Being a Millennial in Atlanta

Sunday, December 21, 2014

For years, Fayette County has promoted its top-drawer schools and laid-back lifestyle as a place to live if you wanted to escape the high-traffic hassles of Atlanta. It even fought against public transit and bragged about its anti-big-city stance.That approach has earned the southside county a national distinction it would just as soon forget. In holding on to its bucolic lifestyle, it has managed to run off its millennials Between 2007 and 2013, Fayette saw the nation’s highest decrease – a 31 percent drop- in its population of people between the ages of 14 and 34. Now Fayette is trying to lure them back – as is the rest of metro Atlanta which hasn’t fared so well either in keeping or attracting the influential group. The Atlanta Regional Commission is desperately seeking millennials to sit on an advisory board that oversees planning and policies that will determine the region’s future.So how does one capture images that will somehow highlight a story like this? Enter Josiah Potter. He and his family moved to Peachtree City two years ago to be near his parents and to start the Crosspointe nondenominational church. Josiah is 32. His wife, Jordan, is 26 and they have two little girls Mercy, 4, and Sunday, 2, and a third daughter on the way. I walked into church just as Josiah was starting his sermon for Sunday worship service. The 100 or so parishioners that Crosspointe has also fall mostly in the millennial category. So come check out church service on a Sunday in Peachtree City through the eyes of a photographer.

Pastor Josiah Potter (center) gives his sermon during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (center) gives his sermon during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Danielle Coleman (left) sings during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Danielle Coleman (left) sings during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) gives his sermon during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) gives his sermon during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (center) speaks to his congregation during Sunday worship service as he stands on stage with Ryan Williams (left), Nathan Lueke, James Brown, Lydia Shanks and Hannah Beth Potter at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (center) speaks to his congregation during Sunday worship service as he stands on stage with Ryan Williams (left), Nathan Lueke, James Brown, Lydia Shanks and Hannah Beth Potter at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Marilyn Brown (right) prays during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Marilyn Brown (right) prays during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) stands in front of his congregation with James Brown during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) stands in front of his congregation with James Brown during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Daniela Lueke (center) sings during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Daniela Lueke (center) sings during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) stands in front of his congregation with Michael Nelson and his wife Amy during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) stands in front of his congregation with Michael Nelson and his wife Amy during worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (left) reaches down to pick up his daughter Sunday, 2, after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (left) reaches down to pick up his daughter Sunday, 2, after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (left) talks to his daughter Sunday, 2, after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (left) talks to his daughter Sunday, 2, after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (left) carries his daughter Sunday as he walks down the hall with his wife Jordan and other daughter Mercy after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (left) carries his daughter Sunday as he walks down the hall with his wife Jordan and other daughter Mercy after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) stands with his wife Jordan and their daughtersMercy, 4, and Sunday, 2, after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) stands with his wife Jordan and their daughtersMercy, 4, and Sunday, 2, after worship service at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) talks with Michael Nelson after Sunday worship service is concluded at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (right) talks with Michael Nelson after Sunday worship service is concluded at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (center) talks with members of his congregation after Sunday worship service is concluded at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Pastor Josiah Potter (center) talks with members of his congregation after Sunday worship service is concluded at Crosspointe Church in Peachtree City on Sunday, December 21, 2014.