Justin Craig, Lead Pastor | email Justin
My Story
I say I’m an Atlanta-native. I moved around all over the country in my early years and settled here in the 7th grade. I was exposed to Christianity from early on. But I didn’t get what being a Christian was all about until my college years. In my years at Georgia Tech, I got involved in a campus ministry and began to see that the Christian life was about a gift, not being religious (Eph 2:8-9). This ignited a passion in me. It was at Georgia Tech that I was mentored by some great guys and got some awesome leadership experience. I saw Georgia Tech as my world to impact in the name of Jesus Christ. By the time graduation came around, God had birth a desire to give my life to church ministry full time. But not church ministry way I grew up.
The Vinings Church story began 12 years ago. Through the guidance of a few mentors in early 1999 during my college years, I realized my role in God’s Story: To plant a church aimed for great impact in a major city in the United States. I didn’t know where or when, but this started an 12 year journey of preparation. I spent the first 7 years leading college ministries as I pursued my Masters. The last 5, I have served as a church planter in residence at Crossroads Church, a church committed to launching healthy, thriving churches. My wife and I love Atlanta, and intend to stay here till I die, leading Vinings Church to love the city of Atlanta.
In April of 2009, several of my former pastors and mentors helped determine now is the time to launch this church. After a 40 day period of intense searching and research, God made clear Vinings was the location in Atlanta. My hope is that God would use Vinings Church for great impact in Atlanta.
Family and Education
I’m a graduate of Georgia Tech, with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I received a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. My wife Elizabeth and I were college sweethearts, and have enjoyed 11 incredible years of married life. I'm a blessed man as you can see. She is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and has been a middle school and kindergarten teacher most of her career. We have 2 sons, Landon (2 1/2 years) and Lincoln (6 mos).
