First service as Gospel Community!

If you weren't already aware, Ben and I moved to South Carolina this past August to be a part of a new church plant called Gospel Community for downtown Charleston. And Sunday was our first real church service!! 

It has felt like a long time coming (for Ben and I) to get to this point, but now it feels like a whole new exciting beginning to our move to Charleston. We came to be a part of the core team 6 months ago and we've been preparing and building relationships in that time, but now It's like our perspective of how we're wanting to reach the city is refreshed and has some more meat on it and is more tangible. And there are more faces now that collectively make up our church and who are, and all that just accumulates into excitement and reality about us really doing this thing!

As a church we're meeting in a brand new school building (that happens to be right around the corner from my and Ben's house. Awesome.) right on one of the main streets in downtown. The way Gospel Community got access to that building was a work of God in and of itself. The Lord showed us a lot of favor with the school office staff and blessed us with a rent payment that was half of what we expected. Not to mention the space is beautiful. Just look at it! Not elementary feely in the least. To top it all off, the school staff has only continued to be incredibly gracious and welcoming to us. Needless to say, we are very thankful for our first location as Gospel Community!

Let me tell you about the services this past Sunday.  

It was sweet and simple and everything seemed to flow oh so well. The worship was beautiful and Nick's teaching was perfect for laying the groundwork of who we are as a church, and the truth he shared truly blessed so many hearts. We had several nonbelievers in attendance as well as several people who came as a result of Instagram (I know, right! Who knew social media actually worked?). We had neighbors and family and LOTS of kids and people who came simply to serve us and help wherever needed. 

It's most exciting I think because it's plain to see that these hearts that were represented are ones looking for community and love and answers to hard questions and a place to belong and some hope and faith in something greater than themselves. And we as GC are so excited to grow in all these things with them!

It was a huge encouragement for all of us to see how many people came from random places around our city and gathered at our little church. And I'll say for myself (and I'm sure for others) that there are many other Charleston dwellers that I have my heart and eyes on that I believe The Lord wants to send our way as well. 

Our mission is simply to bless this city. To love and serve people well, to enjoy meals and life together with them, and to share the hope and promise we have through our faith and our Father in heaven. 

This first service was another step in that direction and we are all so excited to take the next steps toward our mission of reaching Charleston for the glory of God!