Today we’d like to introduce you to Clint Byars.
Hi Clint, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital and have always loved Atlanta. I grew up in the late 80s and 90s, going to see bands at all the small clubs and concert halls, it was a great time for music back then. During those times, drugs were readily available, so my friends and I embraced that culture.
In some ways my upbringing was normal but elements were certainly non-traditional. My dad was a business owner but also had an illegal business on the side. He left when I was 12. My mom was into new age thought but took great care my me and my brother. Back then kids kind of raised themselves from about 14 on, very little accountability and lots of freedom to make mistakes.
My life-defining event that affected my path forward happened to me as a senior in high school. Because of my upbringing, we were not religious at all, so what happened was incredibly upsetting and shocking.
On a particular night in the early 90s, while under the influence, I began to hear voices that told me I was dying. I became convinced that I had indeed died. I lived out the rest of my senior year believing I was not alive and everything around me was not real. I realized that these were demonic voices speaking to me.
I was in torment day and night. A few months into the living nightmare I started trying to pray and talk to God. While the voices laughed me to ridicule, I began to feel the presence of Jesus and it brought much comfort. I walked out of that fog and deception through God’s help and finally got back to a place of normalcy, but with a whole new world view, and a passion for people to know Christ.
He was good to me, he was kind to me, he never condemned me in this journey, he only invited me into a better way of life, while comforting me along the way.
I eventually felt called into ministry. I got married and Sara and I moved away from Atlanta area to go to ministry school, with the intention of coming home and planting a church, which we did. We planted Forward Church in our home in 2008, and we’re still going. We now have hundreds of people coming to our church to hear the good news about the kindness and compassion of Christ and how he can help you in your darkest places.
I have written several books, developed several courses and love spending my time with people, helping them craft a discipleship plan for their lives.
We have two wonderful children, who are adults now, and we’re looking forward to the future.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Choosing at an early age to devote our lives to the ministry and building up the body of Christ was an easy decision, and for the most part has been easy and light. We made conservative personal financial decisions to ensure a stable foundation, and we never tried to grow the church beyond the provision the Lord supplied. The most challenging aspect is when people are hurting, but you can’t help them. I will say letting yourself stretch and grow can be difficult. When things become comfortable, it’s easy to coast and not lean into the increase that the Lord wants to birth through you. My own limiting beliefs have been the biggest struggles. But he is kind and continues to supply grace for strength.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Forward Church?
We are focused on helping people become established in the finished work of Christ and God’s love for them. We are called to help people discover their own calling in the kingdom of God and walk that out. We are not interested in people coming to our church to serve our vision, I want to help people discover their own vision and calling, and then walk arm in arm as we serve God and people together.
Any big plans?
We recently purchased land and are in the planning phase for a new building in Sharpsburg. We aim to develop a mental health ministry to meet the needs of our community. We transform through mind renewal, and scripture is the most effective resource for renewing our minds and experiencing personal growth. It covers every area of life. We are excited to be a resource in our community, meeting the practical needs of a church community, and to be a beacon of hope for transformation in the Lord.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.forward.church and www.clintbyars.com
- Instagram: @forwardchurchga
- Facebook: @forwardchurchga
- Twitter: @forwardchurchga
- Youtube: @forwardchurchga
- Soundcloud: @forwardchurchga
