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The Church of the Highlands will launch a new branch in Troy on Sunday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

Services will be at 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. and everyone is welcome.

Church of the Highlands is a non-denominational Christian multi-site megachurch headquarter in Birmingham. The Highlands’ senior pastor is Chris Hodges. His weekly sermons are streamed by video to more than 20 branches from Huntsville, to Mobile and Tuscaloosa to Columbus, Georgia.

Blake Cotter, Troy branch head pastor, said a large number of people have been driving from Troy and other areas of the Wiregrass to the Church of the Highlands Montgomery branch.

“We welcomed the opportunity to locate a branch here in Troy and on the Troy University campus,” said Cotter who is originally from the Andalusia area.

“The Church of the Highlands has a campus branch in Columbus, Georgia and we are looking forward to the campus location here in Troy.”

Cotter said the Sunday services will continue to be at the Crosby Theater at 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. and services will be added as the church grows.

“We are a church for all ages. Everyone who has a breath in their lungs and a beat in their heart is invited,” he said.

“Our services are dynamic worship given to God’s Word in a life-giving atmosphere. Our music is primarily contemporary praise and worship music.”

The Church of the Highlands provides excellent security for its services.

“We take all safety precaution,” Cotter said. “We will have a uniformed police officer at every service.”   

Cotter said small group meetings are held throughout the week at different locations. The groups may be small in number or as many as 40 or so.  The Church of the Highlands has a college service on Thursday nights at the Crosby Theater and a service is planned for middle and junior high school students.

Cotter said God is at work in all the local churches and the Church of the Highlands “will be off and running and, the Lord willing, until He returns.”

Cotter and his wife have two children, ages three and two months.

They moved to Troy in March and have appreciated that time to connect with people in the community.  Cotter’s dad is the pastor of the Baptist Church in New Brockton and he is looking forward to what God has planned for the Church of the Highlands in this area of the Wiregrass.

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