Buford church gets new name, fresh mission - Gainesville Times

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Buford church gets new name, fresh mission

New Bethany Baptist changes identity in outreach to community

Co-pastors Joey Jernigan, left, and Ron Cansler are pictured inside the original sanctuary of New Bethany Baptist Church in Buford. Effective Aug. 12, church will be known as Lanier Islands Community Church. - photo by BRANDEE A. THOMAS

0721Church1 — Co-pastors Joey Jernigan, left, and Ron Cansler are pictured inside the original sanctuary of New Bethany Baptist Church in Buford. Effective Aug. 12, church will be known as Lanier Islands Community Church. - photo by BRANDEE A. THOMAS

On Aug. 5, attendees will worship for the last time at New Bethany Baptist Church. After 137 years, the church on Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford is calling it quits. Well, sort of.