HOSCHTON — New Community Church in Hoschton hasn’t been in its building on Ga. 53 for a year yet, but it is already seeing swells in Sunday attendance and planning for future growth.

Pastor Chris Hoffman said the church has become one of the fastest-growing churches in Jackson County, keeping pace with Galilee Christian Church in Jefferson and Zion Baptist Church in Braselton — Jackson’s two other largest churches.

The congregation at New Community was 411 people strong on a recent Sunday, and Hoffman said the church could grow to 600 by Jan. 1 and possibly increase to 800 or 1,000 by next fall.

"We’ve grown every week this summer with the exception of the Fourth of July," he said. "We’re in a constant state of restructuring and figuring out how we can continue to invite people."

Hoffman attributes the increase in part to the atmosphere the church staff creates, which he describes as a safe environment.

"It’s just a safe place to show up and worship," he explained. "When people come ... they’re not going to get run out of the room for having a different world view at that moment. Not only are you welcome here, but you’re safe here."

He also said the church’s involvement in community events, such as providing refreshments for the Movies Under the Stars series in Braselton, spreads the word about the church and draws more people.

"All the things we pour into the community, people show up here and that helps us to grow," he said.

To manage the ever-growing congregation, the church staff is hoping to start offering a second Sunday service in October and will continue to use the current facility, which can hold about 450 people during a service, until they can find a larger space.

Funding also can be an issue growing churches face, and New Community is no exception.

"Having to move forward and fund a ministry in a recession is a challenge. There’s no additional money coming in," Hoffman said. "And a lot of local churches send their benevolent needs to us because they assume because of our size we have more resources."

But the church is finding ways to survive and even give back to people in the Hoschton area, such as starting a clothes closet for people who need clothes for a job interview or kids who need clothes for school.

"We feel like people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and we feel like God has positioned us to offer that," Hoffman said.