given went well beyond any one person and spoke very clearly of a church making a difference in its city. It was amazing to hear all of the reasons the award was presented to me, especially hearing them from people not associated with New City Church. Some of the things mentioned:
starting a church in downtown Macon
a growing congregation
involvement in downtown events
a recognized presence working for downtown
volunteers serving regularly at downtown events
New City people moving to the city
financial support in the city (even quoting our Live, Work, and Play downtown)
the start of City Watch and our strong support of it
Honestly, there may have been more said. The moment was incredibly surreal and the presenter seemed to go on and on with really great things to say... it was a little overwhelming. It is still a little overwhelming.
So - New City - your work in the city, your love of the city, and your hope for the city has not gone unnoticed, and as a result it seems you have favor with all the people (Acts 2:47).
