Central Church Of God

What Central Church Of God does

Central Church of God is a multi-campus evangelical religious nonprofit founded in January 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Reverend G. E. Weatherby served as founding pastor, with Loran Livingston assuming the pastorate four months later and leading the organization continuously for more than 47 years. The church has grown from 19 charter members to approximately 5,000 in weekly attendance and operates three physical campuses: Charlotte (headquarters at 5301 Sardis Rd, capacity-built in 1988), Lake Park/Indian Trail, and Wilmington (launched fall 2013). The organization serves congregants through a structured three-step membership pathway (Life at Central classes, Pastor's Perspective, New Member Affirmation) and offers a full life-stage ministry portfolio spanning Central Student Ministries for Preschool-12th grade, Celebrate Recovery (Christ-centered 12-step), Life Care Center pastoral counseling, marriage mentoring, men's, women's, young adult, and senior (Primetimers 50+) ministries, plus a Weekday Preschool and a Central Collective worship music brand.

The church's technology stack is a conventional web/app architecture rather than a proprietary platform. It includes a content website (centralnc.org) built on standard CMS, a dedicated iOS and Android mobile application, a live streaming service (live.centralnc.org) broadcasting Sunday services (8:30AM, 10:30AM) and Wednesday services (7PM), and an online giving flow powered by the MyWell payment gateway with PCI DSS compliance and 128-bit SSL encryption. The site is protected by Cloudflare and instrumented with Google Analytics. Distribution is hybrid: three physical campuses serve the Charlotte metropolitan area, Indian Trail/Matthews/Monroe, and coastal Wilmington, while the live stream and mobile app extend the audience globally. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary algorithms, or advanced data products are present in the disclosed technology footprint.

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream nonprofit model. The primary stream is voluntary tithes and offerings collected both in-service and via the online giving platform. Secondary streams include Weekday Preschool tuition (approximately $550-$625 per child per month for half-day classes, with a $225 registration/supply fee), Central Collective merchandise (T-shirts at $25, hoodies at $45, music CDs at $12), and program/event fees such as Financial Peace University at $80 per family. The organization is a private nonprofit under North Carolina law with no parent company, no public ownership, no disclosed funding rounds, and no acquisitions. Governance and operations are led by Senior Pastor Loran Livingston, Executive Pastor Greg Baker, and campus pastors Monty Lasseter (Lake Park, from January 2026) and Tim Denny (Wilmington), with approximately 60+ named staff across the three campuses.

Name

Central Church Of God

Legal name

Central Church of God

Website

https://centralnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Central Church of God is a multi-campus evangelical nonprofit in North Carolina serving approximately 5,000 weekly attendees across Charlotte, Lake Park, and Wilmington through worship, age-segmented ministries, preschool education, recovery programs, and digital live streaming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services (Christian Worship)

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAA

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAD

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYMPABALAN

Religious Music & Worship Broadcasting

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Religious/Faith-Based Broadcasting

SECONDARYBPAGAJAB

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Christian education programs
• Community outreach programs
• Pastoral care services
• Small group ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary financial contributions from congregants during worship services and through online giving platforms. The church processes donations through MyWell secure payment gateway.
2. Weekday Preschool Program: Early childhood education program offering half-day classes from 9am-1pm for infants through Transitional Kindergarten. Revenue generated through monthly tuition.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Central Collective merchandise including T-shirts ($25), hoodies ($45), and music CDs ($12)
4. Event Registration Fees: Fees for various church programs including Financial Peace University ($80/family), mission trips, camps, and other educational programs
5. Life Care Center Donations: Voluntary session donations and contributions to support pastoral care and counseling services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Central Church of God operates a multi-campus Christian worship organization providing weekly worship services, comprehensive age-specific ministries (infants through seniors), Christ-centered preschool education, pastoral counseling, recovery support, and community outreach programs. The church delivers in-person worship and small groups across three North Carolina campuses, supplemented by live streaming, a mobile app, and online giving. Supplemental offerings include tuition-based preschool, paid merchandise and music, and fee-based educational programs such as Financial Peace University.

Product overview

Central Church Of God operates as a multi-campus church organization (Charlotte, Lake Park, and Wilmington locations) offering a comprehensive suite of spiritual, educational, and community programs. The core offering includes Sunday and Wednesday worship services with live streaming capabilities. The organization provides age-specific student ministries from preschool through high school, Christ-centered weekday preschool education, and various support programs including Celebrate Recovery (12-step program) and the Life Care Center (pastoral counseling). Music ministry includes the Central Collective worship band producing albums and merchandise. Community outreach spans international missions, local service, and jail/prison ministry. The church facilitates community connection through small groups (Life Groups and Central to Go seasonal groups), virtual membership options, marriage mentoring, and Financial Peace University for financial education. Additional services include an online store for music and merchandise, prayer request submission, and pastoral care for life events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Streaming Services Live broadcast of Sunday worship services (8:30 AM and 10:30 AM) and Wednesday services (7 PM) enabling online participation from anywhere for congregants and global online viewers.
• Weekday Preschool Christ-centered preschool program for infants (3-12 months) through Transitional Kindergarten, offering half-day classes five days a week from 9am-1pm. Tuition: $625/month for infants, $550/month for toddlers through Transitional Kindergarten, with a $225 registration/supply fee.
• Central Student Ministries (CSM) Student ministry serving preschool through high school with age-specific programs including CSM Preschool, CSM Kids, Middle School, and Central Youth for high schoolers, with age-appropriate Bible teaching, worship, and fellowship.
• Celebrate Recovery Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for adults 18+ struggling with hurts, pain, or addiction, including worship, teaching, and gender-specific breakout groups in a safe community environment.
• Life Care Center Pastoral care center offering counseling sessions and workshops in an environment of love, acceptance, and confidentiality for those seeking encouragement, prayer, and support during life challenges.
• International Missions Global mission partnerships providing financial assistance, short-term team trips, and prayer support to missionaries worldwide, including partnerships in Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Trinidad, Greece, and Brazil.
• Local Outreach Community service including Salvation Army visits, Christmas shoeboxes, meal serving, and other local ministry opportunities for the Charlotte area community.
• Jail & Prison Ministry Ministry reaching incarcerated individuals in Mecklenburg, Union, and York county jails with Bible teaching, testimonies, music, and a 42-booklet correspondence course.
• Life Groups / Small Groups Small group Bible studies meeting at various times and locations including Sunday mornings, weeknights, and Central to Go 9-week seasonal groups for adult community and spiritual formation.
• Financial Peace University 9-week financial class based on Dave Ramsey's curriculum teaching God's ways of handling money for financial freedom. Tuition $80 per family including curriculum kit. Need-based financial assistance available for Central members.
• Marriage Mentoring Program pairing experienced couples with young married couples for advice and guidance to improve marriages through Christ-centered mentoring.
• Central Store Online store selling Central Collective music CDs ($12) and branded merchandise including t-shirts ($25) and hoodies ($45).
• Virtual Membership Online membership option for those prohibited by health or distance from physically attending, allowing participation in the Central Church family.
• Prayer Request System Online submission system for prayer requests with volunteer intercessors who pray regularly for submitted requests, supporting pastoral care and member intercession.
• Fine Arts Ministry Music and arts ministry including choir, orchestra, rhythm sections, and Central Collective worship band enabling congregational worship and artistic expression.

Quantifiable outcome

• Grown from 19 charter members in 1977 to approximately 5,000 weekly attendees
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joe and Liliana Williams (Central Church Missionaries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Church missionaries serving in Costa Rica. Central Church supports through financial assistance, short-term team trips, and prayer support for their international ministry work.
• Freedom International MissionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission organization based in the Dominican Republic. Central Church partners through youth mission trips to work alongside their ministry efforts.
• Trinidad Church of GodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch of God denomination in Trinidad hosting Central Church youth for annual youth camp partnership.
• Billy Graham Evangelical AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational evangelistic organization. Central Church team members partner with their Brazil outreach Crusade event in November 2026.
• Dr. Randy SmithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible school instructor in Greece who teaches Central Church mission trip participants during cleanup/remodeling projects at the Bible School in southern Greece.
• MyWellcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment gateway provider for secure credit card and electronic check donations. MyWell manages the routing of sensitive payment information through PCI DSS compliant networks.
• Missionary Athletes International (MAI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses soccer to create teams that influence people for Christ. Posts job listings on Central Church website for HR Manager and Ministry Staff Accountant positions.
• Samaritan's PurseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian humanitarian organization. Posts seasonal job listings on Central Church website for Operation Christmas Child processing center positions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Elevation Church: Multi-campus megachurch headquartered in Charlotte, NC, founded by Steven Furtick. Operates multiple physical locations and a strong digital/livestream presence, directly competing with Central Church for Charlotte-area congregants.
• Gateway Church: Multi-campus evangelical church in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro led by Robert Morris. Comparable multi-site expansion playbook, family ministry, and missions programming.
• Transformation Church: Multi-campus non-denominational church in the Charlotte, NC metro area led by Derwin Gray. Comparable in scale and ministry model, competing directly with Central Church in the same regional market.
• North Point Community Church: Andy Stanley-led multi-campus church in the Atlanta metro area known for its strategic multi-site model, small groups, and family ministry — directly comparable in operating philosophy.
• McLean Bible Church: Multi-site church in the Washington, DC metro offering live streaming, life groups, and global missions. Comparable multi-campus scaling model and digital engagement strategy.
• Saddleback Church: Multi-campus evangelical church in Southern California with extensive small groups, global missions, and PEACE plan community programs — comparable in ministry breadth and multi-site footprint.
• Lakewood Church: Houston-based megachurch led by Joel Osteen with very large weekly attendance and a global broadcast reach. Comparable for its scale, broadcast ministry, and weekly service programming model.
• Life.Church: Multi-campus evangelical church with one of the most advanced digital/online church presences globally, founded by Craig Groeschel. Comparable for its multi-site scaling, online streaming, and mobile app infrastructure.
• Church of the Highlands: Large multi-campus non-denominational church based in Birmingham, AL, with a similar multi-site model, live streaming, and comprehensive life-stage programming serving tens of thousands weekly.

Regional players

• Summit Church: Multi-campus church in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area led by J.D. Greear. Operates in the same state as Central Church with similar multi-site and small-group programming, but in a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/centralchurchnc
• Instagraminstagram.com/centralnc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/centralnc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-nc
• Xx.com/centralchurchnc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Church Of God