Meet Brian Holland | Founder, Pastor, Dreamer, Yes-Sayer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Holland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
In July 2006, prior to starting The Phoenix Community of Atlanta in September of 2007, I felt undeniably impressed by God to create a new church for a people who were the left overs and left outs. Feeling emboldened by God’s vision for me and and seeing a new and exciting direction for my 20 years in youth ministry, I set out to pour this “new wine” into the well patterned tried-and-true “old wineskin” of the legacy style evangelical church which I had loved and served for two decades. I was met with a surprising amount of resistance and skepticism for what I considered a call from God. Status Quo is the vowed enemy of new vision I came to realize.

It wasn’t until I personally met Dr. Charles Stanely, Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Atlanta that I was emblazoned and galvanized in my spirit and calling to follow Jesus, with my family in tow, onto this new frontier of mission and ministry. The Phoenix Community of Atlanta was to be a church for a specific and underserved group of people in our society and churches. The name itself was one I knew that God had given me as it represented the type of person Jesus Christ was always looking to build relationship with. The Phoenix person. A person who is broken and burnt up. One who is in desperate need of “rising up” out of the ashes of a charred life.

I was flailing as I had my feet on both sides of the fence of ministry when I greeted Dr. Stanley and he looked into my heart and asked, “Brian what are you dreaming?” I had to say it, “I know God has called me to start a church to broken and hurting people.” He pressed in by asking, “What are you afraid of?” I couldn’t hold back my honest, guttural response. “Well. I guess I am afraid of everything I have to lose,” I said.

Then he said to me what has become my mantra, my life, and my true belief of what it means to follow God and experience His love and friendship. He said, “Brian! Don’t you know that God will take responsibility for all of the consequences of a heart that is fully devoted to Him?”

I said to Dr. Stanely, “Well. I guess I didn’t know that because I know I haven’t been living like that. But it was exactly what I needed to stiffen my spine and give me a Joshua like courage to step out and do exactly what God told me to do in the summer 2006. That was nearly 15 years ago. What a ride it has been.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
“Most vision is born out of need,” said Dr. Samuel Chand from his book, Bigger Faster Leadership. Our need was that completely ran out of money in late 2008 after the greatest economic collapse of our lifetime. Yet we didn’t feel released from the budding new style ministry to which God led us to start. In order have any chance to stay solvent we would endure the hardest years of our lives. All our wives went back to work full time to carry the burden of insurance and income. All of our worked second jobs to make ends meet. We shared one salary and only got our percentage after all the bills were paid at the end of each month. In the midst of these intense challenges we started a coffee company designed to create revenue and margin while fostering community. There is some PTSD from these years of blood, sweat, and tears but mostly we have the fondest of memories of how desperately dependent we were on the provision and protection of God and how He never once let us down.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Best Coffee and Nitro Infused Cold Brew and Craft Beverages – Phoenix Roasters Best World Champion Baseball and entertainment – Atlanta Braves and the Battery
Best Soul Food meets Gourmet – Atlanta Breakfast Club
Favorite Brewery – Good Word Duluth and Stillfire in Suwanee
Best Steak and all things Bacon _ Uncle Jack’s Meat House Duluth, Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners, and Roswell.
Highlands, N.C. – Best overnight or weekend trip for hiking and shopping
Athens GA – National Championship college football and tailgating

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
No doubt I lived a ying yang childhood meaning I had the brightest light for parents and family as a whole. Certainly shout out to my parents, Tommy and Mimi Holland who have been married 60 years! Also their parents, my grandparents all had profound influence on my life. I’ve had the privilege of many mentors in my life including my former youth pastors Larry and Anna Lawrence. It is impossible to shout out to all those who have spurred me on along life’s journey. Jerrill Sprinkle and Ken Morrow are dear to me as they have poured relentlessly into me as Jesus loving business and family men. But There is no way I’m here without my wife Ginney who is my Wonder Woman, my children Emily and Duke and their spouses Zach and Sinclaire. Last but definitely not least are the pastors who have said “Yes” to this crazy dream we embarked upon nearly 15 years ago. Without the courageous dedication of Jeff Bagwell and Greg Sweatt, and Wes Patterson we wouldn’t be here. All of our pastors and their families are amazing in their loyalty and love for the broken up and burnt up.

Website: https://phoenixroasters.coffee

Instagram: @phoenixroasters

Facebook: @phoenixroasterscoffee

Image Credits
OneNine Images Emily Ryan Photography Zach Ryan Studios Zach Pickholtz