ABOUT US

How to find us

We are located on the corner of Macon Road and University Avenue. Our street address is 3617 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907.

Take Exit 6 off of I-185 onto Macon Road heading east (away from town). Go to the third stoplight (intersection of University Avenue). We are on the corner.

If coming from Columbus State University Campus, just go south on University Avenue. We are an easy walk from the campus!

How to contact us

Call the church office at 706-561-5137. Email us at echurch@bellsouth.net.

Our Pastor

Our pastor is Paul A. Coats. Pastor Paul is an energetic and creative spiritual leader with a warm and winsome personality. His leadership philosophy centers on a team-based approach to ministry with a strong emphasis on relationship building that empowers others to unleash their ministry potential. He has served as Pastor of Edgewood Presbyterian Church (EPC) since October, 2004.

Since coming to EPC, he has promoted a new and dynamic small group ministry called LIFE Groups. These groups meet weekly for Bible study, fellowship, and spiritual growth in people’s homes. They provide a unique opportunity to grow closer to Christ and one another even as they reach out to make new disciples.

Pastor Paul is passionate about his love for Jesus Christ preaching sermons that are biblical, easy to understand, and relevant to daily life. His children’s sermons are like modern-day parables that are fun and clear in their meaning and sometimes employ magic while demonstrating a deep love for God, children, and people of all ages.

After receiving Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Pastor Paul attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago where he received his Masters of Divinity in 1990. He has served churches in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio prior to coming Georgia with his wife, Ellen (who teaches high school French in Alabama), and their two children, Emily and David.

In his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, composing music, writing children’s stories, bicycling, rollerblading, gardening, meeting new people, and visiting with friends.

You can reach Pastor Paul by calling the church at 706-561-5137.

Our Logos

trees logo The logo for EPC is a simple, yet powerful, expression of our faith depicted in the two trees God once placed in the center of the Garden of Eden. The dark Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil reminds us of our sinful nature that leads to spiritual death and separation from God. The light Tree of Life reminds us of God’s offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Each of us is called to choose between what is most important to us and what is most important to God. Our logo is a constant reminder of our commitment as a church to help others choose a life lived for God through Jesus Christ over a life lived for oneself.

fish outline logo The letters EPC hold a dual meaning for our passionate fellowship of believers located in Columbus, Georgia. They stand for Edgewood Presbyterian Church, but they also stand for the principle that guides our life and work together as Christians—namely, where Every Person Counts. Everything we say and do as a church springs from our commitment of Making Disciples where Every Person Counts. The EPC mission logo blends the earliest Christian symbol of a fish (icthus in Greek—an acrostic meaning Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior) with our mission statement.

On Being Presbyterian

Presbyterians have been around since the 1500’s when the Protestant Reformation took place. Stick around us long enough and you will hear someone use the phrase that we are “reformed and reforming Christians.” That means that as time passes and our understanding of how the Word of God applies to today and how we as Christians can better serve Jesus in our day and time, we are able to continually grow into the messages and missions God sends to us. Here are two links to the Presbyterian Church (USA) web site that give you an overview of who we are.
http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-whoare.htm
http://www.pcusa.org/101/

A Brief History of Edgewood Presbyterian Church

Edgewood Presbyterian Church was established as an outreach of Columbus’ First Presbyterian Church. In the late 1940’s and early ‘50’s, there was no Presbyterian church in east Columbus while at the same time the area known as Edgewood along the Macon Road corridor was experiencing rapid residential growth. In 1950, property on the northwest corner of Macon Road and Cody Road (later renamed University Avenue) was purchased by First Church and soon construction began. Reverend William Bourne Clemmons, the man designated to be Edgewood’s first minister, visited many people in the area for months before the first building was completed. His efforts were rewarded when 56 worshippers arrived for his first sermon in May 1951. That Sunday he preached on Man’s Chief End is to Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever.

It took almost another year, but Edgewood Presbyterian Church was officially chartered on March 30, 1952. Later, a second building was added to serve as a sanctuary and still later (1975) the current sanctuary was built. In the 55 years since EPC was chartered, there has been great change to the area around us and around the world. Through it all, Edgewood Presbyterian Church has continued to spread the Good News of the Gospel at home and abroad through its missions programs. No matter where in the world you are, please know that you are who we are speaking of when we say we are, “EPC Where Every Person Counts.”

Our Small Group Ministry

At EPC we have a small group ministry for all. Our seniors get together in a group called the Lively Ones. We have a women’s circle. We have Sunday School classes for all ages. And two years ago we began a Life Group ministry. Life groups are small groups of less than 12 people who meet on a weekly basis and share in fellowship, study, and prayer. For example, we currently have a mature women’s group, a group for couples parenting young children, a group for couples and singles who are parents of adult children, a group for couples and singles who have no children, and a women’s group of all ages and various walks of life. The groups discuss and study books of their choice including the Bible. A meaningful prayer time gives the opportunity to encourage and support others in life’s joys and trials. Groups also meet on a social basis in various settings.

There is surely a place for you in these small group ministries where we grow in Christ together and build meaningful relationships.

Fellowship Opportunities

As you will see in many places throughout this web site, there are countless ways that EPC members worship God, study His word, and learn more about our faith. But there are a number of times that we get together just for plain old fun, fellowship, getting to know one another better, and enjoying each other’s company. Several are regularly scheduled events.

Every other month we have a covered dish lunch after church called SAC – Sunday After Church. If you happen to visit on one of these Sundays, please stay for lunch and give us the opportunity to get to know you. We promise there will be lots of great food!
Every Sunday when Sunday After Church isn’t scheduled, members and guests have the opportunity to meet at a designated restaurant after church for food (Dutch Treat) and fellowship. If you are visiting and want to come with us, just sign the pad out in the narthex so we can include you in our reservations, and come have lunch with us!
An ice cream social follows the annual bell choir patriotic program. Many people bring homemade ice cream. This inspirational event is always scheduled in June or July close to the 4th.
A weekend Congregational Camp is held at Roosevelt State Park either in the spring or fall of each year. We “rough it” in the cabins up there and enjoy the opportunity to fellowship, learn, play, and worship together away from all the distractions of home and office.
An annual golf tournament tests the skills of our real golfers and provides a lot of laughs for our pretenders.
Twice a month a group of us meet to play bridge. We are always interested in having new players, so join us.
A monthly meeting of senior citizens, “The Lively Ones” includes a meal at a local restaurant and often some type of “field trip” that might be fishing in someone’s lake or driving to some nearby attraction.
Friday Night Adult Fellowship meets in members’ homes monthly. The hosts provide the entree and others bring covered dish sides and desserts.