The founder of one of the United Methodist Church's fastest-growing congregations in the US has announced plans to retire at the age of 43.
Olu Brown launched Impact Church in Atlanta in Georgia 14 years ago with just 25 volunteers. The church now has a weekly attendance of 2,400 people in-person and 1,600 online.
Pastor Olu made the announcement on Sunday saying he will step down in June 2022, adding it wasn't an easy decision.
In a video posted to YouTube, he said he had set out a ten-year plan in the church and spoke of some of his church's achievements such as ushering hundreds of people to receive salvation.
"Impact is part of my call and when God gave me the opportunity to partner with 25 launch team volunteers to start this ministry, I knew there would come a time where God would call me beyond Impact Church."
During his retirement Pastor Olu will help launch a new non-profit organisation and focus on coaching.
His website said: "The transitional year...will be a very exciting time as Olu and the next lead pastor work together to launch a new non-profit organisation, manage capital campaigns for building expansion, and lead staff, lay teams, community stakeholders and thousands of Impactors to the next levels of influence.
"Olu is passionate about helping other leaders, teams and organisations grow into the best versions of themselves. Through his companies; Culverhouse LLC and Olu Brown Enterprises he will focus on individual and group coaching, speaking and will continue authoring books while leveraging the nearly two decades of invaluable experience he has gained."
The new pastor of Impact Church will be appointed by the bishop of the North Georgia conference, Sue Haupert-Johnson.