Justin and Jamie Bishop have been attending Grace for three years and married for half that time. From their premarital instruction in Merge to their regular participation in Ezer and Men’s Roundtable groups, the Bishops know the foundation for their new marriage is rooted in truth within a safe and biblical community. “Because our families are not in Greenville, Grace has become our family.” The local church provides the Bishops a place to sit under God’s Word and seek to apply that knowledge in community. Jamie notes, “Our community group has been a huge part of our discipleship. Every single week we are doing real life—not sugarcoating things—and working through issues. They let us process, speak truth, and help us understand what the Bible says to do.” Justin agrees: “The community group is not just a meeting on Monday nights—it extends throughout the week because we literally do life with them.”

Brad and Neely Ledford were excited when Grace announced the desire to launch a campus in Travelers Rest. Brad’s roots were deep and his connection to that part of the Upstate was strong. “I grew up in this community; it’s where I live, where my kids go to school, and my wife is a teacher there.” Since 2015, Brad and his family were driving to the Downtown campus in Greenville to worship. But when they heard the news of the plans for Travelers Rest, they knew they wanted to be a part of that initial group to reach their own community.

When you worship in the community where you live, there is “connection, accountability, and an opportunity to serve others.” And, as a Travelers Rest high school alumnus, the irony of meeting in that facility is not lost on Brad. “There have been lots of people praying, and God is doing something special.”

The Janushkowskys had heard about the re|engage marriage ministry offered at Grace but thought it was intended only for relationships in trouble or in crisis mode. “We thought we didn’t need that; we thought our marriage was near perfect.” However, as they processed the workbook, heard the marriage stories, and shared in their groups week after week, the benefits were realized. The act of setting aside time for intentional study “exposed some things in our relationship that we didn’t know were there.” Unconfessed sin, doubt, and issues brewing beneath the surface were now being written and spoken with humility and met with grace. “We can talk honestly about sin and work through it. The burden is lifted off, and she can help me learn and grow from it.” With a deeper level of intimacy and oneness, both expressed thankfulness and described their re|engage journey as a “really beautiful thing.”

Raised in a home with a mother and two sisters, Ron Winegard had very little male influence. Two years ago, Ron attended his first Men’s Roundtable. After hearing the teaching, Ron went home, downloaded the rest of the series, and listened to them all within the next 24 hours. “I’ve never heard anything like that.” Although Ron has been married to Lindsey for 22 years and has always attended church, Men’s Roundtable introduced him to the idea that “God needs to be my main priority and then my wife. Everything else flows from that.” It changed his marriage as he learned that he must love Lindsey like God loves the Church. Patterns of selfish behavior turned to leading and loving in new ways. “I can’t be mean or belittle her. I am learning to communicate and it is my responsibility to lead her even through conflict.” Ron now leads groups for Men’s Roundtable at our Powdersville Campus.

As an 8-year-old girl, the life Kaitlyn Fiedler knew changed in one moment. A car accident on a South Carolina highway stole the lives of her parents and four siblings. Although her normal was gone, Kaitlyn had faith that God saw her grief and cared for her.

Kaitlyn serves with SHIFT, a GriefShare ministry for grieving kids and teens. As she shares her story, pours out her energy, and identifies with suffering, Kaitlyn heals and holds to the promise in Hebrews that “God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers.” (6:10) Kaitlyn looks forward to the day when she will see the fullness of God’s glory. But while she waits, she serves.

Click here for more of her story on We Choose

This summer, Austin participated in Kairos, a 10-week internship program for college students. Grace Church internships give students opportunities to study spiritual topics, develop leadership skills, and carry weight in various ministries. Church leadership and staff pour into these interns with real time feedback, discipleship, and teaching.

Austin learned what it looks like to function in a group of believers. He says he gained an “understanding of the power and purpose of the local church, understanding that I am a son of the Lord and that I can be okay with who I am and how to use my skills and talents for the Kingdom. I am specifically designed to be a part of the body of Christ.”

Students often head back to college with a fresh perspective, a deeper understanding of God, and much to reflect upon. “Throughout the summer I learned what it looks like to be the person the Lord has designed me to be versus who Austin wanted Austin to be.”

The line of hundreds of people waiting for medical treatment in Kenya can be staggering, but Wendy Arnold tries only to set her attention on the person sitting at her table—because in each moment, God has given her the opportunity to make each person feel known, heard, and loved by Jesus. Wendy explains, “I have no expectation of giving them all that they need, and they have no expectation that I can, but come only for the hope that someone may actually listen to them and care… the most important thing that happens at the clinic is that these people are connected to the local church.”

The medicine she can provide can only go so far. It does not have the power to erase years of physical ailments. She knows that their pain will not disappear. But when we look past physical needs, we see people who desire community and ultimately a relationship with our Creator. As Wendy puts it, “Our God created us to be relational. He created us in His image. He created us to be loved, and our clinics help ensure that these battle-worn people know that they are cared for—that there is hope. They may not see relief this side of Heaven, but there is hope on the other side.”