Our Story

Immeasurably more.

That two-word phrase found in the Apostle Paul's prayer in the book of Ephesians encapsulates the journey that has been Pinelake's for over 35 years.

It's hard to believe that what began in a mobile chapel located on Spillway Road in February of 1971, would grow to become the church that we experience today where people from all over Central Mississippi join together for worship each Sunday.

Our story is the work of a great and powerful God; a faithful God who in His mercy has determined that He would pour out His blessing on a group simple people who have remained committed to His fame.

That journey has involved four Senior Pastors since the inception of the church, all providing timely and providential leadership during their tenure. It was in January of 1999 that God brought Dr. Chip Henderson to lead the congregation. What was soon apparent was that the church would not have enough space at Spillway Road for what God intended to do through the congregation. A little over a year later, in February 2000, the leadership of the church was led to begin an aggressive search for a new location that would provide the necessary room to reach more people.

In November 2000 the church met on land off of Lakeland Drive to dedicate the immense and beautiful 170 acres that God had provided as a new location. The property was strategically located in the growth corridor of Rankin County and was connected to the main highway that splits the Reservoir community. Amazingly, the new property was also bordered by a main county road that led to the county seat...what a location!

As the new facility was built and the church prepared itself for relocation, God was busy adding to the church body. He continued to work through the leadership reminding His people that church isn't about physical buildings; it's about God working in His people. In the next three years the church would grow to five service and welcome almost 2500 people to worship every weekend.

By late 2003, the new facility was completed. Meanwhile, another local church agreed to purchase the old facility at the Spillway Road location. On November 16, 2003, the Pinelake congregation held its first services at the new Lakeland location. And while the new facilities were wonderful, it was the journey with God over the previous five years that would forever mark the people.

Through 2004 and 2005 God would add over 2000 weekly attendees to the church bringing the Sunday attendance to over 5000 people. The church has found that the greatest joy is not in the numbers of people, but in the individuals that have been changed through the power of a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ.

The future at Pinelake is bright as we believe God has even more in store for us as we move forward into the next chapters of our church's life.

Well known for its commitment to biblical, life-application teaching and relevant, celebrative worship, Pinelake currently hosts three worship services on Sunday mornings as well as its Renewal service on Wednesday evenings. Today the church offers ministries to every age group with particular emphasis in the area of Small Groups and Equipping, Family Ministries and our Celebrate Recovery ministries. As well, the church is being used in a mighty way to extend the work of God both locally and globally through an extensive Missions Ministry that touches multiple cultures and people groups around the world.

Our simple mission is to help people discover and fulfill their God-given purpose for living.

STARTING POINT > To learn more about Pinelake—our doctrine, core values, structure and more, sign up for the next Starting Point class. For more information, contact Lanita Banaka at lbanaka@pinelake.org or 601.829.4524.