Savannah Christian Church will become Compassion Christian Church as of this Sunday.

The church — with average weekly attendance of more than 8,200 — meets in three locations in Savannah, one in Rincon and one in Statesboro. The church offers services in both English and Spanish. A location in Midway opens in September.

The church is currently finishing construction at nearly every location, opening a new 2,100-seat worship center at its largest Savannah location, student buildings at its Rincon and East Savannah locations, a completely new campus in Statesboro and the relocation of the downtown campus to the Savannah Theater.

The church changed its name for several reasons, according to Senior Pastor Cam Huxford. As it expanded outside of Savannah, the church needed a name that was not geographically limiting. The church was also often confused with Savannah Christian Preparatory School.

“The primary reason for the change, however, is simply that we have always been known as a compassionate church,” Huxford said. “For more than 50 years, we’ve gone across the street and around the world to do what Jesus did: show compassion to others. We need a name that says who we are rather than just where we are.”

The church partners with ministries across the region to feed and clothe those in need, to serve at-risk youth, to help assimilate refugees from around the world, and to support foster and adoptive families. Compassion Christian also partners with ministries around the world to plant churches, care for widows and orphans, provide fresh water, and build schools and medical facilities.

“Everyone is welcome here. If you come, you are going to feel right at home,” Huxford said. “And it won’t be long before you figure out that ‘church’ is about so much more than what happens here on Sundays. It’s about being the church, walking out these doors and doing what Jesus did, caring for people.”