First Presbyterian, Columbia
Sunday, May 19, 2013

Grace Presbyterian Church Plant

 

First Presbyterian Church in conjunction with Catawba Presbytery is establishing an ARP congregation in the Spears Creek Church Road/Pontiac area of greater Columbia, to be known as Grace Presbyterian Church.  A Provisional Session has been established by the Presbytery to help guide the new work.  

 

Leaving for the Northeast

On Sunday January 22 the group going to the Northeast area of Columbia were commissioned during the evening service.  The following Sunday - January 29 - services started at 10:00 a.m. in the Lake House at the Sandhill Research and Education Center, across from the Village at Sandhill.

We pray for God's blessing upon this work to establish Grace Presbyterian Church.

March 20, 2012 Update

"This is my first spring in South Carolina, and I’m amazed at how soon it has come and how quickly we’ve gone from a few buds to full bloom.  Not to mention temperatures in the 80’s!  I’ve felt the same surprise with Grace Presbyterian.  It’s only been two months since you sent us out to the Northeast, and we are already seeing spring. 

There is growth.  We’ve had new visitors each week, some of whom are continuing to come back and learn more about us.  And we’ve had nonbelievers coming–something for which we’ve really been praying.  We want to see “unwatered” believers come and experience new growth in the gospel.  And we really long for new seeds to be planted and new life to bloom.

One of the ways we’re trying to cast some of those seeds is through using the Christianity Explored course.  We’ve just finished a course in Lake Carolina with several of my neighbors.  Our Thursday nights together were marked by good desserts, good stories and laughs, great discussions and questions about the Gospel of Mark, and pointed challenges in following Jesus.  I’m thankful for the time we had together, and I’m excited to see one couple who don’t attend church start coming to Grace

There is beauty.  From the very first service I’ve been amazed and encouraged by the music, the singing, and the beauty of coming together for our corporate worship.  We’ve also been thankful for the Lake House at the Clemson Research and Education Center across from the Village at Sandhills.  It's a beautiful place for us to meet.  A few times I’ve heard people say “that was a sweet time of worship.”  And sweet it has been.

There is also a long way to go.  As beautiful as spring is, we want to thrive in the heat of summer, the cool of fall, and even the barrenness of winter.  So please continue to pray for us.  Pray for our Life Groups that meet in homes during the week.  Pray that they would be groups where we grow as followers of Jesus, as friends to one another, and where we live out our mission to bring the hope of the gospel to the Northeast.  Pray for us to find ways to serve our community in word and indeed.  Pray for several more Christianity Explored groups over the next few months.  And pray for many to hear the gospel and come to faith.

You can also help us get the word out about Grace.  If you are a Facebook user, please look us up and “like” us to help spread the word to your friends.  And if you know folks in the Northeast who are not believers or not plugged into a church, help us meet them!

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about our different roles in spreading the gospel.  He first preached to the Corinthians, planting the seed.  Apollos later watered the new church.  But something much more is needed.   “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (v. 7).  May God give much growth this spring!"  -                                               

               Brandon Barrett

 

 
For more information about Grace Presbyterian visit their website - www.gracepresarp.org - or contact Rev. Brandon Barrett (803)360-6946.

 

Information on the Barretts

 

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Background on the effort that brought Grace Presbyterian Church into existence

Two First Presbyterian Church committees did preliminary work regarding the starting of a new church.  Links to these reports are found below and will provide insight into the church’s motivation and thinking regarding starting a daughter church, reason for choosing this particular area, demographic details of the area, and thoughts on the initial approach that may be taken as the church developer begins his work.

 

Grace Presbyterian Church documents:

Report of the 2009 Church Planting Committee

Report of the 2010 Church Planting Committee

Grace "self-analysis" for Catawba Presbytery