Gentle Jesus, be thine the wounds that heal our wounding-Frederick Buechner. Your Son taught to us to pray to you as our Father. Never do we feel more connected and indivisible as when we hurt each other, and the ripples tear at our insides, from...
I didn’t always love him. Pulling into the DSS parking lot that day, I knew that my life was about to change forever. I walked into the office and saw a little boy in grungy clothes that were too many sizes too big to even...
Mentoring- it can seem almost too simple. You may wonder if it can make an impact at all. This letter from one child's teacher to his mentor tells a different story. Dear John, Thank you so much for your dedication to Michael each week. I know that it must at...
Band-Aids are magical, at least to my children they were. When my kids were little, any booboo from a fall could be cured with a band-aid. To them, the application of a band-aid cured their ailment and allowed them to move on. In many ways...
“With each swing of the hammer, you are serving a bigger purpose.” I heard these words from Kristen, an adult woman who moved into a Habitat for Humanity home when she was seven years old. She was encouraging the 100+ volunteers who were in the...
There are some moments in life that no amount of training or fancy degrees can prepare you for; especially as a mom. There are plenty of sweet moments that melt your heart -- like the first time your baby gives you a kiss or says...
The challenges for those facing incarceration are growing. When you consider the statistics surrounding those serving time in prison, it becomes clear that there is much brokenness within our justice system. Gaps created through poverty and race often bring about more injustice than justice....
Last month, we partnered with a local Indian pastor to host a christmas event. While the evening was a great opportunity for Grace members to bring their Indian friends, the real ministry is taking place in the day-to-day relationships being pursued with those who attended. ...
Mill Community Ministries is a partner organization of Grace Church. Over the past several years, we have worked alongside MCM as they have worked with neighborhoods in West Greenville to launch a variety of community empowerment programs. Read below for a unique opportunity to work...
I recently sat in a meeting with a group of adults who are all part of the newly-launched mentoring program at my children’s school. The last 3 months have served as the first continual exposure that some of these people have had with children that...
Growing up in a western, enlightened society I learned to look down on everyone else’s understanding of the world. I learned empirical values. I learned to despise the childish notions of our ignorant ancestors. Accordingly, Greek mythology, demonic activity and supernatural phenomena were classified with...
We don't belong here. This idea is a difficult one for us to remember. Our lives feel normal, busy, and often, harried. Our homes provide us with a safe haven in the evenings; we control and protect the comfort we find there. We have an...
Christmas is about a relationship. I didn’t say that Christmas is about relationships, as in relationships with friends and family. Of course, this season brings many intentional moments to be with friends and family. But those relationships, important as they are, aren’t the best part...
My husband was in Kenya, and I was in Charleston visiting family when I got a text from my friend. There had been an announcement at Grace about the partnership with Pastor Suhas, an Indian believer who would be hosting a Christmas gathering for the...
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, or too busy decorating your home for the holidays, you’ve heard of some big events around the world -- the recent spat of bombings across the world (most notably in Paris and Beirut), followed by a debate over...
In 2005, I distinctly remember praying about going on a missions trip. I know I was interested in missions before then, but this is the first time I specifically remember praying about going....
The Bible speaks clearly about the honor and wisdom that comes with old age. Yet in our society, many of those in the older generations spend their final years in elder care facilities with few connections to the outside world....
“Mom, we can always slide our chairs in to create another space.” Those words recently uttered by our 6 year old over breakfast, served as a reminder that children can be on mission and sometime lead us with their uncluttered perspective....
One of my favorite nights of the year is Mission to Worship, a night at Grace Church dedicated to celebrating what God is doing in our community and the world through the local church. It is also a call to action – How can we...
Thanks to everyone who joined us for Mission to Worship this past Monday. Worship points our hearts to who God is. His character, His holiness, and His grace call us to action....
As I walk through the doors of work with a canteen of coffee in my hand, I mentally prepare myself for the day ahead. The humidity and the heat of the air are increased as I walk from the open air breezeways into the four...
If I were to take the time to think about all the really bad things that could possibly happen to my children, whether it be physically or emotionally, the list could get pretty lengthy. And then if I added some of the sufferings of children...
They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and in our family, we have understood that to be true. Our children have formal and informal mentors – grandparents, teachers, coaches, church members, and family friends....
Last November, we gathered together as a church to celebrate the work God is doing through the local church both in Greenville and around the world. Once again, it is our desire to pause and reflect together- to praise Him for the work He has...
Until three years ago, Barbara Dansby had never had a desire to join an overseas missions team. She heard about opportunities to join medical or pastoral teams, and, since Barbara is a middle school guidance counselor, neither of those areas were really in her skill...