A House of Hope on Mount Paran Road
Mount Paran Church of God rises from the wooded streets of northwest Atlanta, where Mount Paran Road winds through Buckhead between Powers Ferry and Northside Drive. The church's single words, "Giving the World Hope in Christ," frame everything that happens inside the building at 2055 Mount Paran Road NW. Pastors David and Barbie Cooper describe the mission in plain language: "We share a passion to reach the city of Atlanta for Christ." Locals know the church as a steady presence in the neighborhood, a place where Sunday mornings draw families, students, and adults from across the metro area.
Worshipers can step into the sanctuary, climb the steps to the Youth and Young Adults Building, or sit down with a coffee in the Cafe before a service begins. The church's footprint reflects decades of growth, and the calendar around it is full of weekly gatherings, classes, mission trips, and conferences. The story that Mount Paran tells about itself is built on three pillars, written in capitals on the front page: Grow Up, Grow Together, and Grow Out.
Sundays at 9 and 11 AM
Two identical Sunday services fill the sanctuary at 9:00 and 11:00 AM, with music led by the Worship and Music Arts ministry and teaching from Pastor David Cooper. Both services are held in person and streamed live online, so anyone watching from home can follow along in real time. Children from twelve weeks through elementary grade attend MP Family at both hours, and middle and high schoolers gather for MP Youth at the 11:00 AM service. A team of trained caregivers staffs the nursery, preschool, and elementary rooms, and every child is checked in and out with a printed nametag and matching claim ticket. A Well Child Policy, written with input from the American Academy of Pediatrics, keeps sick children home so the rooms stay healthy.
Those who cannot join live can catch a rebroadcast. The Sunday service airs again on Sunday at 4:00, 6:00, and 10:00 PM, on Monday at 7:00 PM, and on Wednesday at 8:30 PM. All rebroadcasts are available through the church app and the live page. Visitors who want to plan ahead can use the I'm New Here page to let a team member know they are coming, and directions are posted on Google Maps.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
If Sunday is the front door, Wednesday night is the family table. Doors open at 5:30 PM with a hot dinner in the Cafe, and the full program begins at 7:00 PM and runs for the whole household. Worship and the Word meets in the Chapel under Pastor David Cooper and the pastoral staff, with downloadable study guides that follow each week's message. MP Youth fills the Youth Center and the Middle School Auditorium: open gym starts at 6:00 PM, the Tent gathers high schoolers at 7:00 PM, and the 400 is the weekly meeting for middle schoolers. MP Kids takes over the third floor Game Room for Bible Quest and small group huddles. A rotation of Life Courses fills the Walker Center classrooms, with Faith and Fitness, Engaging Islam, and Grace for Grief leading the current season.
The Wednesday rhythm is a Mount Paran signature. Members describe the night as the easiest way to feel plugged in, because dinner, teaching, and community are all on one campus and end at a reasonable hour for families.
David and Barbie Cooper: Pastors of Mount Paran
Dr. David Cooper and his wife Barbie serve as the pastors of Mount Paran Church. David was born in Atlanta and Barbie grew up in West Palm Beach. The two met on a blind date and have been together since. David preaches the gospel and teaches the Bible in a down-to-earth style, enjoys pastoral counseling, and writes and plays music in addition to his preaching work. Barbie is a Bible student and teacher who invests her energy in encouraging women to reach their potential in Christ. The couple's note to the church reads like a family letter: "Mount Paran is our home and our passion. We enjoy working out together, riding bikes, and going to our favorite Atlanta restaurants. We love our two miniature dachshunds, Mikey and Beau." Their sermons are available as a weekly podcast called Dig Deep with Pastor David Cooper, released on Wednesdays.
Foundational Beliefs
Mount Paran teaches that the Bible is God's sole inspired, inerrant, and authoritative revelation of Himself. The church confesses one God eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. New birth, experienced through faith in Christ and repentance from sin, is taught as the only way to eternal life. The church believes in divine healing provided through Christ's atonement, with prayer and the laying on of hands as the biblical pathway to wholeness. The Holy Spirit is honored as the resident power for life and ministry, and the church embraces Holy Spirit baptism with the full range of spiritual gifts. Members are taught to pursue growth in grace and knowledge of Christ, with love as the mark of spiritual maturity. Heaven is held out as a real promise, and final judgment is taught for those who reject God's saving grace. The church practices two ordinances: the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion) and water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The statement of faith is presented as a teaching overview that draws from the broader Church of God Statement of Faith rather than a tight creed.
Family Ministry: From Nursery to Fifth Grade
Family Ministry is built around the verse "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:34) and the truth that "children are a gift from the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). The nursery welcomes babies from twelve weeks to thirty-six months in age-divided spaces staffed by trained caregivers. Preschoolers, from age three through kindergarten, join Mount Paran Preschool for games, puppets, crafts, songs, and Bible activities designed for short attention spans. Mount Paran Kids, for first through fifth graders, partners with parents to lead children into becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus through Bible lessons, missions stories, and weekly challenges. A leadership track called World Changers invites incoming fifth graders into discipleship, service, and bi-weekly Zoom Bible studies for a small registration fee.
Outside the church walls, the Family Ministry partners with Child Evangelism Fellowship to run Good News Clubs in two south Cobb elementary schools. Volunteers meet with kids on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:00 PM, September through April, after a 2001 U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened public school buildings to the program. Background clearance is required for all volunteers.
Mount Paran Youth: Middle School and High School
Mount Paran Middle, for sixth through eighth graders, and Mount Paran High, for ninth through twelfth graders, meet in the Youth and Young Adults Building under the banner "We are Mount Paran Youth." The weekly rhythm looks like this:
- Sundays at 9:00 AM: Bible Study in The Loft for both middle and high school.
- Sundays at 11:00 AM: Youth Service in the Youth Auditorium, with MP Family available for younger siblings.
- Sundays at 6:00 PM: Open Court, an open-gym hangout in the gym.
- Sundays at 7:00 PM: The 400 for middle school in the Youth Center, and The Tent for high school in the Upper Youth Sanc.
- First Sundays at 10:30 AM: Rally Sunday in the Youth Center for middle school; The Morning Mix (a breakfast) at 10:00 AM in the Middle School Auditorium for high school.
- Wednesdays at 7:00 PM: The 400 for middle school and The Tent for high school, both with high-energy games, snacks, and Bible discussion.
Students stay connected through Instagram at @mountparanyouth and through SMS: text MPM to 470-627-5494 for middle school updates or MPH for high school. Special events fill the calendar, including the MP High Conference "Lift Your Eyes," a one-day experience for ninth through twelfth graders centered on Psalm 104.
Young Adults, Ages 18 to 35
Mount Paran Young Adults describes itself as "authentic community, deeper relationships, growing in Christ." The group gathers in the Youth and Young Adults Building one Sunday night a month for worship, the Word, and prayer, then stays for food and fellowship. Thursday nights during the fall and spring semesters add a Bible study or hangout. Local and global mission projects, SERVE Days, and outings such as the MP Young Adults Bowling Night at Lucky Strike Marietta fill out the year. Childcare is available for specific events when requested in advance. Young Adults follow @mountparanchurch on social media for the latest details.
MPower Adults: Ministry for the 55-Plus Community
MPower Adults is the church's 55-plus ministry, offering Bible studies, small groups, social events, and trips. Dr. Kent Hawkins teaches the Sunday morning MPower Bible Study from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in Walker Center 202, with the class also live-streamed. A second adult class, Know the Word, Live the Word, meets in Walker Center 201 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. The Bethel Bible Series walks through the Old Testament (beginning in January) and the New Testament (beginning in July) for anyone wanting a comprehensive overview of Scripture.
Men's Ministry
The Men's Ministry offers Bible studies, social activities, small groups, and prayer gatherings. Two weekly Bible studies anchor the program:
- Mondays with Pastor Steve Heifner at 7:00 PM in the Walker Center fourth-floor Suites, also available on Zoom.
- Fridays with Pastor Todd Rainwater at 6:00 AM in the Walker Center fourth-floor Suites, also available on Zoom.
Both studies have a current syllabus available online, and men who want to get involved can fill out a form on the Men's Ministry page.
MP Women: Girlfriend Groups, Gatherings, and Grow Studies
MP Women aims to "empower women to reach their greatest potential." The ministry centers on Girlfriend Groups, small gatherings built around shared interests:
- Cultured Chicks explores faith and culture through Atlanta's music, arts, and food scene.
- Fit for the Father combines fitness goals with stretches, cardio, strength exercises, and healthy recipes.
- Helping Hearts serves alongside home missions projects, parks, senior homes, and the homeless.
- Seasoned Sisters connects women in a new life stage, whether through relocation or retirement.
- My Sisters Keeper nurtures spiritual support, sisterly love, and life milestones.
Annual gatherings include a Prayer Point, a Saturday Conference, and a Night of Inspiration featuring national authors, speakers, and musicians. Grow Studies are 8-session Bible studies; the current study walks through Galatians with Elizabeth Woodson. The MP Women's Conference "The Bridge" gathers women of every generation for a day of worship, teaching, and community. Contact mpwomen@mountparan.com to plug into any of the groups.
Marriage: 2 Becoming 1 and Married Ministry
The Marriage Ministry walks with couples in every season, from engaged to struggling to thriving. 2 Becoming 1 is a seven-week premarital course held in Walker Center 302, with sessions on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and a $100 per-couple fee. Church membership is not required. Married Ministry hosts luncheons and enrichment events, including a gathering after the 11:00 AM service in the Cafe Overflow room. Couples who want to hold their wedding at Mount Paran can email mpcare@mountparan.com for help reserving space.
Worship and Music Arts
The Worship Ministry states that it "strives to work together in unity to create music that leads people into the presence of God." Musical opportunities are available for all ages through choirs, ensembles, and bands, and the church runs an Academy of the Arts for music lessons. Members with musical gifts and a desire to serve are invited to join the worship team. A complete Worship Archive lives on the Vimeo channel, and rebroadcasts of the Sunday service are available through the church app and the live page.
Discipleship Now with Pastor David Cooper
Discipleship Now is a nine-part course taught by Pastor David Cooper for people who want to go deeper in their faith and find their place in the church. The course covers the fundamentals of the Christian faith, the practices of discipleship, and how to share faith with others. It is offered online through the Brushfire registration system.
Prayer, Care, and Counseling
The Prayer Ministry fields requests from individuals and runs the Prayer Tower, a dedicated space on campus for prayer and worship that is open during services and throughout the week. The Care Ministry walks alongside members during the hardest seasons. Bereavement support helps families plan and conduct funerals and memorial services. Hospital Visitation sends pastors and elders to those who are hospitalized. The Homebound Ministry connects volunteers with members who are confined to their homes. A Widows Ministry provides ongoing social connection for women of any age who have lost a spouse. Dr. Kent Hawkins leads Grace for Grief, a three-week series on understanding, handling, and moving beyond grief. MP Counseling provides pastoral counseling for individuals, couples, children, and teens, focused on relationships, healing from past trauma, and life skills, available to church members.
Baby Dedication and Baptism
Baby Dedication is offered several times a year, with check-in at 9:45 AM at the Baby Dedication Station by the Bookstore and the dedication itself at 10:15 AM in the Sanctuary. There is no dress code and no membership requirement. Baptism is offered to anyone who has made a personal profession of faith in Christ and is performed by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism Sundays are scheduled regularly throughout the year, and anyone interested can submit a form on the Baptism page.
Missions Around the World and Around Atlanta
Mount Paran supports more than thirty missionaries and ministry partners in roughly thirty nations. Global missions span Africa (Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania), Asia (India, Indonesia, Nepal, Siberia, the Golden Triangle, Thailand, the Middle East, Israel and the West Bank, Ukraine), and the Americas (Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico). Local outreach in metro Atlanta includes:
- City Takers: a hip-hop ministry led by Scott and Tami Ballauf that reaches the urban community, prisons, public schools, and trafficked women's facilities, and supports a church plant on the west side.
- Clarkston refugee ministry: led by Pastor Ehsan Azarang, with worship, kids ministry, ESL support, relational evangelism, and outdoor outreach at the Stone Memorial church plant.
- East Point ministry: led by Pastors John and Desiree Watkins, with Parklane Elementary partnerships, food support, and a Bible study at a local housing complex.
- Kid's Block Party and Apartment Outreach: neighborhood parties with games, food, and an outdoor worship service.
- Prison Ministry: Bible study and prayer for Fulton County inmates.
- Food Ministry: packing and delivering food on the second Saturday of each month, plus weekend food support for kids at four metro area schools.
- Special Events: backpack and school supply drives, the Christmas outreach, and the spring missions conference.
Short-term mission trips in the current season include a women's team to Honduras partnering with missionaries Michael and Karen Vincent at a home for girls recovering from abuse, and a team to Tanzania leading a sports and games-based VBS among the Sonjo people.
Serving on a Team
Volunteers serve through the Connections Ministry (Welcome, Usher, Guest Services, Prayer, and Shuttle teams), the Family Ministry, the Worship Ministry, and the Missions Ministry. Background clearance is required for any volunteer working with children.
Ways to Give
Members can give online through the church app, by mailing a check to the church address, by texting GIVE to 404.476.5576, during the Sunday services at the giving kiosks, or through gifts of stock, bonds, property, and charitable bequests. Year-end statements are provided to all contributors.
Staying Connected Throughout the Week
The Mount Paran app, available on the App Store and Google Play, carries photos, podcasts, sermon notes, giving, and the live service. The Dig Deep with Pastor David Cooper podcast releases a new Bible study every Wednesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Text MPFAMILY to 833-526-5061 to receive text updates. Weekly sermon notes are posted online before each Sunday service, and the church writes to its email list with updates and event news. The church is active on Facebook (@MountParan), Instagram (@mountparanchurch), YouTube (@MountParanChurch), X (@mountparan), and Vimeo (Worship Archive).
Newcomers, Membership, and the Next Step
Anyone visiting Mount Paran for the first time is welcomed through the I'm New Here page, where they can share a decision to follow Christ, request connection, or ask questions about faith and salvation. New Member Sundays are scheduled several times a year, with member classes held on campus at 10:00 AM. The Membership Ministry defines membership as a commitment to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, a strong community that loves one another, and a life of service in the church and the world.
Mount Paran Church of God gathers every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening in northwest Atlanta, supports missionaries on multiple continents, and runs ministries for every stage of life from the nursery through MPower Adults. The church's mission, repeated on every page, is to give the world hope in Christ.