How it all started...
Before there was a building, there was a family...
In 1980 something .... The Goins family consisted of Kenneth and Connie Goins along with their four sons Chris, Kelly, Stephen, and Kasey. They were residents of a small town in East Tennessee known as Graysville.
They were heavily involved in church; in fact church became their whole life. Ken and Connie would serve in many different areas of the local church, mainly as youth pastors and part of the music ministry. They would do that for many years at Sale Creek Church of God and then at Graysville Church of God.
In addition to being faithful members of their church, they were a musical family that began to travel and evangelize out of those churches. They formed a group known as Ken Goins and the Spiritual Explosions.
Ken and Connie were happy doing just that. They loved taking their family and others
around to sing, preach and hold revivals.
They were heavily involved in church; in fact church became their whole life. Ken and Connie would serve in many different areas of the local church, mainly as youth pastors and part of the music ministry. They would do that for many years at Sale Creek Church of God and then at Graysville Church of God.
In addition to being faithful members of their church, they were a musical family that began to travel and evangelize out of those churches. They formed a group known as Ken Goins and the Spiritual Explosions.
Ken and Connie were happy doing just that. They loved taking their family and others
around to sing, preach and hold revivals.
March 0f 1983
This is a picture of the first location of WBCC. It has since burned down. All that remains of this location is a vacant lot.
Breaking Ground
Church members and family members laying the foundation for WBCC.
November Of 1983
The first service in the sanctuary we know today was held in November of 1983.
The Early Years ...
25 Years...
For 25 years Pastor Ken and Connie Goins served side by side. Ken Preached the word while Connie hammered away at the piano.
Throughout their long ministry as pastors , Watts Bar Community Church became a launchpad for countless evangelists, pastors, and worship leaders all over the country who are still in ministry today.
God was on the move. God took two ordinary people that simply surrendered their will, their dreams, their plans for His plan and used them to reach people that nobody else wanted. Over 25 years, they endured hurt, betrayal, and pain from people they loved and poured into – but they just kept loving them. They were on a mission.
Throughout their long ministry as pastors , Watts Bar Community Church became a launchpad for countless evangelists, pastors, and worship leaders all over the country who are still in ministry today.
God was on the move. God took two ordinary people that simply surrendered their will, their dreams, their plans for His plan and used them to reach people that nobody else wanted. Over 25 years, they endured hurt, betrayal, and pain from people they loved and poured into – but they just kept loving them. They were on a mission.
They loved God, they loved people, and they served others.
A Legacy Left Behind...
In February of 2008 Pastor Ken was diagnosed with brain cancer. He continued to serve this church and community until he took his last breath.
On August 28th of that same year, Watts Bar Church lost one of
its founding pastors and this community lost a great man. Pastors Ken and Connie pioneered and pastored the Watts Bar Church of God together for more than 25 years.
Pastor Ken went home to be with Lord but left behind a legacy that reached further than he ever could have imagined.
On August 28th of that same year, Watts Bar Church lost one of
its founding pastors and this community lost a great man. Pastors Ken and Connie pioneered and pastored the Watts Bar Church of God together for more than 25 years.
Pastor Ken went home to be with Lord but left behind a legacy that reached further than he ever could have imagined.
This was the last baby dedication Pastor Ken was a part of. The baby he is holding would later become his granddaughter, Khloe Yates.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory."
1 Corinthians 15:54
A New Role For A Familiar Leader ...
Upon Pastor Ken's passing, Pastor Connie assumed the role of Lead Pastor. She was an Ordained Minister in the Church of God. She was an anointed speaker and prayed harder than anyone! When you walked in the doors she would hug your neck and welcome you into the family.
Shortly after she stepped into her new role, Pastor Connie suffered a stroke that left her blind but that didnt stop her. She continued to serve as Lead Pastor of Watts Bar Church from 2008 until June 10, 2012 when she was deemed Pastor Emeritus by Bishop Donald Walker. On that date, her son, Kelly Goins, became the Lead Pastor.
Shortly after she stepped into her new role, Pastor Connie suffered a stroke that left her blind but that didnt stop her. She continued to serve as Lead Pastor of Watts Bar Church from 2008 until June 10, 2012 when she was deemed Pastor Emeritus by Bishop Donald Walker. On that date, her son, Kelly Goins, became the Lead Pastor.
A Familiar Call ....
Kelly Goins, Ken and Connie's second oldest son, was living in Atlanta, Georgia when he received the call. However, the call wasn't the one you'd expect or anyone would expect for that matter. Kelly and his wife Denise spent 30+ years serving in worship ministry in Cleveland Tennessee, Watts Bar Community Church, and Lexington Kentucky when they finally landed at their home in Atlanta Georgia. They were serving as Worship Pastors at Life Church International with Pastors Victor and Jamie Massey.
Just like his father, Kelly was happy. He was more than content in music ministry. He had no desire to become a Lead Pastor. Then God began to call Kelly home to pastor..... Sound familiar?
Just like his father, Kelly was happy. He was more than content in music ministry. He had no desire to become a Lead Pastor. Then God began to call Kelly home to pastor..... Sound familiar?
Back In The Day ...
Youth ski trip in 2014 with Youth Pastors Jeff and Wendy Daggett. Several of those kids still serve at WBCC. Three of them are WBCC pastors now.
Centuries 101
The first Easter production (Centuries - The Rock Opera) was held on Easter of 2015. Pastor Kelly played the role of Jesus.
Christmas Giveback
2014 marked the first time we held a Christmas Giveback. We have been able to help countless struggling families over the years get Christmas gifts for their children.
The Times Have Changed But The Heart Has Not.
Early 1990's
Early 2010's
Present Day
A Chosen Legacy...
When Pastors Kelly and Denise took over as lead pastors in 2012, Pastor Connie remained very active in the church and was beloved by all who came through our doors.
Pastor Connie began serving as Pastoral Care Pastor of Watts Bar Church in addition to being Coordinator for Chosen Ladies Conference, which she founded in 2002. She continued to serve and be an inspiration and blessing to others until she went to be with the Lord in September 2019.
There is no doubt that her legacy had a lasting effect on every person she came in contact with throughout her many blessed years on this earth.
Pastor Connie began serving as Pastoral Care Pastor of Watts Bar Church in addition to being Coordinator for Chosen Ladies Conference, which she founded in 2002. She continued to serve and be an inspiration and blessing to others until she went to be with the Lord in September 2019.
There is no doubt that her legacy had a lasting effect on every person she came in contact with throughout her many blessed years on this earth.
"But you are a CHOSEN Race, a ROYAL priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"
1 Peter 2:9
Where we are headed...
We closed out 2023 with 40 years as a church.
That's 40 years of the gospel.
40 years of worship.
40 years of salvations.
40 years of miracles.
40 years of lost being found.
40 years of addicts being set free.
40 years of lives being changed.
40 years of ministry.
40 years of legacy.
As incredible as that is, we are just getting started!
40 years of worship.
40 years of salvations.
40 years of miracles.
40 years of lost being found.
40 years of addicts being set free.
40 years of lives being changed.
40 years of ministry.
40 years of legacy.
As incredible as that is, we are just getting started!
We have taken on the words of the prophet Haggai in Haggai 2:9 – we believe it’s a word from God for us.