Connect Church was started to enhance and transform our community by ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to show the love of Jesus to families in southeast Atlanta in such a powerful way that one day people will say, “When Connect Church was established in this area, crime went down and the number of out of wedlock births dropped significantly. Something has changed since Connect Church came to our community.” Connect Church is committed to doing whatever it takes to bring people to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

On November 28, 2010, Connect Church held its first preview service at Oakview Elementary School in Decatur, and we are now meeting there for worship every Sunday. Although meeting in a school facility was not our first choice, God has placed us directly on the mission field. With the help of volunteers and community partners, Connect Church has completed several community enhancement missions events including a Black Friday Kids’ Party (providing fun activities and a Bible lesson for kids while parents shopped at Black Friday sales), a Teachers’ Appreciation Luncheon, and a Connect Christmas Outreach (providing gifts for needy children).

The harvest is certainly ripe in southeast Atlanta. As we seek to creatively and innovatively share Jesus, we can use support in three areas: (1) Connect Church needs volunteers for community service projects, such as Upward Sports™ Basketball/Cheerleading and other events. We have access to 2,000 families, but it is a challenge to serve so many people with a limited number of volunteers. (2) We are in need of funds for outreach ministries. Since we don’t pay huge staff salaries and we meet in a school building, donations go directly to grassroots ministry. (3) We need fasting and prayer. If Connect Church is going to be successful, it will be solely because of God’s blessing.

Connect Church is already seeking to plant other churches in Atlanta. We are working with planters who are helping to start Connect Church with the intent of being sent out to launch other churches.

Martez Andrews and family

Martez Andrews is a native of Atlanta, born and raised in West End. Martez, who also goes by “Pastor Tez,” realized when he graduated from high school that he was faced with a decision: Was he going to live his life for God or for himself? He chose God and soon felt the call to ministry. He graduated from Carver Bible College in southwest Atlanta in 2005 and was working in an Information Technology (IT) career when he sensed God calling him to full-time ministry. Martez took a big step of faith, leaving a great IT job, selling his house, packing up his family, and moving away from his familiar Atlanta surroundings to attend Dallas Theological Seminary.

During his seminary days, Martez became very involved in a large church in Dallas, leading a vibrant youth and worship program there. After graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary in three years, Martez was faced with many great opportunities, including staying in Dallas where he had become quite comfortable and successful in his ministry. While working as an adjunct professor at Southern Bible Institute, he realized that the choice came down to one question: Where could he have the most impact for the kingdom of God? And the answer was clear: southeast Atlanta, where 200,000 people live in a five-mile radius and 80% of the people don’t know Christ.

Tez is married to Gala and they have four sons.

Contact Info:

Martez Andrews, Connect Church

Church meeting location: Oakview Elementary at 3574 Oakvale Rd., Decatur, GA 30034

Mailing address: PO Box 352, Ellenwood, GA 30294

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facebook: Connect Church