The Gathering in the Mountains

What kind of church is it?

The Gathering in the Mountains is a church for the Jonathan Creek community and for others who would like to minister through this congregation. We center the church on the teachings of the Holy Bible. We try to remove any traditions or barriers that might keep a person from considering Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We try to not duplicate any of the other churches in the Jonathan Creek area.

When and where do you meet?

There is a Bible Discussion Group on Wednesday evenings at 6:45.  This group is led by Rev. Robert T. Cooper (Robert's Bio). If this time does not meet your needs, go to the "Contact Us" page and e-mail:

                                                        Rev. Robert T. Cooper.

Sunday morning services are at 11:00 a.m. From the very first service, the congregation has lingered until 12:30 or later, just to enjoy one another's company. We hope you will not rush off either.

The Bible Discussion Group and Sunday morning service meet at:

                                                        The Gathering Place

                                                        36 Grindstone Road

                                                      Waynesville, NC 28785

                                       Click here to find how to get to us: Mapquest

What should I wear?

Dress casually and comfortably. We have had some people who came from work, and still have some on their way to work. If you wear a tie or a "Sunday Go to Meeting Dress," you will probably feel overdressed (but our people will love and accept you anyway).

What is our Mission Statement?

Our Mission is to form groups in which we can relate to God and to each other, resulting in personal growth and in caring for one another.

What is our Vision Statement?

We are absolutely committed to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to His written Word as the source of our vision and focus.  Therefore:

• We truly listen to God and to one another.  We commit to a regular Gathering of the Ministers to report on what we have heard God say, and listen to one another.

• We commit to personal spiritual growth and to help one another grow.  We commit to truly care for others, whether or not the participate with The Gathering in the Mountains.  We affirm those who find they must miss meetings in order to carry out these commitments.

• We commit to reach others.  If God has His way with us, we will find ourselves in the center of continuing spiritual awakening in Haywood County, and beyond.

What are our Core Values? 

The Gathering in the Mountains  values all its members as Ministers (servants of the Lord Jesus Christ through His local church).                                                             

• The Gathering in the Mountains seeks to reach those people other churches in the area have had difficulty reaching, particularly those who have dropped out of church for whatever reason.
• It is vital for Ministers to be committed to personal spiritual growth and to keep their commitment to participate in the tri-weekly Gathering of the Ministers.
• We are becoming a people of faith, following God's promptings in caring for one another, in reaching out to others, and in all other areas of life.  Individuals learn to respond to God's promptings,  Corporately, we seek virtual unanimity at the Gathering of the Ministers, and then act on the basis of God's promptings to us as a group.
• Our foundational activity is reaching others, which results in an expanding organization (including new congregations).  Our core strategy is evangelistic Bible Discussion Groups that reach (prior) relationships and those discovered through house-to-house canvassing.
• Worship is participatory and directed to God.  Worship consists primarily of congregational music, corporate Scripture readings, and corporate prayers.  Messages are as participatory as possible.
• All Ministers are holy, serving as missionaries, intercessors, evangelists, and disciples.  Ministers serve on Ministry-Evangelism teams with and Equipper (Ephesians 4:11-12).

We express unity with other ministries in the area
in part by praying for those ministries and their leaders.

Youth for Christ of Haywood County
with its executive director, Hugh Constance, Jr.

Bible Clubs of Haywood County
with its directors, Charles and Barbara Baiera

Greater Maggie Valley Natural Disaster Relief Team
with its director, Erma Bond