"I see tremendous potential here in Georgia for the facing of these days. ... I’ve heard Georgia referred to as a “kingdom,” not an “area.” It would be almost impossible to find a section of the nation or world with more of what it takes to demonstrate intelligently and effectively the church at work. Opportunities for interesting confrontations ... abound .... It’s our time. Our society is starved to death for Christian guidance, and there is so much of the indispensable that will never be said or done unless the church of Christ takes hold.                                                              
                                                                                               
The quote above is an excerpt from a letter written by Bishop John Owen Smith just after he arrived as the newly elected Bishop of the Atlanta Area in 1960. You can read more of Bishop Smith's thoughts in Letters Written In Turbulent Times, edited by Herchel H. Sheets.