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Having been invited to speak at their first ever spring revival, I was looking forward to ministering in South Carolina at Bethany Bible Chapel, but I was not expecting to have met such a wonderful church that so quickly made an impact on my heart. The assembly in Conway has Plymouth Brethren roots and feels very similar to our Gospel Chapel in Palmetto Point, but they’re officially non-denominational and their approach to worship seeks to glorify God in an honest and simple expression of devotion.
Apart from a Spring refresher, the revival was planned as an opportunity for the elders of the church to get to know me and for me to have the opportunity to get to know the church. Pastor Dave has been sensing the need to find the next senior pastor for the church. He and I have been passing partners in ministry as we both have served together at the Spanish Wells Methodist Church. Having gotten know me on the island, we both agreed that it would be good to get to minister together and get to know one another even better.
It was a privilege to receive such a warm welcoming and kind hospitality from both Dave and Doris. She makes the most amazing sourdough buns and strawberry cheesecake-pie (yeah, you read that right… its amazing). I learned a lot by traveling with Dave in visitation and watching how God has impressed ministry upon his heart and a love for the people, and specifically in the culture of this church.
My time at the church began with a men’s prayer breakfast. I not only came away from that meeting with thankfulness to see so many men coming together to pray and care for one another and their church, but I also had my first opportunity to make so many relationships with quality Christian men. I’m in awe at the way God unifies the church such that you can meet other Christians and almost immediately feel like you’ve known them for years.
The subject for the 5 revival meeting was “Marks of a Healthy Church.” I outlined 5 nonnegotiable characteristics (as evidenced by the church in Antioch: Acts 13:1-3), necessary for a health church as: Spirit-Led, Mission-minded, Unified, Humility among leadership, and Adherence to Sound Doctrine. It was such a privilege to preach these sermons and to worship with Bethany Bible Chapel. My lasting take-away is how touched I was from all my new friends from the church, and that there may be more to explore with this congregation as we seek to follow where the Spirit leads.