Sayings from the Spindle

Photo by Isaac Cropsey (isaaccropsey.com)

One fascinating part of Mill Village life is its vocabulary. The West Side has a long history of unique words and phrases that come from our textile heritage. You could fill a dictionary with each neighborhood’s distinct language. 

We, at Saltbox, started studying these nicknames and idioms, tracking down their uses, and verifying their authenticity. Here are a few we got a hold of this quarter with help from our friends in the F.W. Poe Textile Heritage Society Facebook group. 

Mill Hill: This was a general term used for the neighborhood surrounding a mill. It didn’t matter if it was on a hill or not. Mill villages could be laid on completely flat ground. They were still called Mill Hills.

Looper Room: This was where workers, usually women, sat to sew the toes of socks—just the toe part. It was repetitive and boring, but it was steady work. You could talk with your co-workers all day (which wasn’t as easy in other parts of the mill due to noisy machinery), so it’s assumed a lot of mill village news was passed along in the looper rooms.

Water House: This was what they called the restrooms. Some say mill workers were not given almost any work breaks by their employers, so they took unofficial breaks by saying they were going to the water house, when really they’d be having a snack or just catching their breath. This loitering around the water house became known as “water house squatting” and was apparently quite prevalent. 

Linthead: A nickname—sometimes affectionate, sometimes not—for someone who worked in the mill. Mill employees often had lint stuck to their hair and clothes after work which made them easily noticeable amongst the general population. Most mill workers considered the term a badge of honor.

Operative: This is what management called mill workers who ran looms and other textile machines. It’s a prestigious step forward from “linthead.” 

Dope Wagon: Not what it sounds like! In the early days of Mill Village life, "dope" was slang for soda. So a dope wagon referred to a snack cart that would drive around the neighborhood selling sodas and sandwiches—almost like today’s food trucks. One historian tipped us off to the fact that Eugenia Duke, of the famous Duke Sandwich Company, served sandwiches out of these carts in the very early days of the company when she was just getting started. We still have a Duke Sandwich Company serving Eugenia’s incredible recipes right outside of Poe Mill on Poinsett Highway!

Saltbox: We can’t not include this one. This refers to standard mill village homes with slanted roofs. Hundreds were built beside each mill in the Textile Crescent. These houses were specifically chosen for their structure, which proved to be especially long-lasting, persevering, and sturdy. The people who inhabit these houses embody those same good qualities. 

Easy Wins for Parents on “First Sunday”

On the first Sunday of every month, we intentionally welcome Griggs Kids—ages six and older—to sit in the service with their parents.

Our primary goals in this are twofold:

1. To raise biblically literate children who are integrated into the life of the church.

2. To support parents in raising their children to participate in corporate worship.

We know this isn’t always easy. Kids who aren’t used to sitting upstairs may feel squirmy or restless. Parents may feel torn between correcting behavior and guiding their children to love the church from the heart.

But we’re all in the same boat. Let’s acknowledge that we all need help to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

With that in mind, here are some simple, practical steps to help your kids engage with the Sunday morning service, even at a young age:

Before Service

• Teach your children about the body of Christ throughout the week. Remind them: “Jesus put together the church. It’s His family, it’s our family, and we gather to worship Jesus, hear from Jesus, and share life with one another.”

• Set expectations before Sunday morning. Say something like: “I’m so excited for you to come to service with me! Do you remember how we behave in service? We listen, we don’t distract others, we sit in our spot, we pass the plate, we sing, and we whisper when we need something.”

• Get them involved with preparing a church bag. On Saturday, encourage your child to gather their Bible, a pen, and a highlighter. If they need a small, quiet toy or extra paper, let them add that as well.

During Service

• Give your kids the job of opening the hymnals. This helps them practice finding the right hymn, learn songs, and pay attention to the words.

• Let them find the passage in the Bible. Encourage kids to bring their Bibles, locate the book and verses, and even highlight or underline key phrases.

• Use the special bulletins we provide on First Sundays. These are designed to go along with the sermon and help children follow the teaching.

After Service

• Ask questions. Invite your kids to share what they heard or saw. Do your best to answer, or look for the answer together.

• Talk about your spiritual family. Tell your kids about some of your friends who were in church that day and how much it means to worship Jesus with them.

• Encourage and correct. Compliment your child for moments they were engaged, and explain why certain parts of the service are important whenever correction is needed.

• Pray with and for your children. This could be before service, thanking God after service, or quietly praying for them during the service.

There’s always more we can do to train our children to worship the Lord and join with His people. But let’s not overlook the basics. By starting small and staying consistent, we can patiently build a strong foundation for our kids’ understanding of—and relationship with—corporate worship.

Griggs Cookbook Project

By Amanda Peeler

Griggs has a reputation for many things in the neighborhood of Poe Mill. Griggs is known for its corner presence on Poinsett Highway. It’s also known for our church van that has picked up kids in the neighborhood for the Kids Ministry for generations. But most notably, Griggs is well known in the community for memorable and meaningful times of fellowship around amazing food. 

When I was a teenager at Griggs in the early 2000s, some of the highlights of the year were the whole church going to either Olive Garden or Outback for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We could do that because there were only about 10 members at Griggs at the time. It was a time of joy and fellowship. I was the youngest person in the group and would usually receive a lot of encouragement. Arlinda would always bring a delicious cake from Strossner’s and would always give me the biggest piece. The coolest part was that Pastor Yeomans would eat a whole Bloomin’ Onion by himself before the entrees came out. 

More recently, some of our weekly routines at Griggs revolve around meals. When Mitch first came to Griggs and started church revitalization, we had coffee and doughnuts in the downstairs fellowship hall, where the nursery is now. It was a time to chat and hang out before the service, and it was always such an encouraging time. Now it’s turned into coffee and doughnuts on the porch, which allows even more people to hang out and fellowship before the service. 

One of our new favorite times of fellowship is our Summer Wednesday Night Dinners, where small groups take turns providing meals for the church. It is the absolute best time to come share a meal and connect as a church. I might be biased, but the Marriage small group always has the best meal you could have for dinner: breakfast. 

In an effort to tell the story of what God has done and is doing at Griggs through the breaking of bread together, we are compiling recipes and stories into a church cookbook. You may not have heard of a church cookbook. It really is just what it sounds like- a cookbook compiled of recipes from the people of the church.

This new project is the Griggs Cookbook. And we need your help. We would love for you to share a recipe. You could also submit a story you have about having a meal with someone at Griggs. We know so many connections have been made through meals at Griggs, and we would love to hear your story.

Link to Recipe Entry Form

MINISTRY PARK: POE MILL’S MINISTRY HUB

If you walk up the street from the skatepark, where Poe Mill once stood, you'll see two church buildings sharing a yard. That yard is called "Ministry Park."

Why are there two churches sharing a yard? Because, in the earliest days of the mill village, everyone went to church. Mill employees wanted a place of worship close by, just like their mill-owned general store and elementary school. However, they didn’t all belong to the same denomination, so they built two churches—one for the Baptists and one for the Methodists. Today, the old Poe Mill Methodist Church is home to River of Life Ministries.

Fast forward about 100 years. The mill has shut down. Many in the neighborhood and surrounding areas are in need. Poinsett Highway has become a refuge for the homeless. And several ministries visit the neighborhood each week, bringing food, essential items, and the gospel. 

One problem these ministries face is that they struggle to find a consistent place to set up. And that’s important. People need to know where to find help, and ministries need a stable location to serve effectively.

That’s where the idea for Ministry Park was born.

A few Christians ministering in Poe Mill put their heads, time, and energy together and came up with a plan. They used their own resources to build a pavillion in the yard between the two churches.

There’s ample space under the pavilion for worship, with the rest of the yard available for picnic tables and seating to serve meals. There’s already a playground on the property and enough green space for kids to play and people to gather.

A large shed was also built to store sound equipment, essential items, tables, chairs, Bibles, songbooks—everything needed to run a ministry. That means if you’re a ministry leader, all you have to do is show up and serve.

That’s the big idea behind Ministry Park, and that’s how it works.

For a long time, a ministry called "Tuesday Night Friends" met at the park to give out food and clothes, sing, and teach. 

Today, "Nothing But Jesus Street Ministries" meets there every Saturday at 4 p.m. They usually partner with a local church group to provide food. Volunteers set up a serving line, and folks from the neighborhood and homeless community come through, receiving a meal while singing hymns and hearing a short devotional message.

Scott Wienart, who helped set up the pavilion and shed, leads "Worship in the Park" every Sunday at 4 p.m., where he serves food and teaches the Scriptures.

Additionally, the park is open for all neighborhood ministries to use any time. Grace and Peace Presbyterian has hosted many ministry events there. Park Place Church of God once ended their Christmas parade at Ministry Park, where dozens of neighbors gathered to sing carols and drink hot cocoa. Our church, Griggs, has also used the park on several occasions.

One summer, we held each of our Wednesday night services at Ministry Park. We’ve also hosted our spring block parties there for years—including one this past quarter!

One of the key figures behind the scenes is Jack Smith. No one serves quite like Jack.

Jack keeps Ministry Park running smoothly. He organizes the shed and knows where everything is. He anticipates needs for each event or ministry and comes prepared. He’s on-site at every function, welcoming people and troubleshooting any problems that arise.

Whenever Griggs uses the park, Jack is our go-to guy. He arrives early, opens the shed, and sets up tables, chairs, the grill—whatever’s needed. And he’s almost always the last to leave, making sure everything is cleaned up and put away.

Jack has a deep passion for Ministry Park. His favorite thing about it? Seeing churches and ministries from different Christian traditions come together to preach the same gospel. Having been homeless himself at one point, he has a particular heart for the homeless ministry happening in the park. He is patient with those in need, ensures they have a good experience, and has even been known to open his home to them.

When we asked Jack about his vision for the park, he didn’t hesitate— ”baptisms.” He envisions more and more people coming to Jesus and getting baptized right there in the park (which has already happened using a hose and a large silver trough).

The dream is to expand Ministry Park’s reach, creating a community center on the lot behind River of Life Ministries. This space would meet a variety of needs—ESL classes, job training, and continuing the weekly ministries indoors during the winter months.

Ideally, formal ministry would happen at the park every day, from weeknight gospel singing to Saturday kids' events. Fundraising has already begun at River of Life Ministries to make this vision a reality. If you’d like to donate or get involved, we’d be happy to connect you with Jack or River of Life.

Ministry Park is more than a space—it’s a place where the gospel is lived out, where the church comes together, and where the love of Christ meets people’s greatest needs. 

Griggs Kids: First Sundays

On the first Sunday of every month, we intentionally welcome Griggs Kids ages six and older to sit in the service with their parents.

Our primary goals in this are twofold:

1. To raise biblically literate children who are integrated into the life of the church.

2. To support parents in raising their children to participate in corporate worship.

Why First Sundays Instead of Family Sundays?

In the past, Griggs attempted to meet these goals by hosting Family Sundays, which included all children (ages 0–10) in the service with us. We are thankful for that experience and it certainly was helpful in in its time. However, we have way more kids at Griggs now than when we started Family Sundays. So we believe First Sundays will better accomplish the goal for our current needs and also improve upon some of the challenges we faced during Family Sundays.

On Family Sundays, the number of babies and toddlers in the service often overwhelmed the room. As a result, the older children—those most ready to begin learning worship habits—struggled to hear the sermon and engage in worship.

Additionally, Family Sundays were only happening on months where there was a fifth week. This was too infrequent to serve as a healthy, gradual transition for kids moving from children’s ministry into corporate worship. Finally, the focus tended to shift toward simply “having kids in the room,” rather than truly integrating them into the life of worship.

Our aim is not to say that children’s worship is more important than that of others in the congregation, but rather to bring children into worship in a way that serves both them and the whole church body.

We believe First Sundays accomplish this balance. By integrating children more frequently, but in a more manageable way (only 6-10 year olds)—we give them meaningful opportunities to participate in worship while supporting parents as they train their children.

First Sundays are also ideal because the sermon is typically shorter, and believing children may take part in communion with their families.

Supporting Parents

We want to come alongside parents as they guide their children into the life of the church. To that end, we will:

• Provide kid-friendly bulletins (workbooks) that match the sermon, encouraging children to bring their Bibles, listen carefully, and take notes.

• Make a basket of resources available at the welcome table for parents to choose from, such as pens, highlighters, light-colored playdough, or gummy snacks. Parents can take only what they feel is helpful for their child, rather than each child receiving the same pre-made goodie bag.

• Offer materials to help parents explain aspects of worship to their children, from using hymnals, to listening to sermons, to understanding the sacraments.

We will also post articles in the newsletter with practical ideas—such as how to set expectations before Sunday morning or how to prepare a “church bag” with a Bible, pen, highlighter, and perhaps a quiet toy or some paper.

A Gentle Transition

Our hope is that First Sundays will give parents a smoother way to transition their children into corporate worship. Rather than going from none of your children in the service to all of your children in the service, you can focus on guiding your older children first, helping them learn what it looks like to worship as part of the body of Christ, then your younger kids when the time comes.

We know there will be a learning curve. Kids are kids—they will feel bored at times, get antsy, and even make some noise. That’s okay. We love them! Which is why we’re trying obey Christ’s command to teach and train them in the knowledge of God. We’re looking for progress, not perfection.

Griggs Church & Baptism

What is Baptism?

Baptism is when a believer is immersed in water before witnesses, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a public proclamation—to God and to God’s people—of faith in Jesus Christ: the crucified, buried, and risen Savior who has forgiven sins and given eternal life.

Going under the water powerfully demonstrates our death to sin and its power, while rising from the water signifies our resurrection to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4).

We believe baptism is more than just a symbol, though it certainly symbolizes gospel truth. It is a sacrament, instituted by Jesus in the Great Commission. It is a means through which God gives sanctifying grace—not through the water itself, but through the Holy Spirit working in our obedience to Christ’s command.

Baptism sanctifies the one being baptized by confirming God’s love in their heart and giving them a moment to look back on for strength in future trials. It also sanctifies the church as a whole by proclaiming the gospel and reminding us that it is still at work in the world.

Why Do We Baptize?

We baptize because:

• Jesus commanded His followers to do so in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

• It is an outward, public declaration of inward faith in Christ.

• It visibly proclaims the gospel to the watching church and world.

• It strengthens and encourages both the believer and the congregation.
  

We do not believe baptism saves anyone—salvation comes by grace alone, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We also do not baptize infants, since baptism is for those who have personally professed faith in Christ.

We baptize once for each believer. If someone was baptized before truly trusting in Christ, we may baptize them again after genuine faith.

Eligibility for Baptism

We baptize those who can clearly articulate their faith in Jesus and demonstrate an understanding of what baptism is and why they desire it.

Our general practice:

• Candidates are known to the congregation and have attended for at least 6–8 weeks.

• Baptism is typically a prerequisite for church membership.

• Willingness to commit to our church community (or partner church) is expected.

We may ask someone to wait if:

• They are walking in unrepentant sin.

• They are wrestling with significant doubts about core doctrines.

• They are unable to explain the meaning and purpose of baptism.

This pause is never out of judgment, but out of love—to ensure baptism is a deeply joyful and meaningful milestone in a believer’s walk with Jesus.

Kendall’s Grill

On Blue Ridge Drive in the Monaghan neighborhood, there’s a restaurant just as passionate about people as it is about food. Their mission is simple: “Real people, real food.”

“We’re relationally driven as much as we are quality driven,” says Kendall Tolston, the owner of Kendall’s Grill.

Kendall began working at the restaurant back when it was Bikas Drive-In. At 13, he would walk there from his home in the Berea area on the West Side. Over time, he developed a love for the food industry. When Bikas was set to close, 18-year-old Kendall bought the place and made it his own.

Now 28, with culinary school and a decade of restaurant ownership under his belt, Kendall continues to serve his community. Kendall is open about his faith in Jesus and views his work as ministry. Christian music often plays overhead, and he has built meaningful relationships with a loyal base of regulars. He’s also hired friends in need of a fresh start during tough times.

According to kendallsgrill.com, “All active-duty police, military, EMS, and firemen receive a 50% discount on their meal.All teachers and school district employees receive a 15% discount, and every Tuesday night children from our community eat for free.”

It’s impressive, especially when you realize that none of the food is frozen— everything is fresh and expertly prepared before dawn. Walk into Kendall’s Grill and you’ll find a retro, 70’s-style joint with an orange roof and vintage signs adorning the walls. There are nods to Pepsi, Texaco, and even a tribute to the old Bikas Drive-In.

Guests can sit wherever they’d like—there are outdoor tables with orange umbrellas, a countertop bar, and plenty of booths. The food philosophy is: “Simple food, done right.” You can order a salad, a sandwich, or one of their 30 different milkshakes. Personally, I love their burgers. To Kendall’s, “Burgers are life.” If you order the John Wayne or Johnny Cash burger, you’ll leave satisfied.

Restaurant longevity is a challenge, with some statistics claiming most don’t make it past year three. When I asked Kendall about his success, he said the key is to “figure out what your neighborhood actually wants to eat and serve them accordingly.”

He recalled trying to get too fancy with breakfast options, which didn’t sell well. So he simplified the menu, and now has a steady stream of hungry neighbors walking in each morning.

His approach reminded me of something Jesus taught 2,000 years ago that applies to every part of life: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12).

We hope all of you, near and far, will make your way over to Kendall’s Grill. Kendall will shake your hand, ask your name, chat with you, and make you a burger—all at the same time.

Family Rooms

If you ever have a small child or baby with you in service that is getting fussy, but you still want to hear the sermon, we have two great spaces for you to use. We intentionally and carefully carved out these spaces for all of our great moms to use so that they could experience as much comfort as possible during service.

There is a room behind the sanctuary for mothers and babies. It’s immediately to your left as you come up the front steps. There is a couch, crib, chair, and changing table, toys, bottle warmers, and a live stream of our worship service.

Additonally, at the very bottom of the stairs, the first room is for moms or dads with any of their kids. Again, there are places to sit, everything a kid could need, and you can watch the service from there as well.

Even though our building is a little small (and our congregation is growing!) We want to strive to make our church to be as approachable as possible for all our young families.

Giving at Griggs

One of financial hopes at Griggs is to simply be a church where everyone is giving something.

You may be tempted to think that this is a vague, low bar. We would disagree, as it’s a bar virtually no church measures up to. One of the biggest issues many churches face financially is that only a small number of their regular attenders give regularly, and only a slightly larger group than that give anything at all.

A church where everyone gives something would be a spectacle.

Now, when when say, “everyone” we mean everyone who is capable. There are some people coming to us with nothing. We’re not talking about them. We’re also not talking about those whom the scriptures tell us to give to, like orphans, widows, and sojourners.

And, When when say “something” we do so intentionally. According the New Testament, giving is not about an exact percentage or an amount, it’s about following Jesus - seeing the need he leads you to see, meeting the needs he leads you to meet, and enjoying the journey.

Paul put it this way in his famous teaching on giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7 which states, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Paul essentially tells the Corinthian church members who are capable of giving that every one should give something.

Everyone or “Each one.” Each member.

Giving something. As in, whatever “they have decided in their heart.”

At Griggs, this leads many folks to give a regular gift to the church. Perhaps it’s always a specific portion of their income, as that’s what their conscience has directed. Or, for some of you, this may lead to a more sporadic giving, where you give larger gifts once in a while and then go long stretches of time where you’re not able to give.

For others, this may mean just giving whatever you can when you can, even if it seems “small” to the human eye. We have had more than a few faithful members dump a zip lock bag of spare change into the offering plate. That is by no means “small” to heavenly eyes.

The only thing following 2 Corinthians 9:7 would discourage is capable givers giving nothing.

We don’t believe it’s spiritually healthy for you to regularly attend and benefit from the church without giving something financially. And we don’t believe it’s what’s best for the body of Christ and our mission.

What would be healthy is if we got to a place where everyone in the church considered the needs of the church as part of their own needs. We would meet the needs of Jesus’ body just like we do our own body. It would be like the early church where they, “had all things in common.”

By God’s grace, we are meeting many needs in and outside of the church. And yet we are blown away by our potential to serve Jesus and Poe Mill in even greater ways in the future if our entire church is giving something that God laid on their hearts. Especially since, when we give financially, we tend to give more energy, effort, and enthusiasm along with it. After all, our savior revealed to us that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also…

Serving Teams at Griggs

If you’re interested in serving at Griggs, here’s a simple list of common places people jump in:

• Welcome team: Handing out coffee and doughnuts on the porch before church.

• Audio/Visual: Using the sound board and camera equipment to ensure everyone can hear and see the service on Sunday morning.

• Griggs Kids: Ministering to preschool through fifth-grade kids during a worship service through crafts, teaching, and games.

• Nursery: Ministering to infants and toddlers during the service by providing them a safe, clean place to play and rest.

• Worship team: Leading the congregation in musical worship.

• Ushering: Passing the offering plate and the Lord’s Supper to the congregation.

• Griggs Groups Leadership: Leading a small group of men or women each week through a biblical discussion and time of prayer.

• Hosting for services: Welcoming in prayer, announcements, Scripture reading, and closing in prayer from the stage during a worship service.

• Hospitality: Meal trains for members who are sick or just had a baby. Hosting special parties for members passing exciting milestones.

• Mentorship: Meeting with men in a local rehab (Miracle Hill) to simply encourage and help them through a new chapter in their life.

We know all these will need further explanation and of course there are countless ways to serve that aren’t listed. But once you get an idea of where you’re interested in starting out, reach out for a conversation with a church leader in person or by emailing info@griggschurch.com.

Our Core Values

At Griggs Church our mission is to make disciples that transform our neighborhood through the gospel of Jesus. Our core values answer the question, “How do we know we’ve made a disciple?” We’ve made a disciple when they value the following…

JESUS

We focus on all Jesus did and teach everyone to follow him (and nothing or no one else). We want Jesus to be front and center, high and lifted up, and the king of all our hearts all the time. We aim to look like, talk like, act like, walk like, and be like Jesus.

GOSPEL

We focus on filling our minds and hearts with gospel doctrine. We aim to believe, live by, and teach every aspect of Jesus’ good news—justification, imputed righteousness, redemption, ransom, sanctification, and our coming glorification, just to name a few.

NEIGHBORHOOd*

We focus on being equipped and sent to serve those who are poor, vulnerable, sick, sinful, and captive, especially in West Greenville.

*Note on neighborhood: At Griggs we talk a lot about our neighborhood mission. What we mean by that is that all our collective evangelism and benevolence efforts are dedicated toward our neighborhood (Poe Mill). One common misunderstanding when it comes to a neighborhood mission is that it’s somehow a negative thing when people who live outside the neighborhood join our church. Not true.

A neighborhood mission is not about who comes in; it’s about where we pour out. At Griggs Church, everyone is encouraged and welcome to join us no matter where they live. But when we pour out together, we feel led to pour specifically into one place: Poe Mill.

Poe Mill Driving Tour

If you get some extra time this summer, and are new to the neighborhood, you could get a lay of the land by taking a quick driving tour!

We’re not advocating you go into any of these places without making arrangements first, but simply drive to them to get an idea of where everyone is and see the neighborhood as a whole!

The Poe Mill office building - original office and general store of Poe Mill. Now a private boarding house.

255 A St, Greenville, SC 29609

Across the street from that is the skate park. Built by skaters on the old mill site after the mill burned down.

Poe Baptist Church and Rivers of Life Ministries, the two churches built with the mill around the time of its founding.

13 2nd Ave, Greenville, SC 29609

The grass in-between with the pavilion and the play ground we affectionately call Ministry Park.

Soteria community Development Corp - a famous SC non-profit that helps men getting out of prison to get back to a rich and fulfilled life.

210 Shaw St, Greenville, SC 29609

Mountain Goat Coffee Shop - this one we DO advocate you go in and buy a cup of coffee!

120 Shaw St, Greenville, SC 29609

Famous mural

1410 Buncombe Rd, Greenville, SC 29609

The Poe Mill Achievement Center - after school care for Poe Mill

1215 Buncombe Rd, Greenville, SC 29609

The Siddhi Food Mart which the neighborhood affectionally calls, the yellow store

200 Hammett St Ext, Greenville, SC 29609

Loom street. We just think it’s a cool street sign. As it harkens back to the Mill days.

121 Loom St, Greenville, SC 29609

Park Place Church of God

221 Orders St, Greenville, SC 29609

Investinet - a company that loves the neighborhood, has a cool mural

910 Pinckney St, Greenville, SC 29609

Salvation Army

505 Rutherford St, Greenville, SC 29609

Triune Mercy - has a huge mural on the back of the building

222 Rutherford St, Greenville, SC 29609

Summer Challenge: Go to Textile Heritage Park

Origionally published in Saltbox Quarterly

Every state has a Greenville. But our Greenville is such a unique and vibrant city that we've given it the hashtag #YeahTHATGreenville. But does all of Greenville fall under that hashtag?

The city does, but what about the county? The east side does but what about the West Side? Can we connect our community’s history as a textile powerhouse (mostly on the West Side) to our modern comfort and innovation (downtown and East Side)?

Yes. And a simple first step we can all take is just going to the park. Not Just any park. Textile Heritage park.

The ‘Textile Heritage Park is like a living museum. You literally walk through history. There are 12 alcoves scattered alongside an easy lap of a concrete trail where you stop and read tributes to 12 former Greenville mills and their workers.

The “and their workers” is important. These memorials pay homage to the men and women who worked in the textile mills and essentially put Greenville on the map. It’s not just information, but a window into the culture of West Greenville and the folks who live here - many of whom are the grand, and great-grand, kids of those mill workers.

Some Greenvillians, particularly those in the more affluent areas of the city, mistakenly over-associate West Greenville with all things negative. While it's true West Greenville faces some difficult challenges, including life under the poverty line, the majority of its residents are actually working class individuals who are dedicated, resilient, and industrious.

In Poe Mill, for example, roughly 90% of the neighborhood is employed, mainly in manual labor and other roles that require a lot of energy exertion. I think we all believe this is honorable.

So, understand, though West Greenville is home to some of our low-income neighbors, it’s simultaneously home to some of our hardest working neighbors who will drop everything to do anything for someone in need. They learned that from the people who raised them. The kind of people each of the 12 monuments represent. The kind of people we honor when we visit the park.

Many Greenvillians, even in the more affluent areas of our city, recognize this, love West Greenville, and desire to see more unity and  involvement between those who live on the East and West sides, but don’t know what steps they can take to make that happen.

We believe visiting Textile Heritage Park is an easy step we can all take in the direction of unity. This park is a vital community space because it fosters a sense of connection. This is true whether you live one minute or twenty minutes away from the park.

For West-siders, this park offers a sense of community pride for its contribution to the Greenville we all know and love today. For Eastsiders, it's a chance to adventure over to a side of town you don't usually see and be present for a place that can sometimes feel abandoned. Just by visiting the park you’ll both learn more about the West Side and enjoy being on the West Side in all of its beauty.

Textile heritage park is peaceful and mostly quiet. There's a great playground for the kids, with multiple slides and stuff to climb on. There’s also vast green space, public restrooms, and a pavilion for picnics. Plus, who knows who you'll meet. There's often community residents relaxing on a bench and taking in some sunshine. Ask them how long they've lived in the area, it could make for interesting conversation.

The more this park becomes a community hub, the better it is for the future of our city. Our challenge to you is to forgo your usual park and hold your next family gathering, community event, or play date at Textile Heritage Park.

When you do, you'll be taking a step towards putting all of Greenville under the popular hashtag #YeahTHATGreenville. All with the beautiful Monaghan Mill stack towering over you in the background.

Photos by Isaac Cropsey

The Most Important Thing

In his famous book, The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer states that the most important thing about us is what we think about God. His argument is that our thoughts on God effects everything about us: our emotions, our actions, our habits, the overarching story of our lives, and even our eternal state.

The problem that he see’s within us is that we often entertain a view of God that is far too low. For example, concerning God’s greatness we often think of God as simply the “greatest” being in a line up of beings. The truth is he is infinitly greater than all beings combined.

Tozer says, “We must not think of God as highest in an ascending order of beings, starting with the single cell and going up from the fish to the bird to the man to the angel to the cherub to God. God is as high above an archangel as above a caterpillar.”

When we think this way, that God is just a bit above the archangel, we feel more worry and less trust, and thus our behavior becomes more and more destructive (like being a control freak).

However, when we attempt to hold the massive view of God that the scriptures bring us, we are more likely to trust, obey, and live on the great comission Jesus has given us. For example, in the book, Tozer talks about how we often think of God as juuuust big enough to defeat satan in the end. So, “Whew, we’re gonna be ok.”

When in reality satan isn’t even struggle for God to defeat. God created Satan, Satan has to report to God (Job 1), and God will effortlessly cast him into the abyss on the last day (Revelation 20). Does that not make you more confident that God can give you victory in your sanctification? And more likely to lean into the escapes from sin that God provides? (1 Cor. 10:13)

And not only is our God massive, and mind blowing - he is accessible. He came down in human form and dwelt among us, taking on the name Jesus (God saves). He spoke to us in our own language and lived before us that we might see his splendor with our own eyes. He took on feet and walked in front of us leading the way from miracle to miracle as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and called us to follow behind him. He then showed us his infinite ability to crush the head of the serpent by dying for sin and paying our ransom, then rising from death the 3rd day and ascending to the right hand of the Father promising to return soon and make all things new! God has revealed just how magnificent he is in Jesus.

Hebrews 1:1-2 states Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

This series is not about AW Tozers book, but we hope meets the same goal: to get people to understand that the most important thing about them is what they think about Jesus. It effects everything. And, similar to AW Tozer, we’re going to attempt to help people think well about the Lord by proclaiming some of his attributes. We’ve chosen 8 attributes and 8 preachers from our congregation. Each preacher will get an attribute, study it, and come and proclaim it.

Out of each attribute can come many applications but one main one that can guide us all summer is repenting of too low a view of God and adopting a higher one. This is something we can all always work on no matter where we’re at in our Christian walk.

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

A look Back at Neighborhood Network

A Look Back at The Palm Sunday Party

Easter 2025

Sunday, April 13th, we will gather at Ministry Park (27 2nd Ave.) at 4 p.m. for a Palm Sunday Party! Because Jesus is King! 

We will start right at 4 p.m. sharp with singing, teaching, and celebrating baptisms. Our parties are generally drop-in, but since this has a worship service attached to it, we will be starting right at 4:00, so feel free to come early to get parking and a seat. This helps support our members who are serving and getting baptized. Then, after worship, we will serve food, play on inflatables, and have an easter egg hunt for our church and some friends from the neighborhood. Think of it as part worship service, part block party. 

On Friday, April 18th, at 7 pm, we will have our Good Friday Communion Service. This is a simple service with singing, scripture reading, a time of prayer, and sharing the Lord’s supper. There is child care available for kids 3 years old and younger. 

On Easter morning, our worship service is as normally scheduled with kids' ministry downstairs. We will have a big, celebratory worship service praising Jesus for rising from death!  

When you come on Easter morning, be sure to pick up a flower from the welcome table. They will be used in an element of the adult worship service (kids will get their own flowers when they check in downstairs). 

At the end of the service, our new Spring issue of Saltbox Quarterly will be available for pick up! And, there will be a photo booth outside between the sanctuary and the store front. We hope this helps you remember this special day of celebration and praise with your friends and family. 

On Easter morning, everything we take in from the offering plate will be given to our dear friends and partners at Sammy’s Mission (sammysmission.org). David Carson, who runs Sammy’s Mission, was once homeless in the Poe Mill area, battling addiction. Through a series of providential circumstances, he checked into the Miracle Hill Overcomers Program and got sober. He and his wife, Mandi, now run 5 Christian-based transition homes for men seeking recovery here in Greenville. We want to do all we can to help.

The Commitments of Church Membership

MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT

While a member at Griggs…

1. I AM COMMITTED TO GRIGGS STATEMENT OF FAITH.

I affirm my belief in the fundamental tenets of Christianity as outlined in our statement of faith. As a member, I am committed to upholding, living out, and sharing this faith.

Furthermore, anything that is not in the statement of faith I hold with an open hand so as not to cause division around any secondary doctrine or personal preference.

2. I AM COMMITTED TO ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING.

I am committed to reasonably regular attendance at worship services. I will actively participate in the life of the church through groups, serving, or both.

3. I AM COMMITTED TO GIVE AS THE SPIRIT LEADS.

I will contribute financially to support the ministry and mission of the church as the Lord leads.

4. I AM COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

As much as lies within me, I will live peaceably with all men. Should I offend others, I am willing to be approached and corrected and will do what I can to be reconciled with those I offended. If others offend me, I will seek resolution with them in a spirit of love, following the guidelines in Matthew 18:15–17 under the supervision of the elders.

5. I AM COMMITTED TO UNITY AROUND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.

I am committed to being unified with the church in mission and vision. As much as I am able, I will serve the neighborhood of Poe Mill, share my faith, and make disciples.

6. I AM COMMITTED TO GRIGGS LEADERSHIP.

I am committed to following the leadership of the elders and deacons. I will participate in congregational voting when major decisions arise, and so long as I stay at Griggs, I will accept the decisions that are made in those meetings.

7. I AM COMMITTED TO ACCOUNTABILITY.

I am committed to pursuing my brothers and sisters in Christ should they engage in unrepentant sin, and I am committed to being pursued if I should engage in the same.

8. I AM COMMITTED TO LEAVING GRIGGS IN A LOVING, TRANSPARENT SPIRIT.

I understand that my membership at Griggs is a commitment, not a covenant, vow, or contract. Thus, I can discontinue my membership at any time I wish for any reason. However, if I decide to join a new church, I aim to leave with peace and transparency (informing others of my departure) rather than just disappearing, yet doing so without an unnecessarily critical spirit.

LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT

While leaders at Griggs…

1. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROTECTING GRIGGS' STATEMENT OF FAITH.

We are committed to exemplifying this faith. We will not allow false teachers into our leadership. Should any false teaching creep in, we will not leave it uncorrected. Furthermore, we will not allow open-handed or secondary issues to rise to the level of rrcore doctrine.

2. WE ARE COMMITTED TO FACILITATING REGULAR WORSHIP AND SERVING OPPORTUNITIES.

We are committed to facilitating worship services that magnify Jesus and spur on gospel transformation. We will lead opportunities for members to engage in Christian community and Christian service.

3. WE ARE COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING BEST PRACTICES IN HANDLING CHURCH FINANCES.

We will handle finances in a transparent, accountable, and mission-driven way.

4. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

As much as lies within the leadership, we will be peacemakers. Should members find themselves in disputes, we will commit to leading them through a biblical reconciliation process with a spirit of love, following the guidelines outlined in Matthew 18:15–17.

5. WE ARE COMMITTED TO LEADING THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN UNITY.

We are committed to leading the church to unity around our mission and vision. We will provide opportunities to serve, share your faith, and make disciples in Poe Mill.

6. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PLURALITY.

We are committed to following the leadership of our fellow leaders and submitting to one another. We will always seek to make decisions unanimously and never lead in different directions. We are committed to being unified ourselves on matters we bring before the congregation in business meetings.

7. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ACCOUNTABILITY.

We are committed to accountability for our leadership and we are committed to providing accountability for the members of our church.

8. WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE LEAVING GRIGGS.

We understand that your membership at Griggs is a commitment, not a covenant, vow, or contract. Thus, you can discontinue your membership at any time for any reason. However, we will aim to help you leave with peace and resolution. We will encourage (or help) you to find a new gospel-preaching church family as quickly as possible.

A list of Spiritual Disciplines

BIble reading & Prayer

Reading the Bible, meditating on how it applies, praying about that very thing back to God, and then waiting to see if anything from the holy spirit comes to mind. (Something to repent of, something to do, something to write down.)

Bible memorization

Take a verse that you need right now, on this day, and it becomes your mantra. Write it on a 3x5 card, or make it the background of your phone, and you say it over and over again like you’re a little kid in AWANA.

Bible study

This is where we seek to learn something specific about theology from the Bible. For example, seeking to know what the Bible says about friendship and digging into all the passages you can find on friendship.

Gratitude

Extended time in prayer or journaling thanking God for specific things.

Intercessory Prayer

This is where we make it a practice to pray specifically for someone else. And this includes praying for your enemies

Fasting

This is where you forego something, most of the time food, so that you can use that important time for prayer.

Confession

Extended time of confessing our sins, our failures, our mistakes, our frailty, our weaknesses, or temptations.

Set reminders using the daily prayer app. https://www.rethinkme.com/dailyprayer

Sabbath

This is the oldest one in the book…literally. It’s a day where you set aside an extended period of time to not work, but to talk with God, to worship God, to enjoy God’s gifts…and rest in God

Hospitality

Hospitality Is the spiritual discipline of creating space for others to be seen and heard - particularly those who are strangers to a new place - or those who are suffering, sick, or sinful.

Simplicity

This is the spiritual discipline of seeking to live with less, be content with less, live with less distraction. It’s not talked about as much as the other spiritual disciplines, but it is ALL throughout the scriptures

• 1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain... If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.”

• Luke 12:15 – “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

• 1 Thessalonians 4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

• 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Community

Counsel, conversation, accountability, and fellowship with other Christians.

Envisioning the Vision

Take a moment to slow down, quiet your heart, and imagine the vision of Griggs again…

• You walk into Griggs and see a very diverse group of people worshipping, conversing, and serving together with the familiarity of a family dinner.

• The poor, the rich, and everyone in between are mixing in a happy, hospitable environment so spirit-led a group prayer could break out at any moment.

• You go downstairs and check your child into a super fun but serious kids ministry that teaches theology as if it’s a little church within the church.

• You go upstairs to enjoy a beautifully simple service that is all about Jesus. You hear teachings about Jesus’ rich way of life for us individually and corporately and are reminded so frequently of the good news that your anxieties and frustrations dissolve under a grace that enables you to rejoice in all things, even suffering.

• You are always welcomed to Griggs Groups, that you might live in community. You have others back, and they have yours. You work together to redeem past tragedy and fight future temptations.

• You are given service pathways that help you grow in your spiritual gifting. You give knowing that everything is going to make one of the darkest areas in our city light up with good news and good deeds.

• You hear updates from the stage about other simple churches that we collaborate with and how they are making their West Side neighborhood noticeably better. We know what’s up with them because we are one. We share a network of pastors, resources, and energy throughout the Mill Crescent.

Now, ask Jesus to help us continually realize this vision and ask him to continually reveal to you your part in it.