Branigan Family Plants Hope in South/East Columbus through Hope Springs Community Church

Brandon Branigan, a familiar face at CCC, has been a church member here since 2013. Brandon has led Arise Young Adult Ministries since 2017 and is now moving in a new direction—church planting. Brandon lovingly shares his newfound calling, vision and mission with us. 
 
1. Introduce yourself and your family.
My name is Brandon Branigan, and I have been a member at CCC since early 2013 and on staff as the Young Adult Ministries Director (and now church planting resident) since March 2017. I was born and partially raised in Würzburg Germany and moved to Columbus, Georgia (Buena Vista Road area) in 2007 at the age of 17. I met my beautiful bride Cassandra (Sandy) Branigan in college at CSU, and over the course of the last 7 years, we spent some brief time in the Army, have been blessed with our three children (Immanuel, 6; Isabel, 5 and Hezekiah, 2 and one on the way!) and have been involved in life-giving ministry. God has blessed me richly with this amazing family!
 
2. Where did the vision of church-planting originate?
Almost three years ago, the theme for the year at CCC was Awaken, learning to truly awaken to the extraordinary life to which we are called. It was during this season that I started to sense God calling me to trust Him on a deeper level and walk in step with the Holy Spirit for wherever He might lead us. It was during one of my weekly discipleship meetings with two other brothers in Christ when I felt God clearly ask me this question: “Would you let me take you and your family to a dangerous place?” I had no clear idea what this meant, but in the moment, I could not respond with “yes.” I did not say “no,” but I wrestled with the fact that I could not say “yes.”
 
At the same time, I was beginning to have a burning passion out of my studies in seminary about expanding the kingdom of God through the local church and reaching the unchurched. While I was processing all of this, my wife had her own encounter with a word from God. During a prayer week at church, she felt that God said to her: “3 years.” She started to process and pray about what it meant. She felt strongly that we would be leaving CCC to do something else within three years. In response to all of this, we decided to do the only thing we knew, which was to pray and seek the input of our leaders on this matter.
 
While praying, I had a dream one night in which I first prepared to lead our young adults as I usually did, the only issue with this was…. what I brought no longer fit. This was followed with a dream in which I was in a church with a group of people from various life backgrounds, and God was moving! After these events, I started finding myself in conversations about how someone should move to the East and / or Southside of Columbus to make an impact for Jesus. It was almost as if I couldn’t let this go. One day, a brother of mine who once lived in that area of town said, “Why not you and your family?” As he continued to talk, it seemed clear to me that God was calling us to go. It was then and there that I remembered God’s question: “Would you let me take you and your family to a dangerous place?”
 
Following these events, Sandy and I went through another season of prayer and consulting with our leaders. One day I prayed and said, “God, if this is truly of you, would you confirm the call?” Soon thereafter, 3 staff members (that I had not talked to about any of this) asked me if I had ever thought about planting a church… note taken. Since then, God has confirmed this call, given us an excitement for it, and shown me that the question wasn’t, “Would you let me take you to a dangerous place?” But rather, “Would you let me take you to trusting me fully and walking in what I have for you?”
 
3. Where will the church be located?
The church will be located on the East/South side of Columbus. My wife and I just purchased a home in the area, and our team will meet there in the early stages. We realize that the church consists of God’s people, and His people who are called to be part of this will start meeting in our home. I think there’s some history with that when it comes to CCC as well...
 
4. What is the mission and vision of Hope Springs?
God has made it clear that the mission of Hope Springs Community Church is to transform people’s lives with the hope of Jesus. People may face a plethora of challenges, hang-ups, and issues in life, but there is a name, hope and power that is Jesus and he will change things in the present and the future for people.
 
Our vision is to become the epicenter of hope within the community. We believe that God is calling us to not just be a church in the community, but a church of the community. To be part of where He has placed us.
 
5. How can others get involved? 
We are beyond excited to witness the church God is growing with Hope Springs. We hope that you will consider being part of this journey. You may be called to physically be part of this church as a member (we would love to have you!) or God may call you to remain at CCC but give financially towards the church plant.  God may also all you to become a prayer partner with us. All of these are equally important and I want to invite you to our interest meeting Sunday, September 29th, 1:00 p.m. in the Midtown Room at Christ Community Church. We will have childcare and light refreshments for this. 

Hope Springs Community Church will launch in 2020. More details to come!