For more than a century, Greenville Church members have been known in the upstate South Carolina community for their faith. But, as they look to their future in this rapidly growing city, they realized they needed more than just a new building. They needed a new vision for applying the power of their faith in the details of their daily lives. How could they better love others, serve others, and bring hope and light to their community?
The heart of this vision is the heart of faithfulness — to bring true joy, peace, and restoration to their neighbors through authenticity, openness, and opportunity.
Their vision is less about building another “church” and more about building something God’s Church can use to show the Gospel in action. Monday to Friday, most church buildings stand empty, with locked doors and darkened windows. However, the needs of the people who pass those buildings aren’t limited to the weekend. Greenville is building something new — a place of open opportunities that is accessible and accepting, a building that speaks to both the physical and spiritual needs of the community.
With aging infrastructure and limited physical facilities, members seek to transform their presence from a building of faith into a beacon of faithfulness. Partnering with a leading worship-and-community architect, they have envisioned space planning that speaks to their community. The new facility will include:
• An expansive lobby with open access to outdoor green space, public restrooms, and a kitchen designed to host a wide range of community events, from concerts to farmer’s markets to job fairs.
• A main Worship Center that is also equipped with theater loading access behind the stage to facilitate other community uses outside of worship services.
• Retail space as a community commons with reservable meeting areas.
• A modern, connected board room for non-governmental organizations to use freely in pursuit of their mission.
• Logistics and storage area for the church’s community clothing drives and homeless outreach efforts.
• A two-car, in-ground oil change facility for single parents and people without resources.
• Secure, extended-stay, temporary housing spaces for those with nowhere else to turn.
• Greenville County Police annex that serves their neighboring school facility and increases security and monitoring for the facility and surrounding community.
• Soccer field that supplements the community parks in the surrounding neighborhoods and provides space for underprivileged kids to engage in athletics summer camps.
Their vision for Gospel impact begins on their street, in their own neighborhood. It begins with a renewed commitment to serving others as Jesus served. He didn’t just heal the blind, lame, and leper — He healed their hearts too. He was present and engaged among the outcasts and invisible. He was a friend for sinners and screw-ups. And, He preached a life of repentance and forgiveness of sins, only found in Him.
That’s the Jesus they hope to show their community, not by just talking about Him, but through how they develop their facilities, leverage their capabilities, and increase their reach. Together, they will build a beacon of faithfulness that shines bright across their city with Good News.
If you’re interested in learning more about the future of Greenville Church, or to support their mission, you can visit them at www.buildingabeacon.com.
Carolina | June 2023
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