The Story and Mission of Gate City Church: A Beacon of 24/7 Prayer and Revival
Welcome to Gate City Church! We’re so glad you’ve taken the time to learn more about who we are and the journey that brought us together. As you read our story, we hope you’ll catch a glimpse of the heart and mission that drive everything we do.
Gate City Church is more than just a place of worship; it’s a spiritual family, born out of a remarkable journey of faith and obedience. Our story begins with two congregations from different backgrounds—one led by Billy Humphrey, a House of Prayer pastor, and the other by Dustin Pennington, a pastor rooted in the Pentecostal and Baptist traditions. On the surface, we seemed like two very different ministries, but God had a unique plan to unite us into one church with a powerful mission.
In 2014, Dustin felt a clear directive from God to "kill the church" he was leading—not in a literal sense, but to let go of what was familiar and comfortable to make way for something new. This call was challenging and required great faith, but it was the first step in bringing our two congregations together. Billy and Dustin began meeting regularly, along with other local pastors, to pray and seek God’s direction. Over time, it became clear that God was leading them to merge their congregations into one unified body.
In April 2018, after much prayer and confirmation, we officially merged our congregations, combining our strengths, our people, and our resources to form what is now Gate City Church. From the beginning, our mission has been clear: to create a church that is centered on continuous worship and prayer, where the presence of God is prioritized above all else.
At Gate City Church, we believe that prayer is not just an activity, but the very heartbeat of our community. We are committed to 24/7 worship and prayer, creating a space where heaven touches earth and lives are transformed by the presence of God. This commitment is at the core of who we are. Whether it’s 2:00 AM or 2:00 PM, our prayer room is always open, filled with worship and intercession, as we seek God’s heart for our city and the world.
But our mission doesn’t stop at prayer. We’re also deeply committed to discipleship and outreach. Our church is built around three key pillars: Altar, Table, and Road. The Altar represents our commitment to prayer and worship. The Table symbolizes our dedication to fellowship, teaching, and discipleship, where we grow together as a spiritual family. The Road signifies our mission to take the gospel from our neighborhoods to the nations, engaging in outreach and evangelism both locally and globally.
We see ourselves as a "beachhead for revival," a place where God is preparing to pour out His Spirit in powerful ways. Our vision is to plant more Gate City Churches across Atlanta, each one rooted in night and day prayer, and to see revival break out across our city and beyond. We believe that God has called us to break down barriers—denominational, racial, and cultural—and to be a unified body that reflects the diversity and beauty of His kingdom.
As you consider becoming part of Gate City Church, we want you to know that there is a place for you here. Whether you’re passionate about prayer, discipleship, or outreach, your gifts and calling are needed and valued in our community. We are a family on a mission, and we believe that God has incredible things in store for all of us as we pursue Him together.
Thank you for taking the time to discover our story. We invite you to join us on this journey of faith, as we seek to know God more deeply and to make Him known in our city and around the world.
With love and anticipation,
GateCity Leadership Team