History & Eternity: Revitalization at Woodside Baptist

Photos by IsaacCropsey.Com

In one of the hallways of Woodside Baptist Church, you’ll see a long line of golden picture frames holding portraits of former pastors who ministered in one of Greenville's most historic neighborhoods. It’s a powerful testament to the faithfulness of the church’s people and the grace of God over the church’s 120-year history.

The amazing building, which was rebuilt in 1961, feels like a portal into the neighborhood's rich history. On the walls and shelves, there are nods to the neighborhood's past and the past of the mill itself (which is now hundreds of luxury apartments).

Perhaps the era we’re most excited about, however, is the church’s most recent one: a concerted, gospel-driven effort to revitalize their church and reach their neighborhood.

Woodside Baptist Church

The church was blessed with great pastors, one of whom retired in 2020, which we all know was a very difficult season for churches. Having found themselves in a bit of a lull, but with hearts full of hope, the wonderful members of Woodside sought help with intentional revitalization over the next two years.

They connected with the Recommission Network, a ministry of Rocky Creek Baptist Church that seeks to revitalize and replant healthy congregations in the upstate. Their work has led to the revitalization of a handful of churches, with Woodside being the only one so far on the West Side.

Through their relationship with Rocky Creek, they met their current pastor, Bryce Staggs, who was working for the Recommission Network and is a perfect fit for the Woodside community, having spent a good portion of his ministry working for Miracle Hill.

In 2022, Bryce accepted the call to pastor Woodside and continue the hard work of maintaining their revitalization plan. Since then, he has guided the church through revamping several key areas of their building, as well as the ministry that takes place within them. He’s also been laser-focused on the church’s primary mission field: the Woodside neighborhood.

In 2014, Woodside was listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in South Carolina, according to the Greenville Journal. Additionally, it has been known for its high percentage of single-parent homes, which is well above the average of other neighborhoods its size.

Though the Woodside Mill, which was once the largest cotton mill in the entire world, housing more spindles than any other mill under one roof, is now modern apartments with high ceilings that rent for up to $2,500 a month, the rest of the neighborhood still has an average income well below the poverty line. In fact, neighborhoodscout.com indicates it’s on the more urgent end of the under-resourced spectrum.

Though the neighborhood faces many challenges, the people are incredible, hardworking, and willing to come together as a community. Woodside Baptist is doing a good job of cultivating that sense of community for Christ in ways both big and small.

One big way they reach out to their neighborhood is through their block parties. They’ve particularly found much success in what they call their “Back to School Bash.” “We were able to give school supplies to over 100 families!” Bryce said. “We went door to door in the Woodside community to invite families. This way, we knew that supplies were going directly to people in our community. We also had games, food, and shared the gospel with as many people as we could.”

Another big impact they’re making comes through their West Side Crisis Center, which is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:30-11:30. Struggling families in crisis can apply each month to come to the center and gather free food, clothes, and essential items. Not only do they get access to physical help, but the kind volunteers at the crisis center also offer spiritual support through conversations and prayer.

Inside the Westside Crisis Center

One of our favorite ways they serve the neighborhood, however, is a simple table outside the bus stop for the local schools. It’s a ministry opportunity for the neighborhood that they call “Blessings at the Bus Stop.”

They simply give out snacks and prizes to the neighborhood kids as they get off the school bus. This has been so successful that kids from other bus stops have started walking over as well, allowing Woodside Baptist volunteers to get to know many of the families living right around their church.

Revitalizing a historic church is not without its trials. Besides the hard work of reinvigorating their ministry, the church has held 15 funerals in the last three years. There’s a lot of excitement about all the new things going on and the refocused direction of the church, but these members who are now with Jesus are sorely missed. The church honors them, remembering that the labor of members who’ve passed was not in vain. All of it was both fruitful in its time and still fruitful now as it paved the way for a new era of gospel proclamation.

“We want to keep being a church where you can come and hear the Gospel, get into groups where you can learn more about the Gospel, and then be sent out to live the Gospel,” Pastor Bryce says.

When asked why church revitalization, especially on the West Side of Greenville, is so important, Bryce said, “The enemy would love to see nothing more than a church close its doors. God loves the people of Woodside, and so should we! If we, as a church, focus on the will of God, He will do mighty things for His glory. We will get to share the gospel and make sure that underserved families know that somebody cares about them and loves them. Our goal is ultimately to bring people into the kingdom of God.”

Bryce doesn’t have a portrait with a gold frame around it in the hall. Perhaps they’ll hang one up after he retires, or perhaps by then the tradition will have changed. But everything Woodside is doing now is being recorded in the halls of heaven because, in addition to honoring history, they are making an impact in eternity. We’re praying for them here at Griggs, and we hope you are too.

Pastor Bryce Staggs