In this episode, Scott is in the studio with Matt and Vicki Williams, Bill White, and Tom Merritt to celebrate 30 years of Grace Church by remembering how it all started. We are overwhelmed by God’s kindness and provision to our church over the years, and we hope these stories will lead us collectively to worship the Lord for his faithfulness to us.
Grace Church began with a simple desire—to offer expositional teaching, worship shaped by Scripture, and meaningful discipleship within community in the Upstate of South Carolina. From its grassroots beginnings, the church has reflected the truth of Ephesians 4, as individuals use their diverse gifts to strengthen and build up the body of Christ. Through all the growth, our mission of making disciples has never wavered, and we want to take time to remember God’s kindness and provision to our church over the years.
The first service of Grace Church is held at the Merritts’ home in downtown Easley.
Grace Church holds its first baptism service and launches the women’s ministry. As the church grows, Grace temporarily moves to Grandma Peaches Café (formerly Ballew’s), then to the Hyatt in Downtown Greenville, the Cleveland Street YMCA, and J.L. Mann High School in 1997.
Grace introduces its first men’s retreat, followed by the first international mission trip (Costa Rica) and domestic mission trip (Tennessee). The church moves back to the Cleveland Street YMCA before receiving the Pelham property as a gracious gift from the elders of Metropolitan Baptist Church.
Foundations, student ministry, and Senior Honor are launched, along with the first Men’s Roundtable study: The Quest for Authentic Manhood. Grace also introduces the first community group leaders retreat and begins mission work in Nicaragua.
As the church continues to grow, the worship center is completed at the Pelham campus, a special needs ministry begins, and a Saturday service is introduced.
New campuses are launched in Downtown Greenville and Powdersville. Missions begin in Kenya and Allendale. The Children’s Center at Pelham is completed, Kairos ministry is launched, and three more MRT studies are published. Grace also begins its first involvement in Hands On Greenville Day and hosts its first parenting conference.
The Espinosa family partners with local churches in Allendale, and Grace supports a member family ministering in Papua New Guinea. Ezer publishes new studies, a new campus is launched at Harrison Bridge, and God provides the Downtown campus with a permanent building.
Grace Church takes its first trip to Israel. The Español campus is launched along with new campuses in Spartanburg and Anderson. Campuses in Powdersville and Harrison Bridge each get permanent buildings. Both MRT and Ezer publish new studies.
Grace hosts the Cultivate conference and establishes partnerships with Homes of Hope, JUMPSTART, Project Hope, and Jasmine Road. The re|engage ministry is launched, along with new campuses in Greer and Travelers Rest. The Spartanburg and Español campuses each get permanent buildings.
Grace establishes a Charleston church plant (Grace City Church), launches Bridge premarital ministry, and drops a worship album: Sing to the Lord. The Taylors campus is launched, and God provides funds for Anderson and Greer permanent building renovations to be completed.
The Travelers Rest campus moves to a permanent location, and Grace hosts its first Equip Conference for churches around the Upstate. Community groups work through Race, Justice, & the Scriptures, and a new partnership with local churches in Israel is formed. Grace purchases land in Anderson County for a natural burial site.
Grace Church celebrates Pentecost for the first time, two new original worship albums are released: No One Else and Church Arise, and the Grace Church Members Podcast is launched. Inspire Coffee House opens to provide employment and discipleship for adults with disabilities.
Front Porch Housing is established as a separate, nonprofit supportive community. Grace en Español is renamed as Iglesia Gracia, and we celebrate 20 years of partnership in Nicaragua. Property near our Pelham campus is acquired for Central office space and named Johnston Crossing.
