ALPHARETTA, Ga. — North Point Ministries senior pastor Andy Stanley announced Sunday that he plans to step down from his leadership roles in 2027, beginning a transition to new leadership for the Atlanta-area church network.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Stanley shared the news Oct. 18, saying he plans to retire from his job but not from ministry.
He has recommended Joel Thomas, the ministry’s executive director, to succeed him as senior pastor. The congregation will vote on whether to approve Thomas, with the results expected to be announced Nov. 1.
If approved, Thomas will become senior pastor of North Point Ministries on Jan. 1, 2027. Stanley plans to remain lead pastor of North Point Community Church until May 2027, when Thomas is expected to take over that role as well.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 13-year-old shot 4 times overnight in Atlanta; mother says it’s not his first time being shot
- Hassan Kariem’s niece says he passed out before Goliath fall; Expert explains investigation
- Man loses $4,000 to fraudulent jury duty calls linked to inmate, police say
Stanley said he and his wife, Sandra, began discussing his departure about four and a half years ago. He said the decision was made to help prepare the organization for a leadership transition and give him more time with his grandchildren.
“I’m retiring from my job, but I’m not retiring from ministry,” Stanley said.
He plans to continue preaching at North Point churches, serve as an ambassador for the church network and potentially remain on the board of elders.
North Point Ministries has eight campuses in the Atlanta area, according to Stanley, and has grown into a network of churches over the past three decades.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
