The Gate Church is located at 451 Roper Road, Clarkesville
From the moment one walks through the doors of The Gate Church in Clarkesville, GA, there is an energy felt unlike any other. Although new to our community, the church is thriving.
“What drives me is the vision of our pastor and his encouragement,” Miranda Vandiver spoke of her church home. “Jonathan’s teachings and example of lifestyle make all the difference.”
Jonathan and Deanna Barron are the pastors of The Gate Ministries; a young, enthusiastic couple who want to build God’s Kingdom. “The movement of God is like a wave,” Jonathan interjected, “We want to ride that wave all the way in.”
The Gate Church has developed a Mission to be “church like it should be.” Their goal is to be the church like the Acts New Testament Church. A church filled with people who are empowered to do and be as Christ intended and to pursue God with all their hearts.
Pastor Jonathan studied at F.I.R.E School of Ministry, where he received an Associates Degree in Pastoral Ministry and earned his B.A. from Beacon University in Columbus, Ga. Growing a church is nothing new to Jonathan; he grew-up the son of a pastor and learned a great deal from his father and mother.
“There are days, just like everyone experiences, that I want to give up,” Barron replied humbly, “But I can’t go back. This is God’s calling on my life.”
The music sets the stage for worship. A dynamic and talented Worship team opens the service with anthems of praise. And there is a welcoming, sincere joy from Gate members for every person who comes to hear the word of God.
“I find I can’t miss Sunday morning. No matter how much laundry I need to finish or how tired I am,” Kailey Smith talked of her experience as a member of The Gate. “I’ve learned that in life, the only way out is through. And the way through is The Gate.”
The Gate is located at 451 Roper Road in Clarkesville, Georgia. Service times are Sundays at 11:00 a.m. with Growth Groups meeting at various times throughout the week. If you are looking for a church home or are interested in a change, The Gate is definitely an inviting atmosphere and worth visiting.
They smile at us in the photos we see. They look strapping in their uniforms and appear brave and courageous, but look closer, there’s more to the picture of life as a veteran.
The men and women of our Armed Forces face things on the job and in life most of us never do: fear, long separations from family, difficult – often deadly – working conditions. They embrace moments in life we consider routine: being there for the birth of your child, watching your son pitch his first baseball game, cheering on your daughter at graduation. They cherish things we take for granted; spending holidays with family, working alongside their buddies, coming home from work every night, life, freedom.
The men and women who suit up and ship out to protect our nation’s interests and freedom should not just be respected, they should be admired and appreciated. Admired for stepping up when others don’t, for stepping out where others won’t and appreciated for stepping into the void that separates our freedom from the totalitarian forces that seek to destroy it.
Yes, the men and women who serve in the the U.S. Armed Forces – past and present – should be respected, admired and appreciated every day of the year.
So on this day we say Thank You! As you smile at us from these photographs please know that, though we may not fully comprehend the hardships you face, we know that you face them. Though we may not fully grasp the depth of your personal, physical and spiritual sacrifice, we know you have sacrificed. Though we may not know you personally, we know your character by the stripes, stars and scars that you bear.
WW II veteran Paul Allen of Habersham County.
William Douglas Barnett, US Air Force. Barnett served with the 329th Airdrome Squadron, 3rd Combat Cargo during WWII. He was a member of the famed “Flying Tigers” which dropped supplies along the China/Burma Road to the Allied prisoners known as Merrill’s Marauders.
Cpl Alexander Bearden, USMC
Col. David Dolph, retired, U.S. Army
Joseph (Joedy) Grant of Habersham County was killed in action in WWII. The Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 in Cornelia was named in his honor.
Sgt Allen Thomas Haynes, US Army 1986-2007
Maj. Tyson James (TJ) Hise, U.S. Army. This photograph was taken during his first deployment to Afghanistan in 2002.
Christa Joy Joyce, U.S. Air Force. Joyce was in Special Forces and served a tour in Kuwait. She was killed in a car accident 6 months ago. April 4, 1986-May 22, 2014. Her family says, “We are so proud of her service and the legacy she left!”
Habersham County veterans and VFW members Ernest Mabe and Bennie Smith. Mabe is WWII veteran and the oldest living member of the VFW Post 7720 in Cornelia. Smith is the VFW post commander
Roy Emory McEntire U.S. Navy , Korean war veteran.
Cliff, Ben and David Purcell, U.S. Army
E-6 Chinua Raine, U.S. Navy
William (Billy) Reeves of Habersham County. He was killed in action in WWII. The Grant-Reeves VFQ Post 7720 in Cornelia was named in his honor.
Vincent Troche, U.S. Army Ranger His daughter says, “I am so proud of him for being a wonderful Dad and proud Veteran. This was taken two years ago during a Veterans Day Celebration at Department of Veteran Affairs, Milledgeville Georgia.”
William “Bill” Widmer and Azalee “Miami” Widmer WWII Coast Guard
Congressman Doug Collins speaks during a Veterans Day observance at Level Grove Elementary School.
Habersham County veterans were honored today during programs at North Habersham Middle School in Clarkesville and at Wilbanks Middle School in Demorest. No other formal community-wide Veterans Day celebrations were held. Air Force Veteran Bennie Smith that’s because the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – which has in the past sponsored Veterans Day services in Habersham – chose not to do so this year in order to free up its members to attend local school events. Smith says, “That way our guys can go to the schools and support the kids.”
South Habersham Middle School held its Veterans Day program on Monday and Level Grove Elementary School held a special flag raising ceremony on Friday (pictured above).
Grant Reeves VFW Post 7720 Commander Bennie Smith (right) chats with fellow veteran and VFW member Ernest Mabe. Mabe is the oldest living member of the local VFW. He is a veteran of WW II.
Smith says these types of school events are inspiring, “As I was listening to the kids at South Habersham Middle School give some good speeches that they wrote I thought ‘how great it is for the kids to learn about what the soldiers have done and where their freedom comes from.'”
Smith knows a lot about the price of freedom. He served in the Army National Guard in the early 1960s then joined the U.S. Air Force. He was sent to Vietnam in 1964. Smith spent two six-month tours in Vietnam working as a crew chief, managing flights and repairs on U.S. aircraft. He left the military when his last tour ended in 1965.
Fellow Habersham Countian Raymond Hudgins, Jr., also served during the Vietnam War era.
Hudgins was drafted into the Army in 1965. His father was a World War II vet. Hudgins says, “The day I was drafted was the only time I ever saw my dad cry.” Hudgins expected to receive orders to go to Vietnam, instead, he was sent to South Korea. He spent two years there before returning home and settling back into civilian life.
“I don’t know if I would have gone into the military if I hadn’t been drafted,” Hudgins says. The draft ended when the Vietnam War ended in 1973. The United States now has an all-volunteer military force. “These people today who join now have some courage,” he says.
Hudgins and Smith both remember the anti-war protests of the ’60s. “It was disgraceful how veterans from Vietnam were treated,” Hudgins says but he quickly adds, “Times have changed. We haven’t seen this much support for our veterans and soldiers since World War II.”
After the war Hudgins and Smith both went on to raise families and build successful civilian careers. Though they left the service, the service never left them.
The Buddy Poppy is the VFW’s official memorial flower and represents the blood shed by American service members. The Poppy movement was inspired by Canadian Army Col. John McCrae’s famous poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Poppies were originally distributed by the Franco-American Children’s League to benefit children in the war-torn regions of France and Belgium following WWI.
Today they are leaders at the local VFW Post 7720 in Cornelia and spend much of their time raising money to support local charitable and veterans causes. Just this past weekend they handed out buddy poppies to shoppers outside local stores. The small red flowers are handcrafted by disabled veterans living in veterans’ homes and distributed by VFWs nation-wide. Though the flowers are free most people who receive them give a donation. That money goes back into supporting programs for disabled veterans and other veterans in need.
The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary passed out nearly 3,000 buddy poppies in Habersham this past weekend. Smith says people were generous, especially members of the local Hispanic community. He says that makes him feel as though they appreciate the freedoms they enjoy here in America. “One little Hispanic girl came up with her family and said, ‘I studied about you in school today,'” Smith recalls. “That just cut me to the core. So I took her and gave her a buddy poppy. ‘Here’s you one,’ I said and she looked so excited and so did her parents.”
That wide-eyed excitement is a far cry from the harsh words and gestures many Vietnam War veterans endured back in the ’60s. Yes, things have changed but one thing that won’t change, Hudgins says, is the need to maintain a strong U.S. military. “If we hadn’t had a strong military after 9/11 we might not still be a free nation.” Now with the threat of terror groups such as ISIS looming local veterans warn our nation must continue to stand on guard. “The price of freedom was paid on the battlefield in war zones around the world with Americans’ blood,” says Smith. “I just hope there’s not a lot of these terrorists coming across the borders so that one day we wake up and we’re fighting those battles here at home.”
The Cornelia Kiwanis Club Toys for Kids program is getting ready to serve 500 children birth through 5th grade for Christmas. Beginning Nov. 1st, applications for families in need can be picked up at all of the elementary schools of Habersham County Schools, the Board of Education, Sharing and Caring in Clarkesville and Cornelia, Habersham Head Start and the United Way office.
The application deadline is Tuesday, November 18th.
Parents with children in the schools or Head Start should turn in their applications to their child’s school. Parents with children who are not yet school age should turn in their applications to Sharing and Caring or United Way. Parents will be notified by letter after December 5th as to the status of their application.
If you would like to donate money to this cause, please send a check to Cornelia Kiwanis Club PO Box 1507 Cornelia, GA 30531. You may also make donations of new or gently used toys, books or stuffed animals to the Cornelia Depot, South State Banks in Clarkesville and Cornelia and schools in the Habersham County School System.
For more information on donation drop off locations and dates click here.
There were no bombs last night or gunshots fired outside my window. The only noise I heard were distant coyotes singing their melodious chorus into the night air. I slept peacefully under my quilt nestled against my husband.
It didn’t really matter that my door was not kicked in yesterday, and my daughters were not stolen by militants for slavery. I should feel so relieved; and yet, I sit at my breakfast table sipping coffee with my feet propped up, unaware. Sunday as my family piled out of the car to walk into church, I failed to notice that no one tried to beat me with chains or shoot at my husband. And the fact I can read, doesn’t cross my mind as I scan the internet for local news.
As I glance down, I notice my arms. There are no bruises from recent beatings for disobedience. And my little dog sits comfortably in my lap without fear. It doesn’t really cross my mind that the pantry is full and on the table in front of me is a bowl of fresh fruit just waiting to be eaten.
My son comes bolting up the stairs. I am unaware that his hands are not missing, having been cut-off by opposing soldiers. He pours a bowl of cereal and splatters milk on the counter. “Make sure you wipe that up. It will be a sticky mess if you don’t,” I remind him.
He flips on the television and the voices of reporters expressing their views fills the air. Just last week, my daughter and I went to vote, and I forgot to notice no one tried to stop me.
I pause to listen to their words. It hasn’t crossed my mind that listening could cost me my life.
I am unaware because I don’t have to be. I live in the wealthiest country in the world where I am free to roam the streets without a male escort; I can be educated; marry whom I choose; and worship God without fear. I can work; write editorials about governmental decisions I oppose; and no one can legally abuse me. I do not have a limit to the number of children I can have or the style of clothes I am allowed to wear. I am not a slave but free to go and do what I lawfully choose to do.
My life is as it is because of the men and women of our armed forces. And as I sit unaware, I know some mom somewhere is on her hands and knees praying for the safety of her son; or some dad glimpses at his beautiful daughter’s picture on his dresser, wondering when she’ll return from active duty. To say thank you isn’t enough. Because of you, the men and women who have and do serve our country, I live in the luxury and safety of the United States of America.I do not have to be aware because you are aware for me.
Thank you to all of you who serve and have served. Thank you to all who have lost their lives for my comfort. Thank you to your families for their sacrifices every day without you.
There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude as I sit…unaware.
In 1993 I accompanied Dad when he returned to Vietnam to film a documentary about life as a POW. We went with five other former POWs and their families. It was an amazing journey! Here, Dad and I stand outside the gates of the infamous Hao Lo prison, better known as the Hanoi Hilton.
As the daughter of a career Army officer I felt the need to write something this Veterans Day to thank my father and all of the men and women who have served in our nation’s military throughout the years. My dad, Col. Ben Purcell of Clarkesville, was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for over five years. During his captivity he relied on three things to sustain him; faith, hope and love. He returned home on March 27, 1973 at the end of the war and spent the next forty years serving others through his military, political and Christian service.
Dad died last year.
During our trip to Vietnam Dad met one of his former interrogators. They talked about Dad’s first escape from prison (he escaped twice) and about their lives since the war ended. At the end of their visit these two former enemies shook hands in friendship.
The words are still hard to find but, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so, here is my tribute to Dad. He loved God, his country and family and he loved the Habersham County community.
Thank you, Dad, for answering the call to duty. Thank you to all veterans and your families for your service and sacrifice. You have paid the price for our freedom. May we never take you for granted.
Funeral services for CAROLYN SUE ELLER DANIEL , age 59, of Demorest, will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday November 12, 2014 from the Stonepile Baptist Church.
Today is Veterans Day. Please take a moment to remember the sacrifices our military men and women have made through the years to preserve, protect and defend our freedoms. Make time to thank a veteran today and, while you’re at it, thank their families, too.
Snappy Express Wash in Cornelia is offering FREE car washes to all military veterans and active duty personnel tomorrow, Nov. 11, 2014 between the hours of 8am and 7pm.
Cornelia owner/operator Kevin Wood says it’s part of the company’s participation in the national “Grace for Vets” program. The free $10 car washes are available at all Snappy Express Wash locations in Cornelia and in Anderson, Seneca and Greenville, SC.
The Cornelia Snappy Express Wash is located at 155 Finis Springs Dr. (Hwy 441 next to Whistle Stop Express).
In order to receive a FREE $10 car wash, all you have to do is let the wash attendant know you are a veteran or a member of the armed forces. No proof of veteran or personnel status is required.
