The latest event in a growing movement of unity between churches of many different denominations on Atlanta's south side, coming together under the banner of "our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," was held at the Atlanta Christian Center in Fairburn last Sunday.

"It was absolutely phenomenal," said Atlanta Christian Center's pastor Rick Snow. "It was a packed house, and Rev. Eddie Thomas knocked the ball out of the park."

Thomas, pastor of Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville, centered his message on Jesus Christ as the only focus of unity, "The Man in the Middle," referring to Jesus being crucified between two criminals.

"He had us on our feet," said the Rev. John Hatcher, pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville who has been instrumental in getting the unity movement going strong in this area.

The Rev. David Epps of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Peachtree City led the congregation in prayer, and Gray Harwell of Cherith Ministries introduced all the attending pastors and their wives. The Atlanta Christian Center led praise and worship with a praise team, orchestra, youth choir and a presentation by the center's "Speechless" Mime Ministry.

About $1,500 in offerings collected from the 400-500 people present at the service will be used to support the inner-city work of the Rev. Leroy Barber of the Urban Education for Atlanta Youth Academy.

Hatcher said the hosts, Atlanta Christian Center, went "out of their way" to show hospitality to the other churches, even hosting the pastors and wives for fellowship after the service. He noted it was also an opportunity to see the center's new sanctuary, which was completed earlier this summer.