Two Year
Ministry Plan

Navigating circumstances like divorce, the loss of a loved one, or caring for someone with a disability or special needs is challenging for anyone. However, it’s particularly difficult for kids and teens when their families are facing one of these complex issues. That’s why we have Ascend.

This summer, 56 children and teens attended Ascend—a weeklong program designed to give students a safe place and opportunity to process and discuss the common experiences associated with grief, divorce, and caregiving. Each day, students came and participated in fun, outdoor activities; met in groups based on their age, gender, and reason for attending; and were able to learn how they are not alone and that God cares for them in the midst of a difficult circumstance. Leaders were also able to give students practical ways to cope with the emotions that inevitably come along with these complex and challenging situations.

It was a blessing to see these kids come together, have fun, and be able to open up to their leaders and one another. It was also amazing to see how our church community came together to support this program. Community groups and individual members provided lunch daily for the kids, and our Mosaic Inspire community helped get gifts ready for the students to receive when they arrived. All these efforts came together to show the love of Jesus to these children and teens. Will you join us in thanking God for the work he has done and pray for continued growth?

Over the past several years, we have offered re:generation—a 12-step discipleship process oriented around life change and hope through the application of God’s Word. The re:gen program has been a valuable tool, and we’ve seen many lives changed as participants have found freedom from sin and hope in the gospel.

Re:generation originated from Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, and we were excited to be able to host their re:generation Regional Conference this month here at Grace. Nearly 200 people representing 28 churches from 13 different states attended the two-day conference.

Sessions covered several helpful topics: launching re:gen, managing group dynamics, building a re:gen culture, leadership development, and more. Both Watermark and Grace leaders were able to offer insight and experience to participants, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to connect with believers from around the region.

If you would like to learn more about re:generation or sign up, click below.

Over the past few years, Grace Church Housing has experienced rapid growth, and we are excited to see how God will continue to work through this discipleship effort. In late 2021, Grace had the opportunity to purchase an apartment complex from Greenville Tech. When this purchase is complete, we will be able to expand the scope of our housing ministry exponentially, serving hundreds of residents in a collaborative, supportive community. This means that we will be partnering with other non-profits like Mill Village and Jasmine Road, as well as Grace members looking for an intentional and missional living situation. Growing this community will also decrease the cost for each individual, thus strengthening their financial stability during this 2.5 - 3 year transitional period.

We are thankful to play a small role in helping alleviate some of the challenges caused by a lack of affordable housing in the Upstate, and we are committed to seeing housing become part of the discipleship process for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. To hear more about why we believe this ministry is so important, click the video below to hear Bill White explain the vision behind Grace Housing.

Will you join us in prayer for this growing ministry? And there are already many opportunities to serve, whether through donations, warehouse organization, or resident support. To learn more about our housing ministry and how you can get involved, click below.

Over the summer, Grace was able to host two Ascend summer camps—one at our Powdersville campus and one at Pelham. Ascend is a week-long program for children and teens who have experienced the divorce of their parents or the loss of a loved one. We are thankful that over 40 children and teens participated this summer.

During their week at camp, kids spent time outside engaging in fun activities like water games, building connections with their leaders and each other. They also participated in group activities and discussions that addressed the specific hardships they were facing, and our leaders consistently pointed them to Christ and showed them love every step of the way. It was truly a blessing to see children and teens who were experiencing the isolation of a difficult season come together, break down barriers, and build community.

A few of our small group leaders had this to say about Ascend:

"The strength these kids have and show has impressed, almost astounded me. They are coping with situations, issues, questions, and feelings that have crushed older, more mature persons. These ‘little children’ have indeed humbled, taught, and inspired me." - Cleatus Blackmon

"I love getting to serve in Ascend/DC4T because I am inspired by the willingness of the students to show up and see how the Holy Spirit works in tangible ways throughout our time together." - Alison Little

We hope you will pray for all those who participated—that God would continue to work in their lives. If you know someone who could use this kind of support during a difficult season, click below to learn more about our Care ministries, including support for kids and teens.

An important facet of our Care & Recovery ministry at Grace Church is re:generation. Re:generation is a 12-step discipleship process oriented around life change and hope through the application of God’s Word.

Over the past year, the isolation and disruption of the pandemic have had a significant negative impact on many who struggle with addiction. We have seen many who grapple with control, anger, pornography, and similar process addictions, as well as an increase in relapses to drug and alcohol addiction. We are so thankful that our re:gen ministry is in place to help those who are struggling in this way.

Re:gen has helped countless members of our church and community find help, support, and hope in Christ. We celebrate that this year alone, 130 people have graduated from the re:gen program. There are currently 360 participants and 30 mentors who are walking through this journey of hope and recovery.

We are also excited that re:gen is now available at our Pelham, Harrison Bridge, and Anderson campuses—we will also be launching soon in Powdersville! As you pray for this ministry, know that re:gen is not just for those struggling with addiction. It is for all who are broken and dealing with sin to find hope in the gospel—that is all of us. To learn more about re:gen, click below.

What is your job title? Care and Recovery Coordinator (for kids and teens)

How did you get to Grace? My family and I moved to Greenville in 2016 to be near family. My husband, Asa, visited Grace first. What stood out to him was the teaching, humility of the church, and the Mosaic ministry. Our son has disabilities, and we had been churching separately for three years so one of us could stay home with him. After attending the first time with my husband, it was clear Grace was where we were supposed to be and now our whole family attends church together, grows together, and serves together. It is a wonderful blessing.

What do you enjoy most about your job? My favorite part of my job is seeing the ways in which God uses leaders, stretches them and seeing the ways in which they grow closer to Christ because they are serving.

What campus do you attend and what is your favorite thing about it? We attend the Pelham campus. My favorite things about this campus is the community we have built and serving in Mosaic Grouplife.

What are you most excited about right now? The way the Lord is working in the hearts of leaders, kids and students through the care and recovery ministry.

What is one interesting thing about you? I have moved to 10 different cities. Eight of those were in different states.

No parent ever foresees or is prepared to receive a terminal diagnosis for their child. Unfortunately, this is a reality that some parents face. One of the most difficult aspects of this journey is explaining death to your child.

Grace has recently published a children’s book that addresses this complex issue. In Caterpillar Coach, we follow the story of Sam, a young boy who is terminally ill. Sam is able to have open conversations with his parents and think about the transition from death to eternal life by talking about his caterpillar, which transforms into a butterfly.

This narrative is rich with gospel truth, and the book also provides reflective questions to help parents and children talk about death with openness and hope in Christ. If you or anyone you know could benefit from this book, click below to purchase through Amazon.

This July, our Care Ministries were able to provide a summer camp—Ascend—for teens and children who are experiencing the loss of a loved one or the divorce of their parents. Through Ascend, teens and children going through a difficult period in their lives were able to experience community, learn biblical truths, discuss coping skills, and find hope, all in the context of a safe, loving environment.

The campers worked through age-appropriate curriculum, and leaders were able to come alongside them to help them process their thoughts and emotions. In addition to seeing personal growth in their individual lives, these kids were also able to simply have fun with each other and their leaders through various outdoor activities.

We are so thankful for our leaders and volunteers who made this ministry possible. We hope you’ll join us in prayer for these kids as they move forward.

To learn more about Care Ministries at Grace for children, teens, and adults, click below.

Dr. Carson Felkel, the lead physician from Bon Secours Behavioral Health, further equipped our staff today in assessing suicide risk and learning to identify mental health issues while caring for our members and their families. We also heard from Ken Bickel about Family Grace and the support it offers to family members.

Family Grace is a family support care group we offer for families and spouses of those with a loved one dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health difficulty or disorders. Click below to learn more about our care groups and to sign up if you are interested in being a part.