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.
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
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.
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 list of common places people jump in. 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
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…
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!
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
Resting in the heart of the Monaghan Mill village, Textile Heritage Park stands as a powerful tribute to West Greenille’s rich mill history. This unique park is not only honor’s the legacy of old Greenville, but also provides the beauty and convenience modern Greenville is used to. We think it is key in connecting the East and West sides.
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
Check out our vision for our Summer sermon series, The Most Important Thing. The big idea is this: The most important thing about you is what you think about Jesus!
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
On Sunday, we celebrated our last Neighborhood Network of the school year with a Hawaiian luau-themed party. There was Kahoot, games, art, and pizza involved. We want to thank everyone who worked so hard to volunteer and make this whole season of Sunday nights happen! Now onto our summer activities!
A Look Back at The Palm Sunday Party
Check out these photos from our Palm Sunday Party in Poe Mill! We ate, praised, baptized, and had an Easter egg hunt.
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
Here are the commitments members make to the church and that church leadership make to the members.
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
A simple list of spiritual disciplines we’re going over during session 1 of this years Griggs retreat.
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…
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.
Community Resource Guide
This is an attempt to compile information on scores of resources available in Greenville. There’s information on organizations that can help with all sorts of things - free food, housing, mental health, veterans issues, and more.
Our friend Kirsten Windbiel from Grace Church shared this with us recently and we wanted to make it available for everyone. Clicking the image below will take you to the Community Resource Guide! (If you run into any access issues please request access or email media@griggschurch.com with your issue).
This is an attempt to compile information on scores of resources available in Greenville. There’s information on organizations that can help with all sorts of things - free food, housing, mental health, veterans issues, and more.
One hope for this document is to give you a handy way to answer questions. If you meet a homeless woman at Griggs asking about housing, you can use this guide to get her started. If a man comes to a small group and is interested in addiction recovery, there are a few options listed in the guide.
It’s just a helpful, centralized place to find addresses, phone numbers, and websites. We hope it helps us all as we love the people of West Greenville.
The Bible
Studying the Bible without considering all that Jesus accomplished would lead to empty religion. As Jesus Himself said, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39).
The Bible is God's Word, completely true and without error. Its ultimate purpose is to reveal God's plan to redeem mankind from Satan, sin, and death. The heart of this plan is found in the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—where we encounter the good news of Jesus. In a profound way, the entire Bible is about Jesus.
This doesn't mean the Bible only teaches us how to convert to Christianity. All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for doctrine, reproof correction, and instruction in righteousness. However, it does mean that the Old Testament points forward to Jesus' coming and is fulfilled in Him. The New Testament, from Acts to Jude, guides Christian living by pointing back to Jesus. And Revelation looks ahead to His second coming.
Therefore, studying the Bible without considering all that Jesus accomplished would lead to empty religion. As Jesus Himself said, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39).
So, whenever we study the Scriptures, interpret the Scriptures, or seek to apply the Scriptures to our lives, we do so through the lens of all that Jesus did and taught.
The Gospel
Anyone who confesses their sin and wholly depends on Jesus will receive salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, given to sinful humanity by His love and grace alone.
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ, God's Son, is the promised King, the Messiah. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He mercifully and justly offers full access to the Kingdom of God to all who repent of their sinful state and believe in Him. This invitation extends to everyone, including those that society often sees as abandoned by God—the outcast, the poor, the sick, the unclean, and the guilty.
Anyone who confesses their sin and wholly depends on Jesus will receive salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, given to sinful humanity by His love and grace alone. Our Salvation includes, among other benefits, being forgiven of our sins, justified before Him, and brought into a right relationship with Him. When we receive salvation, we also receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who transforms us into new creations in this life, serving as a guarantee of eternal life in God's presence.
Ultimately, after Jesus returns and executes His final judgment of the living and the dead, those who trusted Jesus in life will dwell in a new heaven and new earth, where sin and its curse will be no more.
Sammy’s Mission
Recently, on Recovery Sunday, we had David Carson from Sammy’s Mission share their ministry with us. David Carson used to be homeless, traveling between Poe Mill and City View on the West Side.
Recently, on Recovery Sunday, we had David Carson from Sammy’s Mission share their ministry with us. David Carson used to be homeless, traveling between Poe Mill and City View on the West Side. He lived in active addiction. He was eventually introduced to Miracle Hill and was able to get sober and start following Jesus.
His passion became helping other individuals do the same. He named his ministry after his best friend, Sammy Johnson, who died from his addiction. Sammy’s Mission exists so that men struggling with hopelessness and addiction experience hope, hear the Good News of God’s love, live in sobriety and serve others.
They now have multiple transition homes and have helped 83 men live in sobriety. By God’s grace, their graduate relapse rate is about 50% lower than the national average. That tells us that what they are doing is working. Praise Jesus.
Mitch and David Carson praying together at Griggs.
Poe Mill Coins
A little bit of Poe Mill history. The workers of the mill were paid, in part, with “tokens” to the mill owned convinient store. There were ups and downs to this form of compensation.
Did you know that folks who worked in Poe Mill received part of their compensation in a private money system? As part of their pay, workers would receive tokens for the Poe Mill general store.
There was some convenience to this! It was nice having a general store right in the heart of your neighborhood so that you could have consistent, direct access to essential goods.
There was also some conflict of interest in this. Being paid partially in “tokens” kept you from spending your money outside of the mill village and put your pay right back into the mill owner's pocket. Below is a photo of an old token the Mill workers would have received.
What is a Church?
“Ekklesia” is what Jesus had in mind when he said in Matthew 16:18 that he would build his “church.” He would call a group of people out of the world and to himself to continue his purposes in the world.
Our word “church” in our English Bibles often stands in for the Greek word “ekklesia,” which literally means “those who are called out.”
“Ekklesia” usually refers to a group of people coming out of the broader population and assembling together. Assembling for what? In the context of the New Testament, the answer is the worship and mission of Jesus.
“Ekklesia” is what Jesus had in mind when he said in Matthew 16:18 that he would build his “church.” He would call a group of people out of the world and to himself to continue his purposes in the world.
If we read further into the New Testament, we see Jesus and his apostles establishing this gathering in two senses. In one sense, the church is universal. All of us who worship Jesus are part of the church, no matter where we are or when we live.
For example, Ephesians 1:22–23 says, “And he [the Father] put all things under his [Jesus’] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body.” The sense of the word “church” here is universal—it speaks of all believers. The other sense in which the word church is used has to do with locality.
The New Testament speaks of, and prescribes, Christians organizing, worshipping, fellowshipping, and evangelizing based on their geography. Paul, for example, writes to the church at Colossae (Colossians), Philippi (Philippians), and Ephesus (Ephesians). Jesus, in Revelation 2–3, speaks to seven local churches in different geographies.
So, were these local churches merely places like homes (Philemon 1:2) or auditoriums (Acts 19:9–10) similar to our modern-day church buildings? No. Though gathering does require a physical place, the marks of the New Testament church were more people- and practice-oriented than they were place-oriented.
WE BELIEVE IT’S HELPFUL TO THINK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN THE TERMS OF A FAMILY.
In fact, the Scriptures often refer to the local church by using the imagery of a family, particularly using the term “household.”
The church is a household in which God is our Father and we are brothers and sisters.
Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
1 Timothy 3:15: “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
Ephesians 2:19: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
What makes a household? It’s actually not the house. It’s what the people of the house share. The household may share an identity, like a last name or a bloodline, or perhaps they share agreed-upon responsibilities, rhythms, and purposes.
It’s the same with the local church. What unites us as brothers and sisters is not just where we gather but what we share.
According to the Scriptures, here are some of the things a local church must share to be a true family:
WHAT WE SHARE THAT MAKES US FAMILY
1. A shared statement of faith on essential doctrines (Galatians 1:6–9).
2. A shared, qualified leadership of elders (pastors/shepherds) and deacons (1 Timothy 3).
3. A shared administration of the Word and sacraments (Ephesians 5:19; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26) under the authority of those elders and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 13:17).
4. A shared practice of church discipline for anyone in the church teaching heresy or living in unrepentant sin (1 Corinthians 5:2).
5. A shared, trustworthy system of receiving and distributing funds to meet the needs in the church community and fuel the mission (Acts 6).
6. A shared mission (the Great Commission) to make disciples locally and abroad (Matthew 28:19–20).
7. A shared dedication to continually discipling each other in Jesus’ ways, using our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4–7) in an effort to present every man, woman, and child mature in Christ on the last day (Colossians 1:28).
In essence, a church is not just a building or a place of worship; it is a family of local believers who are united by their shared faith in Jesus, their shared mission, and their agreement to live it out under a shared authority.
Church Fathers on Mark
Here are the quotes from early church leaders on the book of Mark which we shared recently on a Wednesday night.
Here are the quotes from early church leaders on the book of Mark which we shared recently on a Wednesday night.