A Letter from Rob
I'm so excited that it's August. This month has truly become one of my favorites around NMC! For many families, it marks a return to rhythm after the summer craziness, and we start to see so many coming back to church. We also get to meet a number of first-time guests, some of whom are brand new to the area. If that's you, I want to say from the bottom of my heart: WELCOME HOME!
As we step into this new season, I want to invite you to consider this question: What might God be calling you to say "yes" to this fall? With so many things on our schedules, sometimes the important is overtaken by the urgent.
If you're not in a Community Group, I'd love for you to consider joining us for a new experience called Group Launch. It's a 9-week small-group experience where you'll dig into the Bible, pray and serve together, and build real friendships along the way. No matter where you are on your faith journey, it's a great next step. It kicks off at the end of September on Sunday afternoons, so you've got plenty of time to add it to your calendar.
Whatever God is calling you to, I pray that it's rooted in intentional biblical community that will support you as you continue to follow Jesus.
Rob McDowell Lead Pastor
UPCOMING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
BIBLICAL ENCOUNTER TOUR: ITALY
OCTOBER 5-12
Over the last few years, North Metro Church has had the joy of partnering with Faith-Based Expeditions to lead biblical encounter tours to Israel and Greece. This year, our Lead Pastor, Rob McDowell, will guide a group on a remarkable journey through Italy. Together, you’ll freshly experience the richness of Scripture as you walk in the physical and spiritual footsteps of Paul and the Apostles. To learn more about this unforgettable trip, visit northmetro.org/events.
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 | 6:00-9:00PM
You are invited to join us at our Sewell Mill location for both a dinner and a dessert food truck. We will also be hosting some games and providing some outdoor seating for the whole family. This is a great opportunity to invite your local friends and neighbors to introduce them to your church family.
WOMEN'S GATHERING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 | 7:00-9:00PM MAN CHURCH
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 | 7:00-9:00PM
Life is busy. Here's an invitation to slow down for a few hours, enjoy great company with like-minded believers, and break bread together. Here's an invitation to be inspired and equipped to live the life Jesus has called us to. Say yes and join us—you'll be refreshed and ready for whatever else is on your calendar.
Mark your calendars, men! Man Church is coming, and you won’t want to miss it. We’re gearing up for a powerful night of worship, community, and encouragement designed to strengthen and equip every man in our church. We can promise an evening that will challenge your faith and build meaningful connections.
Beth Guckenberger will join the ladies as our guest speaker for the Women’s Gathering. Beth is a storyteller at heart. With over two
decades of missionary work, 11 children, and 16 books to her name, she lives at the intersection of deep-rooted faith and wild obedience.
Mark your calendars for Women's Gathering on Tuesday, September 1, and Man Church on Tuesday, September 15, from 7:00-9:00pm at the Barrett Campus. Doors open at 6:45pm, and worship begins at 7:00pm. Registration for each event is $10 and includes light snacks and refreshments. Gather your friends and register by visiting northmetro.org/events.
WOMEN’S DINNER
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 | 6:00-9:00PM
The women of Sewell Mill will be hosting a lovely dinner. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family who do not have a church home and are looking to connect. It‘s also a great chance to get to know more of the many amazing women at Sewell Mill.
MEN’S GRILL-OFF
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 | 6:00-8:00PM
The men of Sewell Mill will be grilling meat in a battle royale competition to see who truly wears the crown and holds the title, “Grill GOAT.” This is another opportunity for the men of Sewell Mill to both connect to other men at Sewell Mill and invite their friends and neighbors.
MOVIE ON THE LOT
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 | 7:30-9:30PM
We will be showing a movie on a big screen in the parking lot of our Sewell Mill campus. Seating and snacks will be provided.
FALL FESTIVAL
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 | 10:00AM-1:00PM
We will be hosting our third annual Fall Festival. This event will feature jumpies, food, face-painting, pumpkin decorating, and the opportunity to meet a lot of great people.
NMC KIDS
NMC KIDS | THURSDAY NIGHT CHURCH
We're excited to share that Thursday Night Church in NMC Kids has officially launched! This new service mirrors the same engaging and high-energy experience kids enjoy on Sunday mornings, creating another opportunity for them to learn biblical truth in a fun, age-appropriate environment.
Each week, kids experience dynamic teaching, worship, games, and small group time designed to help them grow in their faith and build meaningful relationships. Our goal is to partner with families by providing an additional option that fits busy schedules while still giving kids a place where they can have a blast and encounter Jesus. We'd love for your family to join us on Thursday nights!
POP UP WEEKEND
JULY 30 & AUGUST 2
It's time to POP up to the next class!
As we begin a new church year, children ages 2 through elementary school will be promoted to their new NMC Kids classrooms. Preschoolers will move up based on age, and elementary students will move up according to the grade they'll be entering this school year.
To help celebrate this exciting milestone, we'll have popcorn for everyone to enjoy and a photo booth where you can snap a fun picture with your child to remember the day!
If you have any questions about your child's new classroom, please contact Aubree at ajohnson@northmetro.org.
BABY DEDICATION
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS
CLASS | SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 | 10:00-11:00AM
DEDICATION | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 10:00AM
BARRETT CAMPUS
CLASS | SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 | 9:15-10:00AM
DEDICATION | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 | 3:00PM
The Baby Dedication Class will prepare you to participate in our next Baby Dedication Service, which will be on Sunday, October 25, at 3:00pm, at our Barrett Campus and on Sunday, November 8, during service at our Sewell Mill Campus. This family-friendly service is an intentional environment, with the message and worship focused on the celebration of life and your child's dedication to God’s teaching and instruction. If you want more information on dedicating your child or signing up, visit northmetro.org/events.
ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 | 9:15-10:00AM
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 | 10:00-11:00AM
If your elementary-aged child has already taken the step of salvation, this class is the perfect next step. This 45-minute class is designed for you and your child to attend together. For more information on the baptism process, visit northmetro.org/events.
FAMILY NIGHT OUT
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
SPARKLES FAMILY FUN CENTER – KENNESAW | 6:00-8:00PM
Bring the whole family and join us for Family Night Out! We've rented out Sparkles Family Fun Center in Kennesaw exclusively for NMC families from both campuses for an evening of fun, laughter, and connection. This is a great opportunity for kids to make new friends and for parents to get to know other families from NMC. Enjoy skating, laser tag, the playground, arcade games, and more—all surrounded by your church community!
Families with children of all ages are welcome. Please note: this is a family event, so all children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the evening. We'll provide the fun—you provide the supervision! Reserve your family's spot today at northmetro.org/events.
NMC KIDS TABLE TALKER
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER DISCIPLESHIP TOOL
The NMC Kids Table Talker is back! This is a discipleship tool designed by the NMC Kids team to equip families to connect
around the table intentionally. The activities and devotions you'll find in the table talker come from the Gospel Project curriculum that we use in the classrooms. This means you can connect what you do at home with what your kids do in the classroom. But it's not all curriculum; you'll also find silly games, get-to-know-you questions, and family challenges. You are your child's first teacher and the first person to disciple your child. We hope the NMC Kids Table Talker is just the tool you need to take your family relationships to the next level. Grab yours today in NMC Kids.
NMC STUDENTS
MIDDLE SCHOOL MORNINGS
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAYS | 9:15AM & 11:00AM
Every Sunday morning, 6th–8th grade students are invited upstairs to the Student HQ (SHQ) at 9:15am and 11:00am for Bible study and community. Looking ahead, August 2 is our Promotion Sunday! On this day, students will be promoted in our system to reflect the grade they are entering for the 2026–2027 school year.
COMPASS | PROMOTION SUNDAY
BARRETT & SEWELL MILL CAMPUS | AUGUST 2, 6:00PM
Calling all students in grades 6 through 12! Compass is officially back, and we are ready to kick off the new school year with a bang. Join us at 6:00pm for an incredible night with dinner, awesome worship, and an impactful group time to connect with friends and leaders. This is the perfect time to plug in, grow in your faith, and find community. Don't miss out on the start of an amazing year!
NMC STUDENTS BAPTISM CLASS
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 | 11:00-11:30AM
Parents, if your student is considering baptism, we’d love to partner with you in this exciting step of faith. During the second service on Sunday, September 6, we’re offering a baptism class specifically designed for students. In this class, they’ll learn what baptism means, why it matters, and how to share their story of faith. You can sign your student up at northmetro.org/events.
NMC COLLEGE
TRELLIS
BARRETT CAMPUS | TUESDAYS | 7:00PM
Looking for community, connection, and a place to grow your faith? If you’re between the ages of 18 and 23, join NMC College every Tuesday night starting August 18 for our weekly environment, Trellis. Trellis is a place designed to help you connect with others and pursue the Lord together. Plus, dinner is on us!
Mobilization
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Monthly Serving Opportunities
At NMC, our vision is to "Be Missed" in our community and around the world by making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. There are many ways to get involved. You can serve at a monthly City Serve event, help provide meals, care for women and children in a tiny home community, build chicken coops for refugee families, or join a serve team centered around a shared passion.
If your Community Group or Connection Group is looking for an opportunity to serve together, we'd love to help you get connected. For those seeking a more ongoing commitment, a variety of Serve Teams provide opportunities to be intentionally involved throughout the year.
At the Barrett Campus, stop by the Mobilization Center before or after services to learn more about how you can serve.
MEMBER CARE AND SUPPORT SERVE TEAM
CITY SERVE OPPORTUNITIES
We have exciting news! We will now have City Serve opportunities every month on the second Saturday of the month. City Serve is how North Metro Church lives out our vision to “Be Missed” by serving and loving our local community in practical ways. Through partnerships and serving opportunities, we help people find and follow Jesus by meeting needs, building relationships, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Join us on Saturday, August 8, and during the week of Cobb County's Fall Break, we will have a variety of different options throughout the week. Sign up at northmetro.org/events.
SCHOOL SERVE TEAM
This team supports local schools, teachers, staff, and students through practical acts of encouragement and service. From providing meals and treats to helping with special events, this team offers flexible opportunities to serve when your schedule allows and make a meaningful impact in our community. Sign up to join this team on northmetro.org/serve
This team serves foster and adoptive families at North Metro Church through practical care and encouragement. Team members receive periodic emails with opportunities to help with meals, lawn care, childcare, transportation, and other needs as they arise. You can choose the opportunities that fit your schedule and availability. Sign up to join this team on northmetro.org/serve
MISSIONARY CARE SERVE TEAM
Do you have a heart for encouraging and caring for missionaries? Join our Missionary Care Serve Team! This is a great opportunity to stay connected with the missionaries NMC supports, learn how to pray for them well, and care for them in practical ways throughout the year. From sending encouragement to helping meet tangible needs, you can play a meaningful role in supporting those who are sharing the Gospel around the world. Sign up at northmetro.org/serve
ENGAGE WITH OUR PARTNERS
TABLE ON DELK AWARENESS DINNER
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, | 6:00–8:00PM
Join us to learn more about one of our local ministry partners, Table on Delk. This special evening will highlight how they bring hope, restoration, and practical support to women experiencing exploitation and other vulnerable situations in our community. You'll hear powerful stories, gain a better understanding of their ministry, and discover ways you can pray, serve, or get involved. This is an educational awareness event and is open to anyone interested in learning more.
Ready to register? Head over to thetableondelk2026.eventbrite.com
SERVE WITH WAYMARK FOSTER
Waymark Foster is one of our local ministry partners dedicated to supporting foster children, youth, and families in our community. This August, there are two great ways to get involved. Attend or showcase your vehicle at the Wheels for Hope Car Show on Saturday, August 29, or volunteer at Xtreme Journey on Saturday, August 22, hosted at North Metro Church. Xtreme Journey equips teens in foster care with practical life skills, career exploration, and encouragement while also providing trauma-informed training for adults. Volunteers are needed for registration, lunch, photography, and other event support. Whether you attend or serve, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of local foster youth.
Sign up at northmetro.org/serve
Upcoming trips to
PANAJACHEL, GUATEMALA
We have three other upcoming trips going to serve with Casa Del Redentor in Guatemala.
December 6-12, 2026
Application Deadline is September 6.
February 14-20, 2027
Application Deadline is November 3.
April 4-10, 2027
Application Deadline is January 3.
If you are interested in learning more about our upcoming trips to Guatemala, please join us for a short interest meeting on Sunday, August 23, at 10:30am, in room 101 at the Barrett Campus.
We will also be having a Guatemala Celebration Lunch on Sunday, October 18
Sign up for either at northmetro.org/events.
Ivan Mijango Casa del Redentor Director
An update from Ivan Mijango. Casa del Redentor (Redeemer's House), is North Metro Church's international ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala.
A House in Three Days
This year, during our mission team visits, we've had the opportunity to do things we hadn't done in several years. In many ways, it has felt like going back to the early days of Casa del Redentor, and that has been very special. We've been able to visit families in their homes again, deliver food to those in need, and come alongside people facing very specific challenges.
In June, we welcomed NMC's first all-men mission team. Originally, the purpose of this trip was to help a family we met earlier this year whose living conditions were extremely difficult. We hoped to improve their home, but because of the location of the property and some legal limitations, we were unable to move forward with that project.
If you have ever visited Casa del Redentor, you are probably familiar with Calle La Navidad, the neighborhood where our ministry base is located in Panajachel. Every time you walk toward our campus, you pass a small house that seems completely out of place among the larger, colorful concrete homes surrounding it.
As we were preparing for this mission trip, we visited Estafany, a mother of two young girls. One of her daughters has cerebral palsy and significant mobility challenges. We asked if there was anything we could do to help with her home. Even from the outside, it was obvious that the house had been built with whatever materials were available, and honestly, we couldn't understand how it was still standing. With great humility, Estafany told us that all she really needed was a rain gutter to keep water from leaking into the house during the rainy season.
A few days later, after realizing our original construction project would not
be possible, we returned to visit her. This time she invited us inside. As we stepped into the kitchen, we immediately realized how serious the situation really was. The wooden structure was rotting, the concrete floor was uneven and full of holes, and the entire home was incredibly small—not much larger than the average living room in many homes. It was hard to imagine a family of four trying to live in such a limited space.
Moments like these remind me how faithfully God directs our steps. Suddenly everything became clear. We knew this was the place where we were going to build a new home. When we asked the family if they would accept such a gift, they broke down in tears and simply said, "Yes."
Over the first three days of the mission week, God used the hands of our team to completely transform their home. Together, we built a brand-new house, remodeled their bathroom, and provided new beds for the girls so they would have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. In just three days, a family that had been living in an unsafe house received a place they could truly call home.
And God wasn't finished yet.
Thanks to the generosity of NMC, we were able not only to build a new home for Estafany's family, but also to bless the first family we had originally planned to help. Although we couldn't build their house during this trip, we were able to provide enough construction materials for them to begin building it themselves little by little. We also replaced their old wood-burning stove with a safer, better-equipped cooking stove, giving them a healthier and more functional place to prepare meals.
This mission trip left a lasting impact—not only on these two families, who now have safer and more dignified places to live, but also on everyone who had the privilege of serving. More importantly, these families experienced in a very tangible way that they are deeply loved—first by God, and also by their brothers and sisters from NMC.
In addition, our friends from the ministry Busquemos a Dios Juntos donated 162 bags of groceries, which we were able to distribute to families throughout the communities we serve. Before the trip came to an end, we also installed a new kitchen window for a family in Xecotoj who simply did not have the resources to do it themselves, making their home safer and more secure.
To every member of this mission team, thank you. Thank you for your willingness to serve, for your sacrifice, and for the love you showed by driving every nail, tightening every screw, laying every block, and caring for this family as if they were your own. Every act of service became a reminder of God's love in a very practical way.
Thank you as well to each of you who faithfully prays for this ministry. Your prayers, generosity, and encouragement make stories like this possible. Together, we continue helping people in Guatemala find and follow Jesus.
Perhaps God is already preparing the next story of hope—and maybe He is inviting you to be part of it. If you have ever considered joining a mission trip, I encourage you to take a look at the dates for our upcoming teams. We would be honored to welcome you to Guatemala and serve alongside you. Our doors—and our hearts—are always open.
Thank you for being part of what God is doing in Guatemala.
We get to partner with Casa del Redentor to help people find and follow Jesus in Guatemala because of your obedience in giving. To get involved, you can go to northmetro.org/serve.
I'm a more peaceful person because of Re:gen.
Curious about Re:generation?
Read what other people have to say and consider taking a deep dive in your relationship with God this year. As summer ends and we get into healthy rhythms again, we encourage you to prioritize your spiritual health this year. Everyone has room to grow!
Join us at 7:00pm on Wednesday, August 12 as we kick off new groups in Re:generation!
RE:GENERATION BARRETT CAMPUS
Wednesdays | 7:00pm
Navigating day-to-day life can be challenging. Whether you find yourself wrestling with anxiety, stuck in hopelessness, uncertain how to break an addiction, feeling lost, or ruled by pride, anger, or fear, you are not alone. We all have struggles to overcome, and we all experience brokenness. But the good news is that we have a God who loves us so much and desires to help us find healing and freedom! God has a plan for you, and through His Word, He offers us a path to find new life in Christ.
Re:generation equips us with tools to live the way God has called us to live in meaningful fellowship with Him and others. Change is possible! In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” We invite you to experience the abundant life that Jesus desires for you. Join us at the Barrett Campus on any Wednesday at 7:00pm in the Theater. Learn more at northmetro.org/regeneration.
PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
I thought I had already uncovered most of my past, but what surprised me the most was how Step 8, Forgive, and Step 9, Amends, would completely change the way I view my relationships. Forgiveness became freedom for me. And making amends became an act of obedience—what we are called to do as followers of Christ: to love others just as Christ has first loved us.
I learned to trust God a lot more and surrender more of my life to His will. The increased trust has given me a measure of peace and confidence to see that God is changing me. I have greater courage to step out of my comfort zone and follow God's will.
I learned the true meaning of forgiveness!!
More self-awareness. More God Awareness. More Freedom. More transparency. Improved family relationships. Greater desire to grow spiritually. More consistent spiritual disciplines.
Re:gen has given me a closer walk with the Lord and to recognize sin that I was previously comfortable overlooking.
These steps shifted the way I live out my everyday relationships— owning my mistakes, asking for forgiveness, and reconciling when needed.
I’ve learned a lot about how pride has been such a huge part of my past persona. It tried to creep up on me periodically, and the Re:gen tools have been most influential in identifying when that starts to happen and getting me reset to the more humbled servant God wants me to be.
Wednesday night worship and teaching is powerful. I want it and need it. I look forward to the small group time. Doing the work just like ones in Step group kept me focused on the freedom, allowed me to see the change within myself from the previous year. I like who I’ve become through the power of the Holy Spirit.
BARRETT CAMPUS (CENTRAL CAMPUS)
2305 Ernest Barrett Pkwy • Marietta, GA 30064
Service Times: Thursdays at 7:00pm | Sundays at 9:15am & 11:00am
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS
2550 Sewell Mill Road • Marietta, GA 30062
Service Time: Sundays at 10:00am info@northmetro.org • 678.290.7830 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 • 7:00 PM
YTD June 2026
Income: 9,355,567.63 Expense: 7,416,596.83 Over(under): 1,938,970.80
