Since June 2015, I sensed God leading me somewhere different. I spent three months with refugees in Clarkston, GA, and thought a move to the Middle East or North Africa was coming soon. But through all of that, a community in west Atlanta kept coming to mind. As I talked with Danny Iverson, the pastor of a new church plant in the Bankhead community, the idea of joining God in His mission here really excited me. And His mission is two-sided: discovering the innate beauty of this community, and fighting to restore its places of brokenness. As our neighborhood finds "shalom," we also find our "shalom." So, in March of 2016, I became a homeowner in the Grove Park community.

I have a couple of main roles in Grove Park. My main role is Operations Director at Restore Life, a collective impact non-profit here in the community. As we discover effective partnerships, develop local leaders, and disperse resources, I help manage the day-to-day operations of the office. Additionally, I mentor a teenage guy, volunteer with several of our partners, and facilitate a financial education course on Wednesday nights, called Faith & Finances. 

Aside from that, I also volunteer with Shalom City Church, and help host a house church on Sunday nights. The beauty of developing friendships with our neighbors and sharing our lives with them has forever changed me. It's a huge learning experience, and weeks can definitely feel long, but I can't imagine myself being anywhere else. 

Financially, I am fully supported by family and friends. As they prayed and learned more about Restore Life, Shalom City, and God's beauty in Grove Park, a team of passionate and prayerful partners began to form. Almost a year into this journey, these teammates have supported and encouraged me on some of the harder days. For that, I'm forever thankful. If you're interested in joining the team, receiving monthly updates, or just connecting in general, consider this your official invitation. I am inviting you to partner, experience, and invest in God’s Kingdom, believing that being a part of this Grove Park story, and God’s greater redemption story, is well worth the risk.

Taylor Pruitt

taylorp@restorelife.net

P.S. Please check the "updates" tab for some next steps