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August 7, 2013 | forsythherald.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 13, No. 32
Redeemer pastor Dr. Lee to step down Led church for 17 years ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com
Paislee Powell, 3, selects a sunflower with her mom, Reagan.
ALDO NAHED/Staff
Here comes the sun(flowers) CUMMING, Ga. — It’s time again for the sunflower patch located at the intersection of Ga. Highway 9 and Shiloh Road (Majors Road) to be filled with smiling people of all ages. Purchases are done through an honor system,
where people choose their sunflowers and place money in a box. A dozen sunflowers is $10 and half dozen is $6. Pictures are free and offer priceless keepsakes. On a recent Wednesday, Parker Marlow, 15, of Cumming, selected the prettiest
sunflowers for his girlfriend — Reilly Hyde. And Reagan Powell, a wedding photographer out of Dawson, stopped by to snap pictures of her daughter, Paislee, 3. Call 770-889-1046 for more information. -Aldo Nahed
CUMMING, Ga. — Dr. Richard Lee, senior pastor of the First Redeemer Church, caught nearly 5,000 members of the congregation by surprise when he announced Sunday, July 28 he would step down Sept. 29 from his role as senior pastor. “I will do so believing in the depths of my heart that this is the will of God,” he said in an open letter to members. Lee said he will remain in the role of the founding pastor of the church. “This will be a secondary role, meaning that I will be available to aid the work of our new senior pastor as needed and will return to preach from time to time as the opportunity arises,” he said. First Redeemer will be under the leadership new pastor, Jeff Jackson and his wife, Catherine. Sept. 29 is also the 17th anniversary of the First Redeemer Church. The church started in 1996 at a renovated warehouse in Cobb County. “During the years since, we have witnessed God’s amazing favor upon our church family,” he said. Starting from a small group of 87 attenders on that day, the church is about 5,000 members strong at their 50acre location, 2100 Peachtree Parkway. “Personally, Judy and I, as your Pastor and wife are able
ALDO NAHED/Archive
Last year, Dr. Richard Lee, senior pastor of the First Redeemer Church in Cumming, introduced presidential candidate Rick Santorum to the congregation.
to look back at what has been the most productive 17 years of ministry in our lifetime,” he said. Lee said First Redeemer Church was made possible because of Tucker-based Rehoboth Baptist, which had the vision to launch in Forsyth County back in 1996. Lee said he will focus his time on the “There’s Hope America” ministry through radio broadcasting, book publishing and preaching opportunities. In addition, he will continue to serve as president of “There’s Hope for the Hungry.”