Altar City Church
About 
Our Beliefs
“We believe in one sovereign and holy God, who is beyond human comprehension and worthy of all worship, obedience, and devotion. God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons in one divine essence.
We affirm that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the promised Messiah, and the fulfillment of all Scripture. He is the eternal Son of God, through whom all things were created, and the only means of salvation for humanity.
We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God and the foundation for all truth. From beginning to end, Scripture points to Jesus Christ as its central figure.
Salvation is not earned by human effort but is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is the greatest news the world will ever know. “
Our Story
Rooted in Hebrews 13, the name "Altar City" symbolizes our access to a better altar through Christ. Just as Christ's sacrifice transcends the need for animal sacrifices, our lives are called to be living sacrifices, yielding good works and care for those in need.
Altar City Church was planted in 2024 by Pastor MJ Maldonado and his wife Stephanie. With a rich history of ministry, including the establishment of the Gather Round ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Idaho, Pastor MJ brings a wealth of experience and passion to Altar City. Their family, including daughter Maylia and a baby on the way, is deeply committed to the vision of Altar City Church.
Meet the Team
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MJ Maldonado
Senior Pastor
Pastor MJ Maldonado has been serving the next generation and the local church for over a decade. For 8 years, he faithfully pastored youth and young adults in both Charlotte, North Carolina, and Idaho—investing in countless lives and raising up leaders with a passion for Jesus. During this time, he founded Gather Round, a national young adult ministry dedicated to creating spaces for authentic community, deep discipleship, and biblical literacy in the next generation.
An alumnus of Liberty University, Pastor MJ and his wife Stephanie now call Lynchburg, Virginia home, where they are raising their three beautiful children—two daughters, Maylia and Vail, and their son, Rain.
In 2024, Pastor MJ launched Altar City Church in Lynchburg with a clear and urgent mission: winning souls and growing disciples. His heart beats for seeing people far from God come to know Christ personally, and for equipping believers to live on mission every day.
In addition to pastoring, Pastor MJ serves with the American Association of Christian Counselors, helping to equip Christian counselors nationwide with the resources, training, and advocacy they need to serve with excellence and biblical integrity.
Though he now pastors full-time, Pastor MJ continues to travel and speak at youth camps and young adult ministries across the country, encouraging the next generation to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Whether preaching, mentoring, or simply sharing life over a cup of coffee, Pastor MJ carries a heart for revival, community, and seeing every person step into the calling God has placed on their life.
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Dave Culp
Elder & Worship Leader
Originally from Akron, Ohio, Dave came to Lynchburg in 2008 to attend Liberty University, where he met his beautiful wife, Meg. They were married in 2010 and now have three wonderful children.
Dave serves as an elder and helps lead the worship team, often playing drums on Sunday mornings. He’s passionate about creating space for people to encounter God through worship and community. After graduating from Liberty, he worked there for five years before joining Framatome, where he currently works as a server engineer in IT Operations. -
Annelise Caldwell
ACC KIDS DIRECTOR
I've been married to my husband, John Mark, for three years. We live in downtown Lynchburg and love being right in the middle of everything. I’m the Children’s Director at Altar City Church, and it’s one of my favorite things I get to do. I love helping kids learn about who God is, how much He loves them and how He sees them. My heart is to teach them solid truth that sticks with them as they grow up. I believe that what we pour into them now will shape their faith for years to come. I’m so excited to be apart of all that God is doing in our kids and in our church!
Ready to see what Altar City Church is all about? We would love to meet you and hear more about your story. Click below to learn more about what to expect when visiting.
