First Baptist Church (Atlanta)

==History==
[[File:First Baptist Church, Atlanta, 1907.png|thumb|320x320px|The church building in 1907]]
The church was founded in 1848 in midtown [[Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref>Martin Sinderman, 
[https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2001/02/05/focus9.html First Baptist Church profits from relocating north], bizjournals.com, US, February 5, 2001</ref> 

[[Charles Stanley (pastor)|Charles Stanley]], joined the staff in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971.<ref>Buck Lanford, [https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/dr-charles-stanley-honored-for-50-years-of-ministry Dr. Charles Stanley honored for 50 years of ministry], fox5atlanta.com, US, October 7, 2019</ref><ref>Shelia Poole, [https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/atlanta-pastor-charles-stanley-life-principles-bible-hits-million-sold-mark/fqtbXw6L3QYsVvjT9AyQhK/ Atlanta Pastor Charles Stanley’s ‘Life Principles Bible’ hits 1 million mark], ajc.com, US, December 19, 2017</ref>

In the late 20th century, a commercial facility was purchased on Atlanta's Interstate 285 and the church relocated to the larger, more accessible property in [[DeKalb County, Georgia|Dekalb County]].<ref>Martin Sinderman, [https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2001/02/05/focus9.html First Baptist Church profits from relocating north], bizjournals.com, US, February 5, 2001</ref>  In 2006, the church inaugurated a new building.<ref>Atlas Piers of Atlanta, [https://www.atlaspiers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Atlas_newsletter_spring_2006.pdf Modern Renovation of First Baptist Church of Atlanta Worship Center], atlaspiers.com, p. 5, US, Spring/2006</ref>

In 2017, Anthony George was named as Stanley's successor.<ref>Shelia Poole, [https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/who-anthony-george-the-successor-for-atlanta-megachurch-pastor-charles-stanley/kiSiogevinOlV02wVZfDoJ/ Who is Anthony George, the successor for Atlanta megachurch pastor Charles Stanley?], ajc.com, US, December 13, 2017</ref>

On September 13, 2020, Stanley announced his transition to pastor emeritus after having been senior pastor of the church since 1971. <ref> Shelia Poole, 
[https://www.ajc.com/news/charles-stanley-steps-down-as-senior-pastor-at-first-baptist/DBQEOR7WVBF2BLEH2YLBE76UYE/ Charles Stanley steps down as senior pastor at First Baptist], ajc.com, USA, September 13, 2020 </ref>