In 2021, the congregation of First Baptist Church Helena was experiencing what their pastor at the time called a “slow bleed.” In three years’ time, they had declined from 170 in worship to 90, and they didn’t like that trend — they wanted to turn it around.

So in partnership with Valleydale Church, they decided to replant, which meant Valleydale would provide a fresh vision for the church, a new pastor and staff, and a team of volunteers to help.

And now The Church at Old Town, led by Lead Pastor Josh Knierim, runs about 400 on Sundays, packing out two services. Josh said he’s grateful for the help of partners like Valleydale as well as the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

“Brian Harper and the Alabama Baptist church planting group, they coached, they jumped in. Their preparation, their cohort — that was a huge help,” Josh said. “And through the church planting grants we were given, we were able to do a lot.”

Brian, who serves as lead church planting strategist for the SBOM, said the church is now “a community church that is blessing the community.”