Two Year
Ministry Plan

The number of people with dementia is on the rise, and for each person diagnosed, care is required. Many families are functioning as caregivers without any education or training, which leaves them vulnerable to confusion, fear, frustration, and ultimately, burnout. One way Grace is seeking to support these families is through Understanding Dementia—a Grace Institute equipping class designed to help families and caregivers of those impacted by dementia gain a better understanding of the disease.

We were able to partner with the staff of The Gardens to offer Understanding Dementia this past spring, and over 50 people participated. The class covered basic dementia education, practical coping strategies, local resources, a dementia experience, and the opportunity to ask specific questions about dementia to professionals in the field.

One couple who took the class had this to say about their experience:

Understanding Dementia provided us with explanations about how dementia changes a person’s brain—giving us a better understanding about the changes we saw in my dad’s capabilities and his behaviors. It also gave us an opportunity to ask questions, share our experiences, and receive useful resources and support that we so desperately needed.

I have struggled a lot in my new role as a caregiver for my dad, and this class provided me a safe place to express my emotions, to be open about the challenges we are facing, and to feel accepted and understood. The dementia professionals presented the material with compassion and happily shared their knowledge and experience with everyone in the class.

What a blessing to come alongside families so they can be fully known and loved in a challenging season. If you are interested in learning more about Understanding Dementia or other classes related to caregiving, please email Julia Eldred at [email protected].

We have staff members in both campus staff and support staff roles all over the Upstate! We want you to get to know some of them as you stay updated with what’s happening at Grace Church.

What brought you to Grace Church?

Scofield Foster and I were friends in college together at the University of South Carolina. He and I stayed in touch through the years, and he told me about a job leading 7th and 8th graders for 24Seven in 2016.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Two things: One—seeing people make significant steps towards following Jesus in a more real and authentic way is very encouraging and motivating. Two—helping our church think strategically about how to make mature disciples more effectively is fun work for me.

What is your favorite thing about your campus?

I love how ready members of the Spartanburg campus are to step up and bear one another’s burdens in tangible ways whether that is through providing a meal, supporting someone who has experienced difficult loss, cutting someone’s grass, giving financially in secret, and praying diligently for our body’s needs. They are ready because that is what they have committed their lives to.

What are you most excited about right now?

Opportunities for ministry in hurting places in our community that our members are eager to jump into. Bringing Families Count to our campus in the fall to partner with birth parents who need support and housing ministry needs through Front Porch and Homes of Hope are chances for us to really get in the weeds with people and live out what we believe.

What is one interesting thing about you?

I have some good dance moves that I’ll break out in celebration of my oldest daughter Lily going to the bathroom in the toilet. That is the only way they happen though!

For the first time in over four years, Grace Church was able to send a medical team to Chinadega, Nicaragua this past week. The team of 24 covenant members from across all of our campuses consisted of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, a dental hygienist, and a number of willing servants who filled various roles throughout the different areas of the clinic. The scope of ministry included vision consults and glasses where appropriate, dental cleanings and evaluations, dental education, and a full-scale pharmacy where more than 1,200 prescriptions were filled during the week. More than 500 patients were seen, and many were receptive to the gospel.

The team also participated in children’s ministry and continued the Pastor & Leader Training that has been ongoing in Chinandega since last year with more than 60 participants throughout the week. It was also exciting to share the week with Mary Ezzell, a serving partner based out of our Español campus, who is living in Nicaragua and serving alongside our ministry partners, Christ for the City International.

What a blessing to be back in Nicaragua, working alongside fellow believers and showing Jesus’ love to those in need. Please join us in thanking God for all he has done in and through this team! If you want to learn more about International Missions at Grace and see opportunities for future mission trips, click below.

Grace currently has six serving partners—covenant members who serve full-time in missions and are actively involved at Grace Church.

One of these partners is Rob Allen, a member of the Anderson campus who serves as a chaplain for Army ROTC at Clemson University as part of Frontline Leadership. Frontline Leadership is a ministry that provides leadership development and authentic community for ROTC cadets by fostering heart-level change through the tangible application of the gospel. Rob recently shared an update about the context and mission of Frontline Leadership, how they are working to disciple the next generation of leaders, and how we can pray for them. Click the video below to hear Rob’s story. To learn more about our serving partners at Grace, click below.

One of our core values is being Courageously Generous, and over the past year, Grace has developed Money Matters—a new class designed to equip our members to live out this value. The purpose of Money Matters is to help participants renew their mindset concerning personal finance, become good and faithful stewards of the resources God has given them, and bring him glory through their money as well as their lives. Participants also walk through practical topics like budgeting and debt management.

One couple had this to say about their experience taking the class:

The Money Matters class really helped shift our perspective—we realized that our finances are a direct reflection of our desire to be comfortable. Although we may not have chosen to be in the position we’re in financially, we can choose to work towards financial freedom. Remaining comfortable would mean we are not being good stewards of the resources we have now. Through the class, we’ve been able to create some realistic next steps for us as a family to work towards our goals financially, and ultimately work towards being courageously generous in our giving.

We live in a culture of consumerism that glorifies materialism, so it is challenging to align the way we think about money with God’s Word. And the Bible is clear that how we manage our money is a reflection of our hearts. We are thankful for this resource to direct our hearts and minds in the area of personal finance. If you are interested in taking Money Matters, click below to see our upcoming course offerings. If you have questions or are interested in helping facilitate future classes, email [email protected].

Last fall, Grace Anderson launched NEXT—a ministry designed to engage college students in a way that tethers them to the local church and grows them as followers of Christ during a pivotal season of life. It has been exciting to see how this ministry has grown over its first full year.

Students from Anderson University, Clemson University, and a few other schools have come together for teaching and equipping events, as well as worship nights and times of fellowship. Each student who becomes part of NEXT gets placed into a group, and we currently have three groups of 14-16 students each. Groups are led by leaders who are in the next season of life and ready to pour into these college students.

One team of leaders had this to say about their experience:

Leading a NEXT group has been such a blessing and encouragement. In the first year of our group, we have witnessed students open up to true biblical community, become faithful serving members in the local body, and learn to study the Bible. The students who meet in our home every Tuesday have become our family!

As this school year has wrapped up, it’s been a blessing to see how God has grown this community of college students, both individually and corporately. Many have attended Discovery and are serving, and many are also moving towards membership. Please pray with us for this next generation of leaders in our churches and communities. If you want to learn more about NEXT or get involved, please email Dillon Carpenter at [email protected].

We are committed to serving orphans and vulnerable children in our community. One way our Spartanburg campus has embraced this mission is through a collaboration with other community partners to refurbish Spartanburg County’s DSS visitation rooms. Our local DSS staff work tirelessly to serve children in foster care and their families, and we were excited to be able to support their efforts through this project. These visitation rooms are used for children in foster care to visit with their biological families, and our goal was to make them warm, clean, and welcoming spaces.

Volunteers from our Spartanburg campus worked to remove old furniture, paint, and move in new rugs and furniture. They also provided toys and other items to make the rooms welcoming—one of our members even painted original artwork with a unique theme for each room! The funds for three of the rooms were donated by community partners, and the Spartanburg campus provided funds for the fourth room.

What a blessing to be able to show Jesus’ love in a tangible way! There are lots of opportunities to serve through our Foster & Adopt ministry. If you are interested in getting involved, click below to learn more.

This weekend, we were excited to celebrate Pentecost for the first time as a church body. Pentecost is an important Christian tradition that points us towards the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost means “50,” marking 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, and it was the day that changed everything for the newly born Church. Before then, the believers who made up the body of Christ had faith in the resurrected Jesus and trust in God the Father. But on that day, God poured out the Holy Spirit to dwell within them, granting them the most compelling power available to mankind and changing the landscape of the Church forever.

We celebrate Pentecost because that same Spirit resides within us—binding us together in a unity that transcends any earthly difference. Through the Spirit, we receive power to live transformed lives on mission for Christ.

Click below to check out our webpage dedicated to Pentecost. There, you will find the teaching, study questions, and other helpful resources.

One organization we partner with to provide support for international refugees is World Relief—a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement.

Since last fall, a group of volunteers from Grace has operated as a Good Neighbor Team to support a family of 10 Afghan refugees. A Good Neighbor Team undergoes training through World Relief and works to support refugees as they acclimate and adjust to their new environment. These volunteers have walked with this family through the entire process of arriving in the area, to navigating government paperwork, to understanding the education system. Even more importantly, they offer friendship and community—seeking to show God’s love to those in need.

We are currently in the process of forming a second Good Neighbor Team so we can support additional families in the area. Will you join us in prayer around this effort to serve refugees? If you are interested in learning more about this partnership and how you can get involved, please email us at [email protected].

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? - James 2:14-16 (NLT)

As a church, we want to show the love of Christ in tangible ways, particularly to the vulnerable, marginalized, and under-resourced in our communities. One opportunity God has given us is through the establishment of Front Porch Housing—a two-year supportive housing program designed to help individuals and families in crisis build a firm foundation with the goals of continued sobriety, gainful employment, financial independence, and spiritual maturity.

This past month, we were able to purchase an apartment complex from Greenville Technical College, and both staff and volunteers are hard at work getting these apartments ready for our housing residents.

We believe Front Porch Housing will not only serve those who need affordable housing and community support, but that it will also provide countless discipleship opportunities for our church body. Will you join us in prayer for the future of Front Porch Housing? To hear Teaching Pastor Bill White give an overview of this new endeavor, click the video below. To learn more about Front Porch Housing and how you can get involved, click below.

Kairos interns are here for the summer, and we are excited! These young men and women will spend the summer across all our campuses working alongside Grace staff in various ministries, taking classes, and serving our church body. Be sure you take time to get to know the interns at your campus, and please join us in prayer as we invest in the next generation of leaders. Click the video below to learn a little bit about this year’s Kairos interns!

We are a family of local congregations, and there’s a lot going on across all our campuses right now. Grace Church exists to make mature followers of Jesus, and God has opened pathways for us to pursue this mission in many different ways. Click the video below to hear several of our campus pastors give updates about what’s happening at their campus.

Through our Senior Honor ministry, Grace Church volunteers provide worship services, build one-on-one relationships, and facilitate other opportunities at elder care communities across the Upstate. Our Harrison Bridge campus’ partnership with Fairview Park has been flourishing in recent months, and we’re excited to see Grace members connect with residents in unique ways.

Recently, volunteers and their families hosted a “Teddy Bear Story Hour” for residents, and it was a big hit with all who participated! Each resident received a teddy bear from a child, and then the residents and children read books and colored together. There is always a special connection between children and grandparents, and even though these individuals aren’t biologically related, that special connection was evident in the smiles on their faces.

Along with more special activities, Harrison Bridge volunteers will soon move from hosting services once a month to twice monthly. What a blessing to be able to include those of our church body who cannot physically attend church. We want our Senior Honor members to know they are valuable, loved, and cared for. Will you join us in praying for this ministry? If you’re interested in learning more about Senior Honor or volunteering at your campus, click below.

We are a family of local congregations, and there’s a lot going on across all our campuses right now. Grace Church exists to make mature followers of Jesus, and God has opened pathways for us to pursue this mission in many different ways. Click the video below to hear several of our campus pastors give updates about what’s happening at their campus. Stay tuned for the remaining updates!

Summer is fast approaching, and while ministry in Allendale County is ongoing throughout the year, summer is a focused time when we serve alongside our partners in Allendale through Camp Impact.

This past month, we were excited to host our annual Junior Staff Retreat. Junior staffers are high school students from both Allendale and the Upstate who are paid staff members that help run Camp Impact. During this retreat, camp staff came together to plan for the summer, build relationships and team unity, sit under biblical teaching, and prepare their hearts for a summer of service. The retreat took place in Anderson this year, and teaching and discussions focused on the idea of trust—are we trusting in ourselves, the world, or Jesus?

Our Anderson campus Just Serve volunteers helped lead the retreat participants through some team-building exercises, and they also got to attend church in Anderson on Sunday. Overall, it was a weekend full of learning, fun, community, and anticipation for the summer ahead.

41 people attended:

• 6 Camp Staff members (college age leaders)
• 8 Forge Junior Staff members (high school students from Grace)
• 13 Allendale Junior Staff members (high school students from Allendale)
• 14 leaders (past camp staff and junior staff members)

This retreat represents years of investment in young people—both here in the Upstate and in Allendale County. Our desire is to disciple the next generation not only to lead themselves well, but also to lead others and point them to the transformative power of the gospel. Will you join us in praying for God to work through all the ministry happening in Allendale County this summer?

To learn more about our partnerships in Allendale County, click below.

Last month, our Greer campus hosted a movie night for the special needs community. This event was volunteer driven, and they pulled out all the stops! Individuals from our Mosaic community and friends of our serving partner David’s Table, along with their families, arrived to a red carpet, amazing decorations, concessions, and an all around great time enjoying one another. While participants got to watch Sing 2, their families also had an opportunity to connect with one another and enjoy some down time.

Over 50 folks got to experience this event, and over 35 volunteers made sure it was a special night for all involved. The bulk of volunteers for the movie night were young adults in their 20s and 30s, and it was also a unique opportunity for them to get to know each other as they served their community.

A few volunteers had this to say about the event:

“When I saw the big smiles on everyone that walked through our doors, I knew that every minute of preparation was well worth it. God creates everyone in his own image, and that night, we were able to celebrate that.”

“It was a night of perspective for me—just taking in all the joy through their laughter and spirit was absolutely contagious. It was a reminder of how encouraging it is to let His joy spill over into my life each day because He is that good!”

This is how discipleship happens—in community, life on life, serving one another. We are thankful for our Greer campus and all they do to pour God’s love into the community! To learn more about Grace Church Greer, click below.

We have staff members in both campus staff and support staff roles all over the Upstate! We want you to get to know some of them as you stay updated with what’s happening at Grace Church.

What brought you to Grace Church?

My wife Lauren was worshiping and serving at Grace when we got engaged. I joined her and became a member in 2012. We spent a year at the Powdersville campus before I did our residency program at our Harrison Bridge campus. And I’ve stayed around since.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My favorite part of my job is seeing members of our church plug into serving and leading roles, being equipped for ministry, and using their gifts and faith to impact others around them.

What is your favorite thing about your campus?

I love the energy of our Downtown campus. We have such a committed group of members that are eager to own the cause of the church, serve, and help make disciples of those God is bringing to us.

What are you most excited about right now?

I’m most excited about the upcoming outreach opportunities our campus will have through the Grace Housing efforts, and other ministry partners that are so close to Downtown. I know it’ll change our members' lives as we sacrifice to create pathways into the Kingdom of God.

What is one interesting thing about you?

My favorite hobby currently (when we are not renovating our house) is men's league soccer. It’s a competitive outlet for me that reenergizes me for family and work life. It’s also producing a lot of injuries for me currently. It seems I need to stretch more.

Exciting things are happening at Grace en Español, and one facet of their growth is the launch of re:generation. Those going through re:gen are among the first Spanish speaking participants ever to experience the curriculum, and we are very thankful to be working with Watermark Church in Dallas, TX to pilot the Spanish version of re:gen. To hear the full update from Robby Richard, our Grace en Español campus pastor, click the video below. To learn more about Grace en Español, click below.