What to expect

TEACHING STYLE

Because we are defined and directed by Scripture, our teaching content is based in the Bible, which we believe to be God’s Word. These sermons come in the form of series, often books of the Bible. Our campuses all share the same teaching each weekend. You can review prior teaching in our Resource Library or the Grace Church Teaching App.

MUSIC

We sing and worship as a way of celebrating the person and the work of God. He alone is worthy of our praise. We value corporate singing and choose songs that are based in God’s Word but also written in a way that is singable for entire congregations. Our musicians strive to play with excellence and serve our church through the songs we sing.

WHAT TO WEAR

At Grace Church, we generally dress casually, but feel free to wear what you are comfortable with.

Kids & Students

Grace Church Kids provides a safe and nurturing environment for your children. We do extensive background checks on our volunteers and have a thorough registration system to ensure that your children are safe and cared for. While they are with us, they will experience the truth of the Bible in a fun, exciting, and practical way.

Age-specific teaching, worship through song, and involvement in small groups are key components in impacting our students’ lives. In addition to weekly programming and small groups, students also have opportunities to participate in retreats, mission trips, and service projects to impact the local community.

Mosaic seeks to disciple individuals with special needs and disabilities more into the life of the church. We provide shadows and additional resources that might be needed for kids and students to be able to access the material and be discipled.

FAQ's

Is Grace Church affiliated with a denomination?

Grace Church is a non-denominational church, meaning we aren't affiliated with a larger governing denomination. All decisions affecting the spiritual direction of the church are made by the board of elders. We can be succinctly described as an evangelical church dedicated to accurate teaching and application of the Bible.

Who is your senior pastor?

Because Grace Church believes in the plurality of leadership, we do not have a senior pastor. As such, all decisions regarding the spiritual direction of the church and major financial and physical decisions are made by the board of elders. The board of elders executes decisions in plurality, meaning that all must agree, or a decision is tabled. Decisions, as they relate to the everyday function of the church, are made by the staff leadership in accordance with the spiritual direction set forth by the board of elders. Decisions are not made by vote of the church body, however, input and concerns are always welcome and considered.

Why We Don’t Have a Senior Pastor

How are elders elected and replaced?

There is no set number of elders, and the current board is always praying and considering additional elders as the church continues to grow. New elders are selected by the current board of elders, and the church body has an opportunity, prior to ordination of a new elder, to bring forth reasonable concern or agreement with the qualifications of the proposed elder. Once ordained, an elder remains on the board as long as he has a heart for eldership, effectively fulfills his responsibilities, and adheres to the qualifications of an elder set forth in 1 Timothy 3:2–7 and Titus 1:6–9.

Why are there multiple teachers at Grace Church?

Grace Church has a teaching team structure. Matt Williams—the founding pastor—and Bill White share the majority of the teaching responsibilities. However, there are several others, including campus pastors, who teach from time to time based on their spiritual gift in teaching and the subject matter.

How do I get connected at Grace Church?

The first step to getting involved is taking Discovery. Upon completion of Discovery, you can enroll in Foundations. Foundations offers the opportunity to become a covenant member, and you will be introduced to various forms of church-based discipleship, including groups and studies. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at info@grace.sc.

Do women fill leadership roles at Grace Church?

Women fill vital ministry roles in the work of God at Grace Church, including member care, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, and student ministry. Nearly all community groups are led by couples. Our staff also includes many women in roles that oversee and shape our ministries.

What is Grace Church's stance on baptism?

We believe that baptism is commanded for followers of Christ, but do not believe that the act of baptism is assurance of salvation in any way. We support a “believer’s baptism,” in which a person makes a decision to follow Jesus Christ and publicly professes this through baptism and testimony. We practice baptism by immersion because it is the example given to us in the New Testament. We do not prevent members from observing other forms of baptism; however, we do not practice them in our services.

Baptism

History

How we got here

1995

The first service of Grace Church is held at the Merritts’ home in downtown Easley.

1995–1997

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.

1998–2000

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.

2001–2003

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.

2004–2006

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.

2007–2009

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.

2010–2012

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.

2013–2015

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.

2016–2017

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.

2018–2019

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.

2020–2021

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.

2022–Present

Front Porch Housing on Cleveland Street is established as a nonprofit supportive community. Grace 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.

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Discovery

Locations

across the Upstate