In 1970 the pastor of Sierra Madre Congregational Church (near Pasadena CA) decided he had become an atheist. The congregation left in droves, went across the street and formed a new church, Bethany, which thrives to this day.
Meanwhile, the small remnant hired the youth pastor from Pasadena's Lake Avenue Congregational Church, Richard Anderson, who on his first Sunday preached to sixteen people including his wife and three sons. He retired recently after forty years of leading over 1,000 people to the Lord just by himself.
Moreover, his longtime Evangelism Minister, Dr. Hugh Ross, eventually founded Reasons to Believe (Reasons.org), which conservatively is responsible worldwide for leading at least one million to saving faith in Jesus.
Amazing, Thanks for the testimony!