October 18, 2026
LULA, Ga. — Transformation Church in Lula is very much akin to the New Testament church because, in many ways, it reflects the spirit of the church described in Acts 2:44-47. It is not a large church, and it is not a wealthy church, but the people are excited about their faith, seeking to meet the needs of their community, and welcoming everyone to be a part of their family.
Mike Dorough, pastor of Transformation Church, traces the beginning of the congregation to an early-morning encounter with God.
“After serving for almost three decades in student ministry, preaching as a vocational evangelist for two seasons, and pastoring two churches, God woke me up at 2 a.m. on a Monday morning and spoke clearly and unmistakably to my heart,” Dorough testified. “He said, ‘You are released!’
“It was a wake-up call for me. I resigned from the church I was serving, knowing that God wanted me to plant a new church which would be called Transformation Church.”
Dorough wanted to plant a biblically authentic and Spirit-led church that would not be focused inwardly, but would reach beyond its walls to serve others.
The message from God in that early-morning encounter was clear, but the questions that remained were innumerable. Dorough had no steady income and no money saved for launching a church. Consequently, he initiated a search for employment and got a job with the Nabisco Company to provide for his family. He continues to be a bivocational pastor.
Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and with great determination, Dorough soon began the process of planting Transformation Church with a faithful group of about three dozen Truett McConnell University students and a mixture of people representing every decade from children to senior adults. They began worshiping in the East Hall County Community Center on Davison Road in Gainesville.
Several churches came alongside the new congregation financially. Dorough also secured support from the North American Mission Board, which agreed to provide financial assistance for four years. That support comes to an end this month, but the church will remain under the care of NAMB.
Transformation Church also received financial support from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and became officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) ministry under the GBMB. Among the churches that have supported Transformation Church are First Baptist Church in Thomaston, Emmanuel Baptist in Blackshear, Liberty Baptist Church in Vienna, Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, and Christ Place Church in Flowery Branch.
Financing the new church has been challenging, but Dorough’s faith remains strong, and he is convinced that God will provide for every need.
For four years, Dorough and his faithful nucleus of members met in the multipurpose community center. During those years, the church touched the lives of many people; a significant number of people were saved, and two men were licensed into the gospel ministry.
But by 2024, the burdens of being a portable church were taking their toll. Transformation was paying substantial rent while repeatedly setting up and tearing down chairs, technical equipment, and other necessities, all while operating under restrictions on the use of the facility.
Church leaders began searching for a place they could call their own.
Dorough sensed that God just might lead them to Lula, a small town less than 10 miles from the East Hall Community Center. On several occasions, he attempted to secure a certain building, but to no avail.
“Lula is still in our East Hall County target area of ministry,” Dorough stressed.
Lula is a growing community with significant spiritual needs. Dorough explained, “There are a significant number of homeless people in Lula, and the use of the powerful, highly addictive man-made drug methamphetamine is prevalent.”
One story particularly impressed upon him the need.
A member of Transformation Church told Dorough that years earlier, during Lula’s annual Christmas parade, children had been heard asking, “Why is that baby lying in the hay?”
For Dorough, the question was evidence that there were people in the community with little knowledge of the story of Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, April 19, 2026, Transformation Church voted to sign a four-year lease and move to a more permanent building in Lula.
“This is a huge answer to prayer that will position us to embrace with greater effectiveness the Great Commission,” Dorough announced.
The congregation then began preparing the facility for ministry. General contractor Robert Grizzle of Lula was approved to make renovations, including space for a nursery, children’s ministry, and a sound booth.
Transformation Church also created an Amazon wish list, asking members and friends to donate furnishings and supplies. The response was generous.
At one point, Dorough exclaimed, “My garage is overflowing with items purchased by many of you for our new church home.”
Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, was the first guest speaker to preach at Transformation Church in its new location.
“God is using Mike Dorough to lead Transformation Church to have a significant impact in pushing back the darkness in Hall County,” Hammond later commented. “Their intentionality and relentlessness are so encouraging and inspiring. I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for this special church.”
After nine weeks of worship in Lula, Dorough reported an encouraging response.
“We have had new visitors for the first nine Sundays we have been meeting in Lula, and every one of them has returned to worship with us,” he said.
One example of Transformation Church’s ministry is its outreach to Tony Whitfield, a 65-year-old homeless man who has been saved and is awaiting baptism. Whitfield has already offered the prayer during a morning worship service and has found a place in the life of the congregation.
“He comes to church with a bright spirit and a willingness to help wherever there is a need,” Dorough emphasized. “He is generous and even uses the money he gets for food stamps to purchase bottles of water and snacks for our Sunday services. He has become an integral part of our church.”
Phil Streetman, pastor of Lake Blackshear Baptist Church in Cordele, has known Dorough for many years and has had him preach in four revival meetings. Streetman, who planted the church he pastors more than 40 years ago, knows something of the challenges involved in starting a congregation.
“It takes dedication and energy,” Streetman testified. “Mike Dorough is energetic and dynamic. He has only two gears — wide open and dead stop — but I have never seen him at dead stop.
“He was tremendously successful when he was the student pastor at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins years ago, and he is a powerful preacher. In Transformation Church, he will lead his members to love all people and reach out to everyone who needs Jesus regardless of their race, economic status, or nationality.”
Dorough believes that is precisely the kind of church Lula needs.
He recalled the 1964 animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and its Island of Misfit Toys, populated by unwanted toys longing to be accepted and loved.
“In a way, there are people in Lula who feel unwanted, overlooked, or forgotten,” Dorough said. “And that is precisely why we are here.”
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Churches interested in helping Transformation Church may contact Pastor Mike Dorough at mike@wearetransformation.org.
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