On February 4th, 2001, something new started in the heart of Birmingham.

In the Fine Arts Theatre of Mountain Brook High School, Church of the Highlands was born. Highlands started as a journey to answer some of the

questions we all have about church. Could there be more? What would it look like if the church was

built around people experiencing a relationship with God instead of just religion? Could people

live for God not out of an obligation, but out of a heartfelt desire?

What if a community of believers was committed to continually taking next steps and reaching new heights?

And church wasn't just about attendance, but was about leading people on a spiritual journey

to reach their full potential by knowing God, finding freedom, discovering their purpose,

and making a difference. Where people could live life together, in community, not alone.

Where church was so attractive, so refreshing, so life-giving, that buildings would struggle to

contain the increase. Where church was less about man-made tradition

and instead was a place where people personally

encounter the presence of God,

a church that existed to make Jesus famous

and give all the glory to God.

I mean, what I want to say, it's hard to say, it's, this is strange. This is not happening anywhere.

This is, this is crazy.

It's crazy.

It really is exceedingly abundantly above anything that we were asking or thinking.

God has a vision, and we're privileged to be a part of it.

And I just hope we never take it for granted what God is doing among us because it is very

special.

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