ABOUT

Lasting Impact Barnesville / Lamar County is a small church family made up of geniune people that care about you. Our leadership team is here to serve you and help you become all God has designed you to be!

Jim Hood,
Senior Pastor

I’m Jim. I grew up in Zephyrhills, Florida, a suburb of Tampa. As a teenager I moved to Brooksville, Florida. My parents kept me and my siblings in church as children. I began flirting with Jesus around twelve years old, but nothing really stuck. At eighteen, I met the girl of my dreams, Cathy, while working. She was my new supervisor, and we began dating several months later. I became a devoted follower of Jesus at nineteen, and my girlfriend followed several months later. We started a food ministry at our church and eventually married in 1999. We have three children; James Jr (J.J.) is 25, Emily is 21, and Ryan is 19. In November of 2004 we moved to Griffin, and have remained here since. For the last 17 years I have served as Associate Pastor, until my close friend and mentor, Scott, retired and appointed me Senior Pastor. I am passionate about showing people the love Jesus has for them.

Neal Goff,
Associate Pastor

I’m 42 years old and blessed to serve as an Associate Pastor at Lasting Impact Barnesville. I joined the ministry team in the fall of 2024 and am a proud dad of six amazing children.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in the summer of 2000 when I was 17. Like many, I faced a season of struggle and walked away from my faith in 2009. During that time, I made choices that took me far from the life God desired for me. But in the fall of 2023, God drew me back to Him, and I fully recommitted my heart, soul, and mind to Jesus. Since then, I have been devoted to following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and living out God’s calling for my life.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve, to grow, and to help others experience the life-changing love of Christ here at Lasting Impact Barnesville.

Emily Hood,
Children's Church

Hello, I’m Emily. I grew up in this church. My family and I moved to Georgia, from Florida when I was three months old. I became a Christian when I was eight years old, and have helped in the ministry here for almost my entire life. I’m looking forward to growing the Children’s ministry, and continuing to serve Lasting Impact Barnesville.

Melody Buller,
Worship Leader & Associate Pastor

Hi, I’m Melody! I am the worship leader and an associate pastor. My husband Jeff and I moved to Barnesville in 2011, and we’ve been part of Lasting Impact Barnesville since 2020. I’ve been following Jesus since I was five, and few things bring me more joy than worshiping Him and leading others into His presence. Alongside that, I take so much joy in being a wife and mom, and I’m grateful to serve with the amazing team here. We love our church family, and the opportunity to walk alongside others as we grow in God’s love and learn to love Him more deeply.

Thayer Carter

Associate Pastor

Hello, my name is Thayer Carter. I am 35 years old, and after what seems like a lifetime of prison, gangs, and drug addiction, Jesus found me and set me free from all of the above. I now have one overarching desire in my life: that others may know Him and know freedom.

Robert Heiney,
Elder

I was raised in a secular humanist household and had zero interest in anything religious. In fact, my religion was sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Life was fun and I encouraged others to have fun as well. After I got married, things changed and we had our first born - a little girl. My wife and I debated on bringing her to church - for religious instruction. We decided to bring her to church and to suffer the hour there for her sake. After all, I felt it was wrong to go sit in a diner while our little girl was getting religious instruction. So sit we did and were slammed by the Holy Spirit. It was totally unexpected. I did not go to church to become a Christian. Christ brought us to church to become His disciples. Our lives changed 180 degrees and to this day, I bow before my King and Master; God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who guides me daily and keeps me out of trouble. Serving the Lord and the congregation at Lasting Impact

Church is a passion and a duty unto the Lord.

Ps 51: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

JJ Hood Bass Player

Youth/Young Adult Leader Needed!

Lasting Impact Barnesville would like to have a Wednesday Night Youth Ministry for youth. We need a gifted youth leader teacher to volunteer!

Vince Cash,

Elder

Vince's bio coming soon

Breya Cash,

Tween Ministry

JJ's Bio Coming Soon!