Individuals are reaching their top potential with the Juniper Project at Madison Mission Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“The Juniper project connects people to each other and Christ,” project team leader Akua Opoku-Boateng said. The name symbolically reflects strength of the juniper tree.

The project uses “LifeGroups” that focus on study, support and play. “We create face-to-face relationships between people with like interests,” Opoku-Boateng said.

LifeGroups usually meet in homes and coffee shops and “find accountability to grow as a person and spiritually,” she said.

For four weeks, study groups use Christ-centered curriculum to find a spiritual gift to use for the community. Groups adopt one mission, such as building for Habitat for Humanity and working at the Downtown Rescue Mission.

Support groups help each other in topic-based meetings, dealing with sexual abuse, divorce recovery or addiction. Play groups are activity-based for get-togethers, like cycling or running.

In other ministry, YES (Youth Empowered to Serve) visit nursing homes, feed the homeless and help at the rescue mission. The evangelism team conducts Bible study in the community year-round.

Madison Mission’s Drum Corps has won a national competition in Florida for two years and perform at Huntsville Flight and Oakwood University basketball games. Path Finders teach life skills to first-graders through high school youth.

Madison Mission was founded in May 1995 as a small congregation, primarily college students. Attendance now ranges from 1,200 to 1,900. “We are a main feeder church to Oakwood University,” Opoku-Boateng said.

The congregation fed about 500 people daily after the 2011 tornado outbreak and delivered hygiene supplies to Harvest Boys and Girls Club.

Services include prayer meeting and youth Bible study at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. On the Sabbath (Saturday), prayer starts at 9 a.m., Sabbath school at 9:30 a.m. and divine worship at 11 a.m.

Rev. James Doggette Sr. is senior pastor. The staff includes Revs. Damian Chandler, associate pastor; Latoya Smythe-Forbes, administration; Jesse Wilson, church growth; Jonathan Thompson, community development; Jason Francis, youth and children; and Loreal McInnes, evangelism.

Madison Mission’s address is 183 Shelton Road. For information, call 256-464-9488, send email to Info@madisonmission.net or visit madisonmission.net, Facebook/MadisonMission or Twitter/MadisonMission.