Dr. Ike Reighard, former senior pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, is returning to Fayette County for a very special occasion. On March 18, he will speak to the church family he helped launch 20 years ago.

In 1987, Reighard commissioned Pastor Keith Moore to start one of the first church plants in Peachtree City — Dogwood Church (formerly Braelinn Baptist Church). To help Dogwood Church celebrate its 20th anniversary, Reighard will speak at all morning services — 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

So, what has Reighard been doing since leaving the Fayette community more than a decade ago?

In December 2002, he was named Chief People Officer for HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation. During his first year with HomeBanc, it was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as “The Best Place To Work in Atlanta.” From 2003-2005, HomeBanc moved from No. 39 to No. 14 on Fortune’s Best 100 Companies to work for.

Reighard has pastored two of the fastest growing churches in America during his ministry — New Hope Church and NorthStar. He is the founding pastor of NorthStar which has the distinction of being the fastest growing church start in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention, the world’s largest protestant denomination. NorthStar has gone from a new start to a mega church in a little over five years while helping to start more than 20 new churches across America who utilize the same formula for ministry.

In the fall of 2005, NorthStar created a strategic alliance with Piedmont Church in Marietta where Reighard serves as the senior pastor.

Reighard has appeared in articles in The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, The Atlanta Journal, The Atlanta Business Chronicle, Mission USA, Church Growth Today, Atlanta Magazine and other publications.

His speaking engagements include speaking before the Georgia General Assembly and the United States Congress.

He is the author of three inspirational books, a frequent guest of the media, and the recipient of a number of academic appointments. Reighard and his wife of 20 years have two daughters.

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