New Birth shifts Labor Day reopening plans amid Delta variant surge

Ministry to host pull-up service featuring gospel recording artist Fred Hammond, free food giveaway, COVID-19 vaccinations + other community outreach

STONECREST, GA—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host a pull-up worship service on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the ministry’s campus located at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest.

Initially planned as a reopening for in-person Sunday service, Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant pivoted Labor Day weekend plans out of an abundance of caution as Georgia’s COVID-19 cases surge and vaccinations plateau. The pull-up worship experience will feature award-winning gospel artist Fred Hammond and free COVID-19 vaccinations.

“We had to make a deliberate shift in our reopening plans that initially included returning to limited in-person services,” said Bryant. “The sobering reality is that there are still so many people who need access to the vaccination, and we want to continue our efforts in creating a convenient opportunity for our members and our surrounding community to do so with this weekend of outreach.”

Saturday Community Outreach

On Saturday, Sept. 4, beginning at 10 a.m., New Birth will host a series of community-focused outreach activities including free COVID-19 testing and food distribution at New Birth’s Family Life Center located on the church’s campus in Stonecrest. The King’s Table, New Birth’s food pantry, provides an array of free groceries, fresh produce, and shelf-stable items to hundreds of families each week. In addition to the free hearty food boxes, the first 300 families will receive compact stainless steel refrigerators.

In addition to food items, The King’s Table’s weekly food distribution also provides families with toiletries and other household items upon request. If needed, ministry leaders are also on hand to provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals and families.

All items distributed at The King’s Table are available on a first come, first served basis.

COVID-19 testing will be available onsite.

Sunday’s Pull-Up Worship Service

Grammy Award winning artist Hammond will join Bryant for an all-white pull-up affair on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. The drive-in theatre-style celebration will allow attendees to gather outside with options to remain in their vehicles or social distance in various open areas across the vast parking lot.

“This outdoor worship experience will provide our members an opportunity to gather and remain safe in the process,” added Bryant. “We are beyond blessed to welcome my brother Fred Hammond to join us as we take full advantage of this opportunity to reconvene as a congregation and community.”

Advancing its ongoing partnership with Elite Medial Associates, New Birth will also provide free COVID vaccinations from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5, at the Family Life Center. Individuals are asked to bring a state-issued identification. Insurance is not required. Registration is encouraged. Registration link: tinyurl.com/EMANewbirth090521.

For more information, visit wearenewbirth.org.